Seven questions, in the order families actually run into them. Answer these and the shortlist usually picks itself.
This decides everything. Pendant, wristband, or watch — let the wearer choose the form. A device in a drawer protects no one. If a pendant feels like a stigma, go straight to the watches page.
Home systems with a base station are cheapest but stop at the yard. Mobile (GPS/cellular) systems work anywhere with cell coverage — the right choice for walkers, drivers, and gardeners.
Consider it if the wearer has fallen before, gets dizzy, lives alone, or might not be able to press a button. Budget the typical $10/mo add-on, and remember it doesn't catch every fall.
Monitored = a person answers, triages, knows the address and lockbox code, and stays on the line. Unmonitored = no monthly bill, and none of that. See the trade-offs.
Bathrooms are where falls happen. The device must be wearable in the shower, and its charging routine must fit real life — multi-day batteries or swappable batteries beat daily charging for most seniors.
Add it up: equipment + activation + (monthly × 12) + fall detection + protection plan. Then ask about contracts, cancellation, and return windows in writing. Reputable providers are month-to-month with a 30-day return window.
Frame it as your peace of mind, not their frailty — "this is so I can sleep at night." Involve the wearer in picking the device; people wear what they chose. Set up a monthly test call together.
