![]() The up-front cost is high for a cellular-enabled watch at about $500, but monthly plans typically cost only around $10 a month (excluding the cost of an iPhone and its monthly cellular service). You can use an Apple Watch only if you have an iPhone to pair it with (though that phone can belong to a member of your family or household). If you have an iPhone and don’t need live operators on standby: The Apple Watch Series 8 isn’t a medical alert system per se, since it doesn’t have dedicated agents standing by, but it does allow you to easily call emergency services via voice command (“Hey Siri, call 911”). It’s important to know that GPS-enabled cellular-connected medical alert systems should be at least 4G LTE older models are no longer supported. No landline required: Though some people may prefer landline-compatible options at home, many no longer have landlines, so we focused on models that operate through a cellular connection (which doesn’t mean that you must have a cellular plan with that provider, just that you receive good service in your area).That said, it’s useful for many people, so we looked for models that offered this feature. Fall detection: Fall detection is not 100% accurate on any device, and it often comes with an extra fee.Aesthetically pleasing and discreet appearance: Many people do not want devices that look like, well, medical alert devices, so we prioritized options that looked discreet or resembled a smartwatch.Clear and up-front pricing: Confusing pricing structures are unfortunately a hallmark of the medical alert industry, so we prioritized companies that were up front about their fees and offered flexible contracts.Decent range: We sought home-based devices that had a range of at least 300 feet-preferably 600 feet-so that a person could still call for help using their wearable device when they’re in a different room from the base unit.Good call quality and adjustable volume: We looked for devices that would be loud enough to hear from another room.Accurate GPS capabilities: Particularly for on-the-go devices, it’s crucial that the GPS is accurate when pinpointing the wearer’s exact location (though many devices still do not guarantee GPS capabilities with 100% accuracy).We looked for warranties of at least a year. Responsive customer service and a good warranty: We prioritized companies that had live, human customer service agents who were easy to reach, interested in resolving the problem, and able to offer accessible support over the phone.Simple setup: We looked for medical alert systems that were intuitive to get up and running, including basic tasks like unboxing the device and charging it.Easy to use: We prioritized medical alert systems that had buttons that were intuitive and easy to press and that would be accessible to those with dexterity issues, even during an emergency.Compassionate emergency operators: We wanted companies with live agents who were helpful, kind, and patient with anyone who called-especially for those who may need technical support.The one-time setup fee-$299 if you do the monthly plan or $199 if you go with the annual plan-is one of the highest of the medical alert systems we tested.We also saw complaints in online reviews indicating that the process of snapping the batteries into the wristband was physically difficult for those with fine motor issues. The batteries last for 24 to 36 hours, so the company recommends doing this daily, which could be challenging for someone with memory loss to do. When the batteries in the watch lose charge, you’re supposed to swap them out for the fully charged batteries, which you can do without removing the watch from your wrist. The watch comes with four lithium ion batteries, two of which can always be charging in the included battery charger. Changing the batteries in the device may be challenging for some people with memory issues or limited dexterity.But you can call the company and ask a customer service representative to adjust the device’s sensitivity. The Kanega Watch’s fall-detection and voice-recognition technology can be too sensitive, leading to false alarms.
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