Independence has a positive impact on the quality of life for seniors.1 This includes the freedom to visit family and friends, enjoy outdoor recreation, and travel. AARP reports that in 2021, 54 percent of baby boomers planned to travel during the year.2 As seniors travel, it’s important that they stay protected, no matter where they are. That’s why a GPS medical alert system that can track your exact location and send help is so useful. These mobile systems are also excellent for seniors who spend time out and about in their local community.
If you’re caring for an aging loved one who is experiencing cognitive decline due to Alzheimer’s or memory loss, a medical alert system with GPS can provide safety for your loved one and much-needed peace of mind for you. Dementia is known to be accompanied by behaviors such as wandering, disorientation, getting lost, or going missing.3 If your loved one wanders, you can locate them quickly and get them home safely with a GPS system.
System | Price | Battery life | Tracking | Fall detection available | Features |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mini Guardian | $39.95 per month | Five days | GPS; Verizon cellular; Wi-Fi | Yes | All-in-one system; lightweight, discreet design |
Mobile 2.0 | $44.95 per month | Five days | GPS; AT&T cellular; Wi-Fi | Yes | Two-piece system; flexible carrying options |
MGMove | $39.95 per month | 24 hours | GPS; AT&T cellular | No | Smartwatch system; texting capabilities, sleek design |
Call to speak with a Medical Guardian representative. Get your questions answered, products recommended, and ask about current deals and promotions.
Answer a few questions on Medical Guardian's website to get a quote on the best product and plan for you. This process is slower than calling a representative.
System | Price | Battery life | Tracking | Fall detection available | Features |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SOS Mobile | $29.95 per month | Up to 6 days | GPS; AT&T or Verizon cellular | Yes | Caregiver tracking app; all-in-one, wearable system; sleek design |
SOS Smartwatch | $34.95 per month | Up to 1 day | GPS; AT&T cellular | No | Step tracking; touchscreen; sleek watch design |
SOS All-in-One | $39.95 per month | Up to 3 days | GPS; AT&T cellular | Yes | Caregiver tracking; mobile device and help button |
Call to speak with a Bay Alarm Medical representative. Get your questions answered, products recommended, and ask about current deals and promotions.
Answer a few questions on Bay Alarm Medical's website to get a quote on the best product and plan for you. This process is slower than calling a representative.
System | Health and Safety Packages | Battery life | Tracking | Fall detection available | Features |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lively Mobile Plus | $24.99 to $34.99 per month | Three days | GPS; cellular Verizon | Yes | Waterproof help button; stand-alone alert device |
Jitterbug Smart3 | $24.99 to $34.99 per month | One day | GPS; cellular Verizon; WiFi | No | Urgent Response button; smartphone design |
Jitterbug Flip2 | $24.99 to $34.99 per month | Five days | GPS; cellular Verizon | No | Urgent Response button; flip phone design |
Lively on iPhone and Apple Watch | $24.99 to $34.99 per month | N/A | N/A | No (Fall detection is available with the Apple Watch) | Urgent Response, Urgent Care, Lively Link App |
Lively on Alexa-enabled devices | $24.99 per month | N/A | N/A | No | Urgent Response |
System | Price | Battery life | Tracking | Fall detection available | Features |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MobileHelp Solo | $37.95 per month | One day | GPS; cellular AT&T | Yes | Waterproof help button; two-piece on-the-go system |
MobileHelp Micro | $39.95 per month | One day | GPS; cellular AT&T | Yes | Weighs only 1.8 ounces; sleek and discreet |
Mobile Duo | $44.95 per month | One day | GPS; cellular AT&T | Yes | Two on-the-go systems for spouses or roommates; waterproof help button |
MobileHelp Duo | $41.95 per month | One day | GPS; cellular AT&T | Yes | At-home and on-the-go equipment; waterproof help button; in-home base station |
MobileHelp Touch Classic | $54.95 per month | One day | GPS; cellular AT&T | Yes | At-home tablet system; health and entertainment features |
MobileHelp Touch Duo | $54.95 per month | One day | GPS; cellular AT&T | Yes | At-home and on-the-go equipment for two users; health and entertainment features available on the tablet |
System | Price | Battery life | Tracking | Fall detection available | Features |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At-Home & On-the-Go | $39.95 per month | One day | GPS; cellular AT&T | Yes | At-home and on-the-go units; waterproof equipment |
At-Home & On-the-Go, VIP Active | $43.95 per month | Up to 5 days | GPS, Voice-in-Pendant | No | All-in-one mobile unit; waterproof equipment |
At-Home & On-the-Go, VIPx | $45.95 per month | Up to 16 days | GPS; cellular AT&T or Verizon | No | Sleek, lightweight device; Optional fall detection & caregiver’s app |
At-Home & On-the-Go Smartwatch Active | $49.95 per month | One day | GPS; cellular AT&T; Wi-Fi | Yes | Discreet, black smartwatch; step tracker; heart rate monitor; weather app |
We evaluated over 15 medical alert providers to find the best GPS medical alert systems for older adults. Our research, hands-on testing, and discussions with customer service reps helped us narrow down to a list of the top five best systems. Some of the most important things we considered were reliability, emergency support, price, wearability, and value for seniors. To make the cut, every provider on the list had to meet the following standards:
If you’ve decided that a medical alert system with GPS is right for you or a loved one, you might be wondering how exactly it works, and if it will fit into your lifestyle. The good news is it’s simple! There are just a few quick steps:
You’ll have a few different options for medical alert systems with GPS, so you can find a system that best fits your needs. We’ve outlined all the details below!
So, what’s the difference between an at-home and GPS medical alert system? Standard at-home medical alert systems require the user to be, you guessed it, at home to be protected. They typically include a base that is connected to an outlet and/or landline phone jack, along with a wearable help button. The subscriber can use either the help button on the base unit or their pendant to call for help during an emergency. This system is best for individuals who rarely leave their homes since they can’t be used on the go. At-home systems are also great for those who live in rural areas or locations with poor cellular service, as some models can run completely through a landline.
Medical alert systems with GPS typically include a portable device that uses a cellular connection instead of a landline. These devices can be used inside or outside the home. We recommend them for older adults who leave home often to visit friends and family or enjoy outdoor activities. They’re also a good fit for older adults who experience symptoms of dementia, like wandering, to provide tracking if they get lost or go missing. As mentioned above, some of the best medical alert systems are considered hybrid, and they bundle the at-home unit and GPS device, providing the best of both worlds.
No, even though GPS-enabled medical alert systems use cellular connectivity, you do not need your own cellular plan to use the system. The cellular connection will be provided by the company.
If you’re like me and forget your cell phone in another room or misplace it for a while, you’ll realize a cell phone doesn’t provide the same protection a medical alert system does. Since medical alert devices are worn at all times, they provide around-the-clock protection that cell phones don’t.
Medical alert system users are typically connected to a live operator within 15-45 seconds after pressing their help button.
Original Medicare does not provide coverage for medical alert systems; however, some Medicare Advantage plans and other private insurers do. Check with your insurance provider to see if they cover medical alert devices or offer any discounts to help you save.
Linda’s Acclaimed Career in Senior Care Linda Schlenker is a comforting voice for seniors and caregivers across the U.S. For nearly three decades, Linda has helped seniors remain safe in their own homes, while helping them to regain priceless independence and peace… Learn More About Linda Schlenker
Since graduating from Harvard with an honors degree in Statistics, Jeff has been creating content in print, online, and on television. Much of his work has been dedicated to informing seniors on how to live better lives. As Editor-in-Chief of the personal… Learn More About Jeff Hoyt
Ceon. (2016). The influence of activeness and independence on the quality of life of senior citizens.
AARP. (2021). Despite COVID-19 Concerns, Many Boomers Plan to Travel in 2021.
Southern Gerontological Society. (2020). Journal of Applied Gerontology.
Pew Research Center. (2019). Mobile Fact Sheet.