Best Medical Alert Systems Worn as Watches

Medical Guardian’s MGMove resembles Samsung’s Galaxy Smartwatch in appearance. It features a round face, 1.25 inches in diameter. It’s not too bulky, but the screen is large enough. Many will also appreciate its techy, fashion-forward look. The one-time cost for the watch is $199.95. You can read our full review of the Medical Guardian MGMove for more details.

The MGMove offers the safety features that we have come to expect in quality on-the-go medical alert systems. This includes 24/7 access to a TMA Five Diamond monitoring center, two-way talk with a monitoring center agent, GPS location detection, and caregiver location tracking through the My Guardian portal or app. It has a 24-hour battery life, which is typical for most medical alert watches.

Additional smartwatch features, like a weather app and step tracker, are also included in the monthly monitoring fee of $39.95 per month. And for an additional $5 per month, you can access the Social Circle Apps. The first is the Reminders App which enables you or a loved one to set up reminders for medications, appointments and other events. The second app is the Message App, which enables real-time chats with caregiver contacts through text or voice recordings.

The WellBe Smartwatch by HandsFree Health is one of the best smartwatches on the market for seniors. It is a versatile medical alert smartwatch that offers exceptional day-to-day support. Plus, the WellBe smartwatch is stylish and discreet with a large face and high-resolution display. No one will even know that you are wearing a medical alert device.

Plus, the WellBe smartwatch is stylish and discreet. The design is reminiscent of the Apple Watch, with its rounded rectangular face and curved edges. The screen is large but discreet — a result of the rectangular face — so no one will even know that you are wearing a medical alert device.

In addition to access to a TMA Five Diamond Certified monitoring center, the WellBe Smartwatch offers a number of easy-to-use safety features found in other medical alerts worn as smartwatches. This includes two-way talk, GPS location detection, a rechargeable, 24-hour battery, and a pedometer. It also offers two unique features: a heart rate monitor and the ability to access information from a curated health database. Finally, it also offers in-app medication and appointment reminders and caregiver notifications.

The cost of the WellBe Smartwatch is $119.95. While this may hit some older adults in the pocketbook hard, we have seen higher prices for other on-the-go devices with advanced features, and we have seen much higher prices for other mainstream smartwatches. The monthly monitoring fee is $29.95.

Before we start, we need to let you know that the Lively Wearable has been discontinued, and it’s no longer available for purchase on Lively’s website. That said, you can still find it in some retail stores, and frankly, it’s still one of the best medical alert watches, so we’ve decided to keep the Wearable information posted here.

The Lively Wearable offers a simple way for seniors to stay safe while on the go. This emergency alert button can be worn as a watch. After downloading the Lively App, the Lively Wearable works with the Lively Jitterbug Smart3 or with your own smartphone, which becomes like a mobile medical alert device, connecting you to the monitoring center whenever you need it.

The Lively Wearable features a sleek, discreet design, and it never requires any charging. The extended battery life lasts a whopping four months, and a replacement battery is included, a reason Lively was named one of our best medical alert devices overall.

The Lively Wearable also includes a step tracker and daily health tips. The Lively Link App (as opposed to the Lively App) offers caregiver benefits (if you choose the middle or higher tier pricing package explained below) including location detection and alerts sent after a loved one has pressed the emergency help button.

The Lively Wearable also comes with automatic fall detection — sort of. As we mentioned earlier, fall detection works best when the device is worn around the neck rather than on the wrist. To accommodate this, the Lively Wearable comes with a lanyard to which it can be attached.

You are required to purchase the equipment, which is just $49.95, making it one of the more affordable medical alert watches on the market. To cover monthly monitoring, Lively offers a tiered pricing system. The Basic Package, which covers monthly monitoring only, costs $24.95 per month, a competitive rate for on-the-go systems. The Preferred Package costs $29.95 and covers monthly monitoring, the telehealth service, and the Lively Link App, which provides extra services to caregivers. The Ultimate Package includes everything in the Preferred Package plus fall detection. It costs $39.95 per month. Finally, take note that Lively charges a $35 activation fee.

Learn more about the costs associated with Lively systems on our full Lively medical alert pricing page.

The Apple Watch is one of the slickest smartwatches on the market. Apple is well-known for producing some of the best technology available, and the Apple Watch is no exception.  Apple Watches have the appeal of universal design. In other words, they are made for everyone, and this eliminates stigma. They’re also compatible with lots of smart home and electronic devices around your home. See our list of the best security systems that work with Apple for more on how the industry-leading brand can help you stay safe in your home. And, don’t forget to visit our complete guide to home safety, accessibility, and security.

Although not designed specifically as a medical alert device, the Apple Watch can be used as one. The emergency SOS Alert feature on the Apple Watch allows seniors to connect with the press of a button to family members, caregivers or emergency responders in case of an emergency. Emergency SOS can also send your current location to emergency responders. In addition, the Apple Watch has a heart monitor and sends both high and low heart rate notifications.

The watch also offers fall detection which needs to be enabled by the user. If the watch detects a fall followed by no movement, you will receive an alert. If you don’t respond, Apple Watch will tap your wrist, sound an alarm, and call emergency services.

Let’s talk about a few Apple Watch features not found on other medical alert devices including other medical alert watches. First, it is designed to be used in the pool or even the ocean up to 50 meters. This is great coverage for an older adult. (For more on waterproof devices, read our review of the Best Waterproof Medical Alert Systems.) The latest version also offers access to a blood oxygen app and an ECG app for irregular heartbeat monitoring and notifications. And importantly, the Apple Watch includes functions that some expect from a smartwatch: the ability to call, text, and search the internet. This is not the case with other medical alert watches.

Where the Apple Watch falls short when compared to other medical alert watches is first, the battery life. While others have a battery life of 24 hours or longer, the Apple Watch has a battery life of 18 hours. This means that you will be unprotected for part of each 24-hour period, most likely at night while the watch is charging. And this is a time that a fall or other medical emergency could take place. Most importantly, the Apple Watch is not a monitored medical alert. Therefore, you will not have the assistance of a trained associate available 24/7, and vital health information will not be immediately available to emergency personnel.

Because the Apple Watch does not use a monitored response center, you will not need to pay a monthly fee. (Of course, you will be paying monthly fees on text, talk and data.) The upfront equipment fee, however, will be quite a bit more expensive than what you will find with other medical alert watches. Apple’s newest offering, the Apple Watch Series 8 starts at $399.