It’s vital to be able to call for help quickly if you fall, or need assistance for any other reason. In our digital age, many people rely on their cell phones to serve as their emergency support device. However, even though you think that you always have your phone on you, that’s not always the case. You might have placed your phone on the table or countertop and be unable to reach it from the floor, or fall in the shower when your phone isn’t handy.
That's why you need to have a mobile help button that you can wear on your person so that it's always to hand no matter where you are or what you're doing. Being able to call for help in an emergency can be a matter of life and death.
It's important to investigate your options for medical alert and emergency help buttons before you need to rely on them. Thankfully, today, there are many companies that provide 24/7, all-year-round emergency alert support. All you need to do is choose the one that's best for your needs.
Necklace vs. Wristband: What’s the Difference?
When you're choosing a mobile help button, your first decision needs to be whether you prefer to wear it hanging around your neck on a long strap, like a necklace or pendant, or to buy one of the new wristbands that look and sometimes function as a cool smartwatch. Here are some pros and cons of the 2 alternatives:
Mobile Help Necklace
A mobile help button on a necklace or pendant has been the traditional choice for seniors for years now. They are simple to use, with just one large button to press for help, and easy to put on and take off. You don’t need to fiddle with a watch strap and buckle.
Because they are a looser fit than a wristband, they can be more comfortable to wear, especially for anyone who is allergic to latex, and are easier to reach if you fall. Many mobile help pendants now come on a large loop, so that you can choose to switch the necklace strap itself with one that’s a better length for your needs.
Mobile Help Wristband
Many companies will now give you the option of wearing your mobile alert button on a watch-style wristband instead of a long necklace. The wristband option is less noticeable than the traditional necklace, helping seniors avoid feeling self-conscious about needing a mobile help button. The wristband style also fits closer to your body, so it doesn't swing out when you bend over as the long pendant styles do, and it's less likely to get in your way. It will feel just like wearing an extra watch, reducing the risk that you might take it off and leave it somewhere because it feels awkward.
What's more, the newest mobile help wristbands double as smartwatches. This completely takes away any stigma surrounding wearing a mobile help button and provides added features like the ability to make and receive calls and texts, and the use of health and fitness apps.
Now that you know the primary differences between a necklace and wristband mobile help button, you need to decide which company provides the best service for your needs. This depends on your price range, how many people you want to cover with a single account, style preferences, and more.
Which are the Best Mobile Help Button Providers?
To help you come to a decision, we provide reviews of all the top medical alert providers that offer necklace buttons, wristband buttons, or both.
Medical Guardian is one of the top emergency alert services. It offers a fully-monitored system, with dedicated call agents available round the clock to respond immediately if you activate an alert. You can choose between a necklace or wristband style for your traditional mobile alert button, as well as a standalone mobile unit that you can wear on your belt, wear as a necklace, and carry in your purse.
On top of traditional landline-based mobile alert services, Medical Guardian provides cellular coverage that uses GPS tracking and Verizon's 3G/4G or AT&T's 4G network to keep you connected wherever you go. Medical Guardian is one of only two companies that offers a mobile help smartwatch, which will allow you to make calls and receive them and send text messages alongside on-the-go mobile alert capabilities. It also uses GPS tracking to alert emergency services if you're unable to do so, no matter where you are.
Another standout option is Medical Alert. When you use Medical Alert, you can choose between a pendant, wristband, or belt clip for your mobile help button. Both of them integrate advanced GPS tracking and fall detection so that you can get help even if you’re not able to talk or press the button yourself. Medical Alert also has extensive home landline and landline-free emergency help systems, with agents who are active 24/7 to respond to your call for help.
MobileHelp is the only other mobile alert service to offer a smartwatch, as well as a necklace and wristband buttons. Their MobileHelp Smart includes fitness and health apps, as well as an emergency help button. GPS tracking and fall detection means that they can alert emergency services even if you're not able to. The watch allows you to make and receive calls and texts and looks just like a regular smartwatch.
The LifeFone medical alert system provides an at-home and/or on-the-go system. The mobile buttons include GPS tracking and cellular connectivity using AT&T or Verizon, to make sure that you’re always able to get help when needed, but there’s no way to make and receive calls or texts with this product. You can choose between a wristband or pendant, and there’s the option of adding fall detection for an extra monthly fee.
Finally, LifeStation provides home alert units as well as on-the-go mobile help buttons. The mobile buttons are only available as a lightweight pendant, so there's no wristband option. It comes with built-in GPS tracking and optional fall detection for an extra fee.
Choose the Right Mobile Help Button for You
Whether you choose a necklace or a wristband style for your mobile help buttons is up to your personal preferences, lifestyle, and comfort, although it's worth remembering that only the wristbands can include smartwatch cell phone connectivity and extra apps. The most important thing is that you pick a mobile help button that is easy to use and quick to respond, to keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy for longer.
