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Bay Alarm’s wide range of equipment options, reliable monitoring, and quick response are the reasons it’s our top picks for diabetics.
Updated February 15, 2026
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Bay Alarm Medical is our choice for the best medical alert system for diabetics. They offer multiple products for different lifestyles, including pendants and smartwatches.
Medical Guardian offers some of the best on-the-go medical alert systems for diabetics, including a smartwatch with a Reminders feature and GPS.
Lively’s mobile phones are ideal for anyone who’s not a fan of pendants and smartwatches. You can choose between a flip phone and a smart device similar to a smartphone.
More than 38 million Americans are living with diabetes — that's about 11.6 percent of the U.S. population.1 The condition is especially prevalent among adults aged 65 and older, with roughly one in five having a diagnosis. Managing diabetes requires constant vigilance that medical alert systems can help with. They provide support during daily routines and can provide an emergency response when blood sugar levels spike or drop unexpectedly.
After researching and testing over 35 medical alert systems, we narrowed down the top four that can support people with diabetes. Bay Alarm Medical offers the best in-home and on-the-go solutions, with bases that cover up to 1,000 feet and pendant batteries that last up to 72 hours. Let’s go through our top picks to find the best one for your lifestyle.
Bay Alarm Medical offers systems that are easy for everyone to use, including people with diabetes. The base units cover up to 1,000 feet, pendant batteries last up to 72 hours on a single charge, and fall protection is available with every device. No matter where you experience a hypoglycemic episode, Bay Alarm's monitoring team is ready to respond 24/7.>> Read More: Bay Alarm Medical 2026 Review
Bay Alarm Medical takes our top spot because it caters to people with diabetes who are homebound and those who stay active. The SOS Home medical alert system features a base unit that connects via landline and cellular networks. You wear the button around your neck or on your wrist. One press of the button and you’re connected to the 24/7 emergency monitoring station.
FYI: The base unit plugs into an outlet but also has a 32-hour backup battery in case there’s a power outage.
The home system also comes with a handy wall button. You can place it in the bathroom or near the stairs. We recommend positioning it close to the floor in case you fall. This way you can reach the button and call for help even if you’re unable to stand.
Unboxing our Bay Alarm Medical base station.
For on-the-go protection, Bay Alarm Medical has multiple devices available. We tested the All-in-One pendant that hangs around your neck or clips to a belt, and the SOS Micro, which can sit on your wrist like a watch. But if you want a smart watch, Bay Alarm Medical has that too.
All three products have two-way speakers and an SOS button for easy access to the monitoring center. You can also pay an extra $10 per month for fall detection. We recommend adding it as people with diabetes face an increased risk of falling due to complications like neuropathy and vision problems. If you regularly experience numbness or pain, you won’t need to stress about calling for help during a fall.
| Connectivity | Landline and cellular |
|---|---|
| Fall Detection | $10/month |
| In-home Range | Up to 1,000 feet |
| Battery Backup | Up to 32 hours |
| GPS Option | Yes |
| Money-back Guarantee | 15-day |
Medical Guardian stands out as our top choice for people with diabetes seeking reliable protection through a smartwatch. The MGMove operates on AT&T 4G LTE networks and offers optional fall detection alongside practical apps like Reminders and Messages. It remains one of the most advanced medical alert smartwatches available.
Medical Guardian offers a similar product range to Bay Alarm Medical. In fact, the MGMove uses the same hardware as Bay Alarm’s SOS Smartwatch. What sets them apart are Medical Guardian’s add-on features.
Medical Guardian’s base pricing doesn’t include fall detection, but you can add it for $10 per month. We believe it’s worth the investment, especially if you opt for the MGMove. It uses multiple types of sensors to more accurately detect real falls while avoiding false alarms. During our fall simulation tests, the monitoring center always responded within 20 seconds.
Our tester checking out the apps on the MGMove smartwatch
For an additional $5 monthly, you can download Social Circle apps onto the watch. We paid for this feature and tested both the Reminders and Messaging apps. The Reminders app proved especially valuable for those manually managing hypoglycemia who need to take medication or consume carbohydrates at regular intervals.
FYI: Medical Guardian wearable devices are some of our favorite medical alert systems. Our MGMini uploads hourly location updates. These updates can help caretakers track their loved ones’ movements.
| Connectivity | Landline, cellular, and Wi-fi |
|---|---|
| Fall Detection | $10/month |
| In-home Range | Up to 1,400 feet |
| Battery Backup | Up to 36 hours |
| GPS Option | Yes |
| Money-back Guarantee | None |
Not everyone loves carrying around devices. You might already need to bring blood glucose monitors or insulin pens with you, leaving little pocket space for anything else. Lively can replace your cellular phone with a built-in urgent response button and a GPS, so the emergency team can locate you no matter where you are.
Lively offers a wearable device similar to Medical Guardian’s MGMOve, but we picked them for their mobile phones with accessible design and useful features. The Jitterbug Flip2 is perfect for anyone who’s not tech-savvy. It has a huge screen, large keypad, and big red button for emergencies.
For those who are more comfortable with technology, we recommend the Jitterbug Smart4. It works similarly to modern smartphones and includes helpful features for managing diabetes. We used it to set medical reminders for insulin doses and blood sugar checks, track daily fitness activities, and play brain games to help keep our cognitive function sharp.
>> Read More: Lively 2026 Review
We think the Jitterbug Smart4 is the best Lively phone for people with diabetes.
Expert Insight: We recommend connecting your phones to Alexa, especially if you’re experiencing vision or hearing loss due to your condition. Instead of tapping through menus, you can use voice commands to make calls, send texts, and access information on your phone.
Regardless of the device you choose, the real value comes from Lively’s plans. Prices range from just $14.99 (Basic) to $49.99 (Premium) per month, and all give you 24/7 access to Ask Lively operators. However, you’ll need at least the Preferred plan that starts at $24.99 per month to use your device as a real medical alert system. The Premium plan adds access to an on-call nurse who can fill prescriptions, which can be particularly beneficial for those with diabetes in case you ever run low on Insulin.
| Connectivity | Cellular and Wi-Fi |
|---|---|
| Fall Detection | $9.99 per month |
| In-home Range | N/A |
| Battery Backup | Up to 40 hours |
| GPS Option | Yes |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30-day |
LifeStation offers devices primarily for seniors. Therefore, they are easy to use for many people, including those with diabetes. The equipment is also reliable. LifeStation offers a home medical alert system and two wearables for people who stay active or enjoy getting out and about.
LifeStation made our list because of its TMA Five Diamond certified monitoring center. We like having the peace of mind that trained agents respond at the push of a button with a personalized emergency plan. They can even follow preferences for notifying contacts.
We also trust the devices for people managing diabetes. Diabetes-related complications like diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy can increase fall risk and emergency situations like cardiac events and strokes. With LifeStation’s waterproof equipment and two-way speakers, we always found it easy to connect to the monitoring center when needed.
FYI: LifeStation equipment uses three methods to detect falls. The devices feature accelerometers, barometric sensors, and an algorithm to tell if you have fallen or dropped the product.
Testing out our LifeStation Sidekick before we head outside.
Where LifeStation shines is with their on-the-go systems. One of our favorite features is the GPS tracking. With unintentional falls on the rise, particularly with older adults, pinpointing your location can help emergency responders reach you faster.2
>> Keep Reading: Best Medical Alert Systems with Fall Detection
Another highlight is the Sidekick’s five-day battery life. It seems like our phone is always running empty. But with Sidekick, we don’t have to remember to charge it daily.
| Connectivity | Cellular and Wi-Fi |
|---|---|
| Fall Detection | Yes |
| In-home Range | Up to 600 feet |
| Battery Backup | Up to 76 hours |
| GPS Option | Yes |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30-day |
We believe the only way to give you reliable recommendations is by testing medical alert systems ourselves. Our team spent several months assessing over 35 devices to see if they were a good fit for people with diabetes. The testers looked at criteria like monitoring center response time, fall detection accuracy, and cellular connectivity.
We considered multiple factors when choosing and ranking the best medical alert systems for people with diabetes. Additional criteria included:
Our focus for this guide was to review and test medical alert systems for people with diabetes. All assessments were conducted by senior care experts with over 50 years of combined industry experience. We also consulted with diabetes experts and interviewed real customers to understand what they need and how they use their products.
An estimated 150 million emergency department visits over a 10-year period included a diabetes diagnosis.3 When emergencies occur, a medical alert device is a lifesaver. The risks of falls are high for people with diabetes due to low blood sugar.
If you experience blurred vision, dizziness, and weakness, you can press a button on a pendant, smartwatch, or phone to get immediate help. Here are a few more ways diabetes increases fall risk:
Living with diabetes means managing multiple health challenges. But medical alert systems provide an important layer of protection. You have the peace of mind knowing these devices instantly alert monitoring centers or a loved one. They can also support you in other ways, including:
Our MGMove offers weather updates and reminders even while it’s charging.
Living with diabetes means staying vigilant about your health every day. While not all medical alert systems might be suitable in supporting your condition, these four offer the best features to help you live independently with a greater peace of mind. If medical alert systems weren’t on your radar before, now’s the time to invest in one to improve your health and quality of life.
We recommend choosing devices with fall detection, GPS tracking, and that use reliable cellular networks. Other useful features include medication reminders, telehealth access, and waterproof devices. A long battery life is also useful.
Some medical alert systems let you schedule medication reminders to stay on schedule. They reduce the risk of missing doses and help maintain steady blood sugar levels.
Wearable devices provide freedom to move and travel outside of the home. Meanwhile, home-based systems are ideal if you spend most of your time around the house. In this case, we suggest choosing a device with a high range so you always stay connected to the home base.
In our tests, we typically connected to monitoring centers within 30 seconds after pressing the button or simulating a fall.
Many medical alert systems are designed with seniors in mind. They feature large buttons and a minimalist design. The devices can be worn as pendants or wristbands so they are always in reach.
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SingleCare Team. (2025). Diabetes statistics 2025.
https://www.singlecare.com/blog/news/diabetes-statistics/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Common injuries as we age.
https://www.cdc.gov/still-going-strong/about/common-injuries-as-we-age.html
Dickson, M. C., & Skrepnek, G. H. (2024). Hospitalization and health resource utilization in emergency department cases of diabetic foot infections in the U.S. from 2012 to 2021: A nationally representative analysis.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11432337/
