Medical Alert Bracelets: Where Safety Meets Style

By Maria Basso Lipani, LCSW
© 2008-2010

Summary: Medical alert bracelets make it possible for those who cannot reach a phone to summon emergency services into their home when needed. There are beaded medical alert bracelets and medical alert bracelets for men too.  Although many seniors are reluctant to utilize this type of device it can bring peace of mind if given the chance – not just to the person who wears it, but to his or her family.

Dear Maria: My mother is 84 and gets around well, but recently she fell in her home.  Because she couldn’t reach the phone, she was on the floor for almost 12 hours before her neighbor who has the key was able to get to her and call for an ambulance. By then she was pretty weak and somewhat disoriented.  She spent two days in the hospital.  She’s been home a few days now and I think it’s a good time to talk to her about one of those medical alert bracelets. Do they come in various styles or is there just one type?  Also, what is the cost and what’s involved in the installation process? Frank, Ridgewood, NJ

Dear Frank: Gone are the days when medical alert bracelets came in only one fashion.  These days, stylish medical alert bracelets – ones with beads and ones made with precious metals – are fairly easy to find online.  I have no doubt that you’ll be able to help your mom pick one that she’ll like.

With regard to the installation process, it’s all very straightforward.  First you choose which vendor you want to use.  When you call the vendor they will set up an appointment for a technician to come to your mother’s home to connect the base unit to the phone system.  The base allows the emergency technician to communicate with your mother if the button is pressed. However, if the button is pressed and your mother does not respond, an ambulance is typically sent right away.

Those who have medical alert bracelets are typically charged an installation fee and a monthly service charge.  The installation shouldn’t cost more than $50 and the monthly charge will likely run you around $35.