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6 Key Takeaways From Our Medical Alert Systems Survey
Are you considering buying one of these devices for yourself or someone you care for? Use these insights from our survey to help guide your search
AARP Smart Picks
For older adults and their caregivers, a medical alert system can offer more than a way to summon help in an emergency — it can provide a sense of safety and security for daily living. In our April 2026 survey of 300 adults who had purchased a medical alert system for themselves or someone they care for, 72 percent said the biggest benefit is the peace of mind that comes with knowing they have access to emergency services.
That added comfort may help older adults stay home longer. Ninety-four percent of respondents said medical alert systems make it easier for them (or their loved one) to stay in their own home rather than go to an assisted living facility. “The more support and safety caregivers can have for the care of their loved ones, such as a [medical] alert, the higher the chance they will delay the decision to move them to a facility,” says Dr. George Hennawi, an executive director of Geriatrics and Senior Services for MedStar Health in Baltimore, Maryland.
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Medical alert systems can be a lifeline for older adults — literally. With the push of a button, users are connected to a 24/7-staffed monitoring center where live agents can provide advice or dispatch emergency care.
To better understand the buying process for medical alert systems, our AARP Smart Picks team surveyed older adult users and the people who care for them. We gained insight into what drives the decision to buy one and which factors matter most.
Read on to discover the six key takeaways from our medical alert systems survey.
Note: A few survey questions were multi-select. As a result, some results below will add up to more than 100 percent.
1. Freedom is key
Ninety-two percent of respondents said medical alert systems help the user feel more independent.
When asked to elaborate, a common theme was the ability to stay active without worry. “[The medical alert system] provides a profound sense of security and peace of mind, replacing the anxiety of being alone with the quiet confidence to live life independently,” one respondent said. “I have a sense of security, so my mom can be more active and do her own thing,” said a caregiver respondent.
For older adults living alone (also known as aging in place), a medical alert system can help fill gaps in care. “I really don't have one person that I can rely on,” said a respondent. “I have a nurse’s aide that comes in four times per week and a therapist that comes once per week. [With a medical alert system], I don’t have to call the neighbors if I need help. I feel like I can take care of myself.”
2. Falls or medical emergencies were the primary reason for buying
Eighty percent of respondents reported buying a medical alert system after they (37 percent) or someone they care for (42 percent) experienced a fall or medical emergency.
That tracks, since each year about 25 percent of adults ages 65 and older experience a fall. Falls are also the leading cause of injury and injury-related death for people ages 65 and older.
After falls, the second-most common reason for buying a medical alert system was “my doctor recommended it” (39 percent), followed closely by “a friend or family member recommended it” (36 percent).
Experts we’ve spoken with encourage users and the people who care for them to plan ahead — don’t wait for a fall or medical emergency to buy a medical alert system. Instead, purchasing one proactively may help the user receive help faster, which could lessen the severity of the emergency.
3. Fast response time is the top priority
Users and those who care for them want to know that help will arrive quickly. When we asked respondents their most important factor when buying a medical alert system, the most common reason (chosen by 65 percent) was “fast response time.” That was followed closely by “accuracy” (57 percent) and “fall detection” (51 percent).
Hennawi agrees that a quick response is key. “Older adults who receive help within one hour of a fall are nearly six times more likely to survive,” he says. “The sooner we get older adults to surgery for a fracture repair from a fall, the higher the chance they will recover faster and return to independence.”
As for those who bought or use devices with fall detection (a feature that automatically detects when the user has fallen and sends help), 72 percent said the feature “works as it should.” Fourteen percent said the fall detection “sometimes works as it should” and only one percent said “the fall detection fails to detect falls.” Note that no fall detection is 100 percent accurate.
4. Medical alert systems are purchased by users and caregivers
A little more than half (53 percent) of respondents said they purchased a medical alert for themselves. But the rest of the respondents bought one for someone else. Twenty-five percent said they bought a device for their parents, 10 percent bought one for a family member and 8 percent bought one for their partner.
If you’re buying a medical alert system for somebody else and are unsure how to broach the discussion, try leading “with love, not fear,” says Brandy Archie, a doctor of occupational therapy in Kansas City, Missouri. Instead of saying, “I’m worried you’re going to fall,” Archie suggests explaining that the device is an independence technology that may help keep them in their home longer.
Archie also recommends making sure your loved one is involved in the process. “In my experience, the conversation goes much better when the older adult gets to choose the company, the color and the style,” she says.
5. Most people are happy with their medical alert system
When asked the biggest challenge with using the medical alert system, the most common response was “nothing — I like my device,” chosen by 37 percent. The second-most common reason was “it’s expensive,” chosen by 18 percent.
Respondents also noted positive experiences contacting their devices’ monitoring center operators or customer service. Eighty-six percent said their interactions were “very positive and helpful,” while 13 percent said “it’s hit or miss — sometimes positive, sometimes not.”
6. Monitoring costs vary widely
The majority of respondents (86 percent) are “satisfied” with their devices’ monthly costs. For most medical alert systems, you pay a monthly fee for your connection to the monitoring center.
Forty-five percent pay between $25 and $50 per month for monitoring. Around 30 percent spend $50 to $75 per month and 13 percent pay more than $75 per month.
Medical alert systems aren’t one-size-fits-all, and choosing the right one often comes down to health, mobility, lifestyle and living situation. If you're exploring your options, consider the main criteria we use when testing the best medical alert systems. Also see our reviews of the best medical alert systems with fall detection or the best medical alert watches for ideas. The right device could be just what you or a loved one needs in an emergency.
Questions or feedback? Email us at AARPSmartPicks@aarp.org.
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