The Medical Alert by Connect America is a monitored medical alarm that comes with a panic button you can press in an emergency. The button sends a signal to the base station, which dials a monitoring center that is monitored 24/7.
It costs about $30 a month, but you should know right away you can get exactly the same service from Bay Alarm Medical for only about $24 a month.
There’s a video review at the bottom of the page.
The emergency button is advertised as being waterproof. It’s not generally considered to be an attractive button, though.
The base station has a two-way speakerphone. This means that you can hear the operator in the monitoring center and they can hear you. This allows them to listen, communicate and get assistance for you.
The company claims their base station is powerful enough to communicate with you throughout your home.
The medical monitoring center has a list of your existing medical conditions or issues. They can help prepare the EMS responders so they know how to help you best.
Each medical alert systems kit comes with everything you need to install it by yourself. You can use the button as a wrist unit, clip it onto your clothes, or wear it around your neck as a pendant.
The unit can be installed permanently or you can take it with you when you travel or move.
If the power goes out, the base station has 32-72 hour battery backup.
The website does not disclose the range of the unit.
When you order online you get free shipping. You initiate your order online, but complete the purchase over the phone with an agent.
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My review:
The medical alert from Connect America is a good quality alarm unit using technology that has been around for a long time. The company’s BBB accreditation speaks well of them. For my own purposes, the biggest cons are the unattractive pendants/buttons and the “whole house” speakerphone. As I make clear on this site, I think two-way communication through the pendant is a much smarter way to go. However, this system could be great for you depending on your needs.
This unit is good for someone who is living in a fairly small house and spends most of their time inside, due to the short range of any whole-house speakerphone.
I don’t recommend it for anyone who is particularly fashion conscious, though the pendant option is certainly better than wearing the gray button on your wrist. Also, if a person spends a lot of time in the garden or lives in a very large house where a centrally-located speakerphone wouldn’t reach them, there are better options.
You can save money by purchasing very similar service from another company. Connect America is in the high middle of the price range for medical alerts, and they don’t have features to justify the high price. Sorry! Also, they charge a ton for their 911 mobile medical alert, and that makes me less enthusiastic about the company.
Back to the reviews page.
Video review:
