A friend’s aunt died after three days stuck outside, after a fall. No one knew she was hurt until well after she died. A medical alert would have made all the difference.
Alert1 is a large “personal emergency response” company that offers several types of medical alerts. With Alert1, you can get medical alert coverage at home and away from home. Their pendant includes a gyroscope and computer that automatically calls for help if you fall.
You can get a home system, an away-system, or a combination. The fall detection works for home and away, and the location detection feature helps loved ones find you should you be lost or accidentally wander.
The “Bundle” product includes all Alert1 coverage options including:
- a wearable pendant button you press for help at home
- a wearable cellular phone pendant you press for help when away from home
- fall detection technology that calls for help for you if it senses a fall
- location detection for those you designate to find you on a computerized map
Other Alert1 products contain some of these features, but only the Bundle offers complete coverage.
This is the Alert1 medical alert package I’d get for my mother. You can view the Bundle on the Alert1 website here.
Alert1 Corporate Information
Alert1 is headquartered at 1000 Commerce Park Drive, Williamsport, PA, 17701-5400. The Alert1 emergency operators are stationed throughout the United States.
Alert1 is registered with the Better Business Bureau. They have an A+ rating. You can read their BBB profile here (opens in a new window): Alert1 on BBB.
Alert1 Medical Alerts (aka Personal Emergency Response Systems)
Alert1 is a medical alert device service that offers Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS). A PERS is just another way to say “medical alert.”
The Alert1 plans offer unlimited connections to the operations center. To call for help, you press the button on your pendant or .
Use the Callbox and Pendant for Home Coverage
With the home system, you use the pendant button to activate the callbox. So long as you are within 600 ft. of the callbox, you can have a 2-way conversation with Alert1. The callbox has strong microphones and a loud speaker.
The home pendant is waterproof so there’s no need to take it off in the shower or bath.
Use a Mobile Pendant for Away-from-Home Coverage
With the mobile system, you also use the pendant button, but it works differently than the home medical alert.
The mobile medical alert is a dedicated phone connection to the Alert1 operations center. When you press the pendant button, the device calls Alert1, and it acts as a phone connection between you and the operator.
So long as you have a signal from the cellular phone service assigned to your device, then you are “within range” of getting help. Alert1 uses Verizon and AT&T, and the cell signal is included in your monthly fee.
The mobile pendant is a bit clunkier than the home pendant, but it is waterproof.
How Alert1 Uses the Phone Network to Communicate
The home coverage device works with your landline or a cell signal that Alert1 provides. You make the choice of which network connection type you want when you are purchasing your coverage.
Your home coverage uses landline or cellular to communicate with Alert1. The mobile coverage always uses cellular service.
Fall Detection Automatically Calls for Help
“Fall detection” automatically calls for help when it detects that the user has fallen down. Just be aware that no fall detection system is perfect.
Alert1 sometimes offers a wrist button with their medical alerts. If you choose fall detection, you should use the pendant rather than the wrist button.
This is because they put the gyroscope and computer that detects falls in the pendant. When you move, a pendant moves more than a wrist strap.
Fall detection is available in home and mobile medical alert products.
Location Detection for Wandering Recovery
This feature is for caregivers and first responders who need to find the medical alert owner. “Location detection” uses the GPS signal in your mobile medical alert to give your location to an Alert1 operator.
Caregivers use this information to find wanderers.
First Responders Use Lock Box to Enter Your Home
Alert1 offers a Lock Box with its medical alert packages. You put your house key inside the lock box, then program the lock box combination. You give the lock box combination to Alert1 to put on file.
Based on your instructions on file, Alert1 can give the combination to caregivers or emergency personnel.
Without this access, emergency personnel might have to break into your home in order to help you.
How the Alert1 Medical Alert Works at Home
Below you see the steps for getting help using an Alert1 call box.
- You press your pendant or wrist button, sending an activation signal to the callbox.
- Or, you have “fall detection,” and the pendant senses a fall, it automatically activates the callbox.
- The callbox calls Alert1.
- You and Alert1 communicate through the callbox microphone and speaker.
- Alert1 calls your caregivers or emergency services. Who they call depends on your situation and your instructions on file.
- You can pre-authorize Alert1 to give first responders the combination to your lockbox so that they have easier access to your home.
How Alert1 Medical Alert Coverage Works Away from Home
- You press your mobile pendant button, opening communication with an Alert1 operator
- Or, you have “fall detection,” and the pendant senses a fall, it automatically calls Alert1 for you.
- You and Alert1 communicate through the mobile pendant.
- Alert1 calls your caregivers or emergency services. Who they call depends on your situation and your instructions on file.
Alert1 Has a Default Emergency Mode
Alert1 knows that you might summon for help but not be able to talk. If you initiate a call but do not speak, Alert1 will send emergency help. The default is to assume you are having an emergency that is preventing you from talking.
The Alert1 operator sends emergency personnel or caretakers to your home, depending on your written instructions on file.
Alert1 Product Profiles
| Alert1 Medical Alert Options | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Feature | Home | On-the-Go | Home + On-the-Go Bundle |
| Home Call Box | Included | N/A | Included |
| Home Landline | Included | N/A | Included |
| Home Cell Connection | Optional instead of landline | N/A | Optional instead of landline |
| Home Pendant | Included | N/A | Home pendant has 600 ft range; On-the-Go pendant has cellular signal range; both are waterproof |
| Home Pendant Range | 600 ft. from the callbox | N/A | 600 ft. from the callbox |
| Home Pendant Waterproof | Included | N/A | Included |
| Home Fall Detection | Included | N/A | Included |
| Mobile Pendant | N/A | Included | N/A |
| Mobile Pendant Range | N/A | So long as there is a cellular signal, you are in range | So long as there is a cellular signal, you are in range |
| Mobile Pendant Waterproof | N/A | Included | Included |
| Mobile Fall Detection | N/A | Included | Included |
| Mobile Cellular Signal | N/A | Included | Included |
| Mobile Location Detection | N/A | Optional Upgrade | Optional Upgrade |
Alert1 Home and Away Medical Alert Options
- View the Alert1 Bundle with home and away coverage, fall detection, and location detection at Alert1.com
- View the Alert1 On-the-Go Mobile with away coverage, fall detection, and location detection at Alert1.com
- View the Alert1 In-Home with home coverage and fall detection at Alert1.com
The Bundle is the Complete Protection Product
The Home + On-the-Go Bundle is a combination of both the home and the mobile medical alerts. It’s in the name: The Alert1 On-the-Go and Home Fall Detection Bundle.
The Bundle includes the home callbox and pendant, and the mobile communication pendant. Both pendants can detect falls and automatically call for help. The mobile unit has Location Detection for family to find wandering loved ones.
The Bundle is the Alert1 I’d get for my mom. Go to the Alert1 Bundle at Alert1.com.
