Medical alert systems provide an important service for seniors and those who are disabled who want to maintain independence while ensuring they can get emergency assistance when needed. As a leading provider of medical alert devices for over 15 years, Medical Guardian offers a range of products to meet different needs.
In this detailed Medical Guardian review, we’ll cover everything you need to know about their medical alert systems including available equipment, features, monthly fees, reliability, and customer service. By the end, you’ll have the information to decide if Medical Guardian is the right medical alert option for your needs and budget.
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read) – which Medical Guardian Product is right for me?
When choosing a Medical Guardian medical alert system, there are a few key factors to consider to find the right option for your needs and lifestyle:
If you have spotty cell service but a reliable landline, the Classic Guardian is a good fit. This in-home system has a base station that connects to your landline so you can get help even if cell coverage is lacking.
For those who spend significant time outdoors around their home and don’t have a landline, the Home 2.0 is recommended. It has the longest range in the industry at 1,300 feet, allowing you to access help from anywhere on your property.
If you want a mobile medical alert option but don’t want a large pendant around your neck, Mobile 2.0 is a more discreet choice. The small, lightweight help button can be carried in a pocket or purse without being noticeable.
For active, on-the-go individuals who want fall detection, the MG Mini is ideal. This lightweight mobile device has built-in fall detection while remaining easy to wear and use on the go.
Lastly, if you like the look and features of a smartwatch, the Medical Guardian MGMove Smartwatch provides medical alert capabilities in a stylish wrist-worn design.
Consider your lifestyle, cell and landline access, desire for fall detection, and wearable preferences to choose the right Medical Guardian system for you.
Overview of Medical Guardian Products
Medical Guardian provides both in-home and on-the-go medical alert systems to ensure protection whether you’re at home or out running errands. These products range from home-units that sync to a wrist band or necklace, allowing the user to call for help wherever they might be in and around their home, to mobile devices that allow for coverage when you’re out and about.
In-Home Medical Alert Systems
The core of Medical Guardian’s offerings are the in-home medical alert systems. These consist of a base station connected to a landline at home and a portable help button that can be worn as a wristband or pendant.
When the help button is pressed, a signal is sent to the 24/7 monitoring center to dispatch emergency assistance. An agent will talk to the user through the base station to determine what help is needed and contact EMTs, fire/police, or family as appropriate.
Medical Guardian has two main in-home system options:
– Medical Guardian Classic – The original medical guardian device connects a base station to your landline, and relies on a wrist or pendant style satellite device which the user carries on their person around the home. You can customise your plan with additional wall buttons and water-proof fall detection devices.
– Medical Guardian Home 2.0 – Medical Guardian’s newest home device adds 4G technology, 32-hour backup batteries and voice assist technology , which makes it the most advanced system of it’s kind.
On-The-Go Medical Alert Systems
Medical Guardian also offers mobile solutions for those who are regularly away from home. These on-the-go medical alert systems include:
– MGMini – A small, mobile help button that comes in multiple colours to suit the active, independent user. The MGMini can be clipped to clothes and accessories, or it can be worn as a pendant. Like the other on-the-go systems, the MGMini works nationwide through AT&T cellular. Includes GPS location tracking.
– MGMini Lite – The MGMini reimagined as a sleek watch-style wearable button, for the design conscious user.
– MG Move – A cut above, the MG Move is a fully functioning smart watch with a whole host of features, from voice to text, enabling chat with loves ones, to step counting and weather readings.
All options provide protection when out of the house with the ability to trigger an emergency call from anywhere.
Medical Guardian pricing
Medical Guardian offers a range of products to cater to varying needs, all at competitive prices. The Classic Guardian, priced at $29.95 per month, is a budget-friendly option for at-home use with a landline connection. On the other hand, the Home 2.0, Mini Guardian, MGMove Smartwatch, and MGMini Lite offer more mobility with cellular and GPS connections, priced between $37.95 and $44.95 per month. While there are no equipment fees for the Classic Guardian, the other products have a one-time equipment fee ranging from $149.95 to $199.951.
Medical Guardian Add-on equipment pricing
For a detailed review of Medical Guardians costs, visit our explainer here.
There are also a number of add-ons which can significantly change the functionality of your Medical Guardian Package:
| Add-on Equipment | Cost | Features and Functionality |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless Wall Button | $2.99 per month | – Indoor help button with up to 500-foot range – Wirelessly connects to the monitoring center |
| Additional Alert Pendants | $2.99 per month per pendant | – Water-resistant help button – Bracelet or necklace wearable options |
| Entryway Key Lockbox | $2.99 per month | – Provides secure access to keys for first responders – Allows home access in an emergency if you can’t get to the door |
| Voice-Activated Wall Button | $4.99 per month | – Hands-free help button activated by voice – Can call monitoring center with voice or button push |
| Automatic Fall Detection | $10 per month | – Detects falls and automatically contacts monitoring center – No need to push button after a fall |
| OnGuard Alerts | $2.99 per month | – Sends text/email alerts to chosen contacts after an emergency |
| Protection Plan | $6.99 per month | – Provides free replacements for damaged equipment – Includes unlimited battery replacements |
| Elite 911 | $9.99 per month | – Speaker box connects directly to 911 – Enables two-way talk with 911 operator – Uses any available cell network |
| Support Circle Apps | $5 per month | – Lets you communicate with loved ones in the app – Schedule reminders and share updates |
Reliability and Speed of Emergency Response
The most important factor for a medical alert system is being able to quickly and reliably get help when you press your alert button. Based on numerous customer reviews and tests, Medical Guardian performs well in this regard.
Their medical alert systems have an average response time of 43 seconds, which is on par for the industry.
The fall detection feature also gets high marks for accuracy in detecting falls and automatically placing calls. Location tracking allows the agents to direct emergency responders right to the user’s location.
For in-home systems, the 600-1300 foot range from the base station provides ample coverage for most homes. The Mobile Guardian help button works nationwide using AT&T’s cellular network. But there can be some occasional gaps in coverage if in a rural location.
Overall, Medical Guardian systems provide reliable emergency response and fast call times based on actual customer usage over the years. But reliability can vary a bit depending on cellular coverage in your area.
Reviews of Medical Guardian Customer Service
Medical Guardian gets mixed reviews when it comes to their customer service and support. Monitoring agents tend to be responsive and helpful when placing emergency calls. But experiences with account representatives can vary.
Positive reviews cite friendly knowledgeable reps when signing up and making account changes. But a number of complaints cite long hold times, trouble getting questions answered, and a pushy sales approach to upgrade plans.
The overall sentiment seems to be that customer service is fine for emergency monitoring needs but can lack for general account management. It’s relatively easy to set up an account initially and make upgrades but harder to get support after that.
Installation is fairly straightforward with the option for professional installation at an added cost. Returns and cancellations can incur some fees so it helps to verify policies upfront before committing.
Pros and Cons of Medical Guardian
Here is an overview of some of the main pros and cons to weigh when considering Medical Guardian:
Pros
– Wide range of both in-home and on-the-go products
– Built-in fall detection on higher tier plans
– No long term contracts required
– Reliable emergency response times
– Professional U.S.-based monitoring centers
Cons
– Monthly fees higher than some competitors
– Mixed experiences with customer service responsiveness
– Potential gaps in cellular coverage outside the home
– Pushy upselling tactics reported
Medical Guardian review – conclusion and recommendation
Medical Guardian is one of the top medical alert systems for a reason. Their products offer reliable emergency response through well-equipped monitoring centers. They give you flexibility between in-home or mobile solutions. And features like automatic fall detection provide extra protection.
The main downsides are the relatively high monthly fees and some inconsistent customer support. But for basic emergency medical alert capabilities with no long term commitment, Medical Guardian delivers solid performance. They’re a great option for older adults who value reliable monitoring and response.
