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8 Best Fall Detection Devices of 2023: Our Experts Tested and Reviewed

We selected our top medical alert systems with fall detection based on cost, safety, range, and other features.
Sep 15, 2023
Medical Reviewer:
Reviewed by: BSPharm, MPH, Senior Director, NCOA Center for Healthy Aging
Fact Checked

Medical Alert Systems With Fall Detection: Key Takeaways

  • Medical alert systems with fall detection are worth considering if you or someone you care for lives alone or is at a high risk of falling.
  • Most companies charge about $10 per month to add fall detection to a medical alert device.
  • Fall detection works by sensing when the user has fallen and automatically contacting the medical alert company’s monitoring center for help.

We chose Medical Guardian as our top pick due to its affordability, amount of features, great performance, and impressive overall value.

A quick look at the best medical alert systems with fall detection

  1. Our Top Pick: Medical Guardian
  2. Best Battery Life: Bay Alarm Medical
  3. Most Cost Savings: ADT Health
  4. LifeFone
  5.  UnaliWear
  6. Medical Alert
  7. Lifeline
  8. HandsFree Health

More than one-fourth of Americans who are 65 and older experience a fall each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).¹ And whether it’s with or without injury, falls can carry a heavy quality of life impact. The best fall detection devices, such as Medical Guardian, Bay Alarm Medical, and others mentioned in this guide, can provide extra security for older adults who are at a high risk of falling.

Medical alert systems with fall detection use technology that senses when you fall and sends an immediate alert to get you help. Although you’ll have to pay $5–$10 more per month to add this feature to most medical alert systems, fall detection can give you and your loved ones added peace of mind and help you age in place longer.

Our Reviews Team researched and tested the best medical alert systems with fall detection to help you find the best device for your needs. See what companies made our list of the best fall detection devices.

Why you can trust our expert review
2500
Hours of
Research
9
Experts
Consulted
12
Brands
Tested
1
Survey
Deployed

Our Reviews Team spent more than 2,500 hours conducting in-depth research on medical alert systems. During our process, we:

  • Researched and tested each system independently
  • Consulted with licensed professional caregivers and doctors who specialize in older adult care
  • Mystery shopped six medical alert system brands
  • Surveyed medical alert system users
  • Read hundreds of verified customer reviews from trusted third parties, such as Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot

Read more about our medical alert systems review methodology.

Table 1 The best fall detection devices, as of July 2023

Brand

Starting monthly fee

Range from base unit (at-home systems)

Connection type

Battery life (on-the-go systems)

Fall detection cost

Average response time (seconds)

Medical Guardian

$29.95

1,300–1,400 feet

Landline, AT&T cellular

5 days

$10 per month

1–25

Bay Alarm Medical

$24.95

1,000 feet

Landline, AT&T or Verizon cellular

6–18 hours (smartwatch)

$10 per month

1–25

LifeFone

$24.95

1,300 feet

Landline, AT&T or Verizon cellular

30 days

$5 per month for most systems

1–25

ADT Health

$29.99

300–600 feet

Landline, AT&T cellular

40 hours

$11 per month

45+

Lifeline

$29.95

800 feet

Landline, AT&T cellular

5 days

Included in price

30

Medical Alert

$19.95

800 feet

Landline, AT&T cellular

5 days

$10 per month

15–25

UnaliWear

$69.95

N/A

Verizon cellular, Wi-Fi

24 hours

Included

45+

HandsFree Health

$159.95

N/A

T-Mobile

24 hours

$10 per month

N/A

Best Fall Detection Devices

Our Top Pick
Why We Chose

You can be up to 1,400 feet away (about four football fields) from the base unit (a small device that links to the company’s monitoring center and connects to your fall detection necklace or bracelet), and the device will still register a fall and automatically contact the monitoring center.

Medical Guardian also has a competitive combination of features, performance, and value that makes it one of the best fall detection devices on the market. It ties with LifeFone for the most connection types on this list (landline, AT&T, and Verizon cellular), its on-the-go devices have a high five-day battery life, and the brand has an overall fast response time of one to 25 seconds based on our testing. This may be why a majority (43%) of our survey respondents use Medical Guardian for their medical alert system—the second most popular system is Bay Alarm Medical (26%).

Pros & Cons
Pros Most products are all-in-one devices, meaning you don’t need to carry a separate fall detection device No activation or equipment fees (except for a one-time fee with the Mini Guardian) No long-term contracts or cancellation fees Range of up to 1,400 feet with the Classic Guardian system Cellular plans available; no landline required Frequent deals and discounts Free month of service, free lockbox, and free shipping with an annual subscription All devices are water-resistant Cons Monthly fees start at about $30 (not including fall detection) Not all devices have the option to add fall detection
Additional Details

Each Medical Guardian device had easy step-by-step setup instructions that involved us charging the device and placing a test call. We were able to complete the process with no issues. When we tested the Medical Guardian fall detection option, it successfully detected simulated falls from a standing position. But be aware: No fall detection will detect 100% of falls.

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FROM OUR TESTER

I tested fall detection twice with the Mini Guardian: with a drop test and falling from a seated position. The device detected a fall during the drop test but not when I “fell” from the seated position.

Automatic fall detection isn’t included in the monitoring plans, but you can add it for $10 per month. Also, fall detection isn’t an option for all Medical Guardian devices—the MGMove smartwatch is the only product without a fall detection option. Other companies on this list offer fall detection as an optional add-on for all their devices.

Check out our Medical Guardian versus Medical Alert and Life Alert versus Medical Guardian articles to compare these popular brands. Or, take a deeper dive with our Life Alert review.

Customer service and payment options

We had an excellent experience with Medical Guardian customer service. A representative helped us set up our MyGuardian app account and answered all our questions during our call.

Communication methods: Phone, email, or chat

Phone: Call 800-480-1357 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET

Email: mggcustomercare@medicalguardian.com

Chat: Chat availability on their website is the same as phone availability

Payment options: Check, credit card, or check by phone

Our Top Pick
Best Battery Life
Why We Chose

Bay Alarm Medical is one of the oldest and most trusted names in medical alert systems for older adults. It was founded in 1946 and has reputable products and high customer reviews. Among the medical alert systems with fall detection we tested, Bay Alarm has the highest BBB rating (4.3 out of 5 stars) with 138 reviews.

But it’s the long battery life in the company’s fall detection necklace that makes Bay Alarm Medical stand out. The company states the batteries in wall buttons and necklaces should last five years, and the battery in the at-home fall detection device lasts up to two years. Compare that with the next-longest fall detection battery life on this list, Lifeline, with a one-year maximum.

Pros & Cons
Pros Budget-friendly packages combine in-home and on-the-go protection for $40 per month No up-front costs, long-term contracts, or cancellation fees Lifetime rate never goes up as long as you maintain your service Ability to set up personal emergency contact list Free monitoring for roommate or partner (with purchase of a second device) All devices are water-resistant or waterproof Cons Base unit range of 1,000 feet, slightly less than Medical Guardian and LifeFone Additional charge for GPS button
Additional Details

A long battery life in your fall detection necklace helps ensure it’s always working, and wearing it becomes second nature because you don’t have to worry about regular charging. Bay Alarm Medical also monitors and automatically replaces your batteries, so you should never have to worry about a low battery.

Its automatic fall detection costs $10 per month in addition to standard monitoring fees.

We had no issues setting up our Bay Alarm Medical devices during testing. It was an easy “plug and play” installation that didn’t require us to activate the systems—they were ready and connected to the monitoring center as soon as we plugged them in. We found that the average response time for Bay Alarm Medical was 1–25 seconds.

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FROM OUR TESTER

Bay Alarm Medical didn’t provide instructions for testing fall detection, so I conducted multiple drop tests from shoulder height with the SOS All-in-One. This was the default fall detection testing method used in our medical alert system testing summit. The SOS All-in-One contacted the monitoring center each time I performed a drop test.

Check out our Bay Alarm Medical versus LifeStation comparison for more information about these two medical alert system companies.

Customer service and payment options

Every time we called customer service, it took us less than a minute to reach a representative. A representative explained how to add emergency contacts and instructions for monitoring center staff to contact them in our online portal. We were pleased with the efficiency and helpfulness of each call with Bay Alarm Medical customer service.

Communication methods: Phone, email, or chat

Phone: Call 877-522-9633 Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT and Saturday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. PT

Email: cs@bayalarmmedical.com

Chat: Chat availability on their website is the same as phone availability

Payment options: Credit card, debit card, or check

Most Cost Savings
Why We Chose

ADT has a starting fee of $29.99 (the average starting fee of all the companies on this list is $32), you can save up to $48 annually by choosing an annual plan ($312 per year versus $360 per year). ADT has an average response time of 45 seconds or more.

Pros & Cons
Pros No activation or equipment fees No long-term contracts or cancellation fees Monthly, quarterly, and annual payment plans Waterproof wearable help buttons Landline and cellular options 30-day trial period Cons Not all devices have the option to add fall detection Device range of 100–600 feet, lower than most other medical alert system companies
Additional Details

ADT does not have medical alert watches but offers three medical alert systems: Medical Alert Basic System, Medical Alert Plus System, and On-the-Go System. The only system that doesn’t have the optional fall detection add-on is the Medical Alert Basic System.

Setting up our ADT medical alert systems was fairly simple. After plugging in our at-home base station and charging the mobile system, we called ADT to confirm our account, test our connection to the monitoring center, and verify fall detection was activated.

For the Medical Alert Plus System and On-the-Go System, the fall detection costs $11 per month, and the battery lasts 18 hours. Though this feature isn’t guaranteed to detect all falls, when we tested ADT fall detection by dropping it in both a sitting and standing position, within 10 seconds, the device gave a voice prompt, “Fall detected. Press and hold button to cancel.”

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FROM OUR TESTER

I was impressed the fall detection necklace passed both the drop test and when I “fell” from a seated position. Each time fall detection was activated, the device said, “Fall detected. Please press and hold button to cancel.”

When I pressed the button to cancel calling the monitoring center, the device confirmed by saying, “Alarm canceled.” When I didn’t press the button within 20 seconds during another test, it said, “Fall detected. Contacting emergency response center.” I like the clear verbal cues so you can quickly cancel a call to the monitoring center during a false alarm.

To learn more, check out our ADT medical alert review. If you are concerned about how to pay for your device, we have more information on medical alert systems cost.

Customer service and payment options

We used the online chat and phone options when speaking with ADT customer service representatives. The customer service phone number was very accessible: it was in large print on a sticker on the at-home base station. When we had a connection issue with one of our systems, we called customer service, and the representative figured out our issue quickly and efficiently.

Communication methods: Phone or chat

Phone: 800-238-2727 (sales and customer support)

Chat: Website chat support is available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, Fridays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET, and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET

Payment options: Credit card

Best Extra Features
Why We Chose

The LifeFone medical alert system includes many features for those who are comfortable with technology. You can think of LifeFone as both a medical alert system with fall detection and an all-in-one home monitoring system. It includes several extra features not available from other companies on this list.

Pros & Cons
Pros Multiple devices, including an on-the-go GPS button Frequent discounts and perks, such as a free lockbox with service Landline or cellular plans available No activation fees, long-term contract, or cancellation fees All devices are water-resistant Cons Fall detection is a separate necklace Not all devices have the option to add fall detection No detailed information about call center staffing or certification
Additional Details

The LifeFone medical alert system includes many features for those who are comfortable with technology. You can think of LifeFone as both a medical alert system with fall detection and an all-in-one home monitoring system. It includes several extra features not available from other companies on this list.

LifeFone works as an all-in-one home monitoring system, with the following features included in all of its devices:

  • Fire, smoke, and carbon monoxide sensor
  • Medication reminder (reminders are added through the app)
  • Personal lockbox
  • Activity tracking system

There are also additional features that come with extra costs. Caregivers or users can schedule a daily test ($6 per month) for the system that can be turned off with the push of a button. If there’s no response, the call center will contact you.

You can also schedule a daily check-in call ($19 per month), and a call center operator will call your phone just to make sure everything’s okay. In addition, there’s a caregiver app (free) to help you stay connected with loved ones. These types of extra features are valuable to medical alert system users, according to our survey: 40% of respondents said the biggest challenge with their medical alert system is it doesn’t have enough special features.

LifeFone medical alert systems have a two-step setup process: Plug in (at-home base station) or charge the device (mobile systems and smartwatch), then contact the monitoring center and tell them you’re testing the device. We liked this straightforward setup.

The company’s devices have a long battery life, a range of 1,300 feet, and low-cost automatic fall detection. Although monthly monitoring starts at $25 a month, fall detection is $5, or about half of what other companies charge. We found that the average response time for LifeFone was 1–25 seconds.

One drawback with LifeFone is, like Medical Alert, fall detection is a separate necklace. That means you’ll have to wear two devices (your normal medical alert device and the extra fall detection necklace). But it may be worth it given the extra features.

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FROM OUR TESTER

When I tested the At-Home & On-the-Go VIP Active®, a customer service representative gave me specific fall detection test instructions:

  1. Take the necklace off
  2. Toss it in the air
  3. Catch in hand
  4. Throw it in the air again
  5. Catch in hand
  6. Shake the device
  7. Keep the device still for 30 seconds

Since these steps didn’t simulate a falling motion, I wasn’t surprised when fall detection didn’t work during this test. The representative suggested a second testing method: swing the device by the lanyard four times, then toss it on a hard surface (I used a table), and wait 30 seconds. Immediately, fall detection was activated and the device contacted the monitoring center.

Customer service and payment options

The LifeFone customer service phone number was listed throughout our user guide and activation instructions, so we never had to search for the number when we had questions while setting up our medical alert systems. The representatives were knowledgeable and able to answer our questions during our calls. Only one instance involved multiple calls to resolve an issue—we didn’t receive an email code right away to set up the caregiver app.

Communication methods: Phone or email

Phone: Call 800-331-9198 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET and Saturday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET

Email: info@lifefone.com

Payment options: Credit card, debit card, or online bill pay

Best Smartwatch
Why We Chose

The UnaliWear Kanega Watch is one of the only medical alert systems with fall detection designed for your wrist. This specific fall detection technology, called RealFall, actively learns your movements to help improve accuracy and reduce false falls.

Pros & Cons
Pros 30-day trial period Fall detection automatically included Medication reminders available Designed to be worn 24/7 without removing for charging Cons High monthly cost ($59.95–$69.95) and equipment fee ($199–$299) Mobile app not available No caregiver tracking
Additional Details

“We are constantly updating our algorithm with real fall data,” said Richard Hirsch, chief marketing officer of UnaliWear. See the section, “How does fall detection work?” to learn more about wrist-based vs. necklace fall detection.

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FROM OUR TESTER

UnaliWear RealFall technology is based on actual falls and uses AI (artificial intelligence) to learn what is and is not a fall for each user over time. Because of this, it was challenging to test fall detection during my trial period accurately. The Kanega Watch detected two of my six test “falls.”

Fall detection is automatically included with the Kanega Watch and not charged as an extra monthly fee. The black, water-resistant watch is available in three accent colors: black, champagne gold, and rose gold, and connects to a 24/7 monitoring center via Wi-Fi and Verizon cellular service.

This dual connection keeps your watch connected to the monitoring center at all times, so if you have poor reception or lose connectivity, your watch will still be able to connect with the monitoring center. There are three ways to contact the monitoring center: You can press the button on the side of the watch face, trigger fall detection, or use your voice.

You can also use voice commands to ask for the time and date, but voice-to-text messaging features are not available.

The Kanega Watch includes four rechargeable batteries—two to place in your watchband while the other two charge. That way, you can swap the low batteries with fully charged batteries without taking off your watch to charge it.

When testing the Kanega Watch during our medical alert system testing summit, we liked how simple it was to insert and remove the batteries. There are no screws or small latches to open since the batteries attach to the watchband, which may be helpful if you experience arthritis, dexterity issues, or reduced vision.

Setting up our Kanega Watch did involve a lengthy call with customer service—it was not a “plug-and-play” process. Some users may like this step-by-step setup guided by a customer service representative, while others may rather do everything themselves through an online portal. During testing, we found that the average response time for the Kanega Watch was 45 seconds or more.

Unfortunately, the $69.95 starting monthly price is nearly $30 more than other medical alert systems in this review. There is also a one-time $299 equipment fee. By choosing an annual subscription, you can reduce your monthly fee ($59.95) and equipment fee ($199), but you’ll have to pay for the 12-month subscription upfront.

This reduced monthly fee is still higher than Medical Guardian smartwatch monthly fees, but unlike the Kanega Watch, the MGMove doesn’t support fall detection. The Bay Alarm Medical SOS Smartwatch is a more affordable smartwatch that also offers fall detection, but it lacks other features found in the Kanega Watch, like voice commands and medication reminders.

Customer service and payment options

Since the Kanega Smartwatch doesn’t have an app or online portal, UnaliWear encourages users to contact the company over the phone for any maintenance issues or changes that need to be made to their accounts. We asked a few quick questions using the online chat, but most of our interactions were over the phone.

Communication methods: Phone, email, or chat

Phone: Call 888-343-1513 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT. They are also available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT on Saturday and Sunday.

Email: community@unaliwear.com

Chat: Chat availability on their website is the same as phone availability

Payment options: Credit card, Diners Club, or JCB

Best Value
Why We Chose

Unlike other medical alert systems on our list that only offer fall detection with certain systems, Medical Alert lets you add fall detection to all of its plans. You can even get automatic fall detection with the on-the-go GPS medical alert system button.

Pros & Cons
Pros Fall detection available with every device as an add-on No activation fees, long-term contract, or cancellation fees Landline and cellular plan options The Medical Alert Connect app lets you monitor your device, store health data, and connect with the help center Simple one-step setup All devices are waterproof Cons Base unit range of only 800 feet Must wear two devices if you want fall detection
Additional Details

The service is $20 a month in addition to your monitoring fee. But if you pay for an annual subscription, the cost drops to $18.30 a month for monitoring and $9.20 for fall detection. In other words, you get emergency monitoring with automatic fall detection for just $27.50 a month. If price is a priority for you, check out our full medical alert system cost comparisons for more information.

The downside: Fall detection comes in a separate necklace with the company’s on-the-go product (the at-home system uses a stationary base unit and a fall detection necklace). This means for on-the-go devices you’ll have to carry both a medical alert button and a smaller fall detection necklace. The medical alert button is a small, handheld device with a help button and two-way speaker. It’s about the size of a deck of cards.

The fall detection necklace is smaller and about the size of a half dollar coin. The medical alert button can stay in your pocket or purse, while you should wear the fall detection necklace around your neck for accuracy. Although using two devices is not ideal, if you’re watching your budget it may be worth it in exchange for the low monitoring fees.

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FROM OUR TESTER

I followed the fall detection testing instructions in the user manual. Even after dropping the necklace multiple times from shoulder height onto my carpeted floor, fall detection wouldn’t activate. Fall detection finally worked when I held the device high above my head before dropping it.

I liked that the user manual had illustrations showing users the correct way to wear the fall detection necklace versus the incorrect way to wear it.

At first, we couldn’t correctly pair the fall detection necklace with the at-home system because the user guide instructions were out of order. Besides this issue, the rest of the setup process was straightforward. We found the average response time for Medical Alert was 15–25 seconds.

Customer service and payment options

Our experience with Medical Alert customer service varied. The representative who helped us purchase our medical alert system was friendly and helpful. They even gave us their direct extension if we had any other questions. A different customer service representative called us to clarify something with our account, but we were busy and unable to take the call. We told the representative this and asked if they could call us back later, but they immediately hung up on us.

Communication methods: Phone or email

Phone: Call 800-800-2537 every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET

Email: customerrelations@medicalalert.com

Payment options: Credit card or debit card

Most Accurate
Why We Chose

Lifeline developed AutoAlert fall detection technology for its Lifeline medical alert system. Fall detection is included in the HomeSafe AutoAlert and On the Go systems with no extra fee.

Pros & Cons
Pros Fall detection available with every device as an add-on No extra fee for fall detection in two devices Auto Alert function alerts your emergency contacts automatically when it detects a fall Lifeline Cares app and online hub for family members and caregivers to communicate and monitor their loved one’s activities Option to add additional two-way communication, so you can talk to the call center from anywhere in your home No long-term contract or cancellation fees All devices are waterproof Cons $50 activation fee Only two device styles Monthly monitoring fee with fall detection starts at $44.95
Additional Details

AutoAlert combines three fall detection technologies. First, the device can tell how quickly a person falls, which is the same as most other fall detection systems. Second, Lifeline added a barometer to pick up on any tiny differences in air pressure. The barometer is fine-tuned enough to sense differences in air pressure at various distances from the floor.

Finally, Lifeline uses a formula to double-check the sensor for accuracy. This helps AutoAlert detect falls other systems sometimes miss. It also helps cut down on the number of false alarms or missed falls, when the user actually does fall but the device fails to recognize it. The company claims its technology detects 95% of falls, but remember no fall detection is 100% accurate.2

We like the simple installation process for the Lifeline at-home and mobile systems. Both include a quick start guide and a user guide that walk you through properly plugging in or charging your medical alert system and placing a test call to the monitoring center. During testing, we found there is a 30-second waiting period between the time the necklace detected a fall and contacted the monitoring center. If the wearer stands up within 30 seconds, the call will be canceled.

Customer service and payment options

We had an excellent experience with Lifeline customer service when mystery shopping the brand. Our representative was friendly and knowledgeable and answered all of our questions without pressuring us to buy a medical alert system. We also liked that our representative shared that their family member is a Lifeline user. They drew from their experience when answering our questions, which was a lovely personal touch.

Communication methods: Phone, online form, or chat

Phone: Call 855-332-7799 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

Online form: Use this contact form

Chat: Chat availability on their website is the same as phone availability. Payment options: Credit card, debit card, or check (with an additional fee)

Best All-Around Features
Why We Chose

The HandsFree Health WellBe Emergency Alert system is featured in the WellBe Medical Alert Watch Round. The mobile emergency alert device is accompanied by a monthly subscription that comes with several advanced features to keep you or your loved ones safe when on the go.

Pros & Cons
Pros Fall detection available for a monthly fee Includes heart rate monitor and pedometer GPS sends emergency services to your exact location Two-way communication enabled through watch Water resistant for daily activities Companion app keeps you connected at all times Cons Only one device style Monthly subscription fee with fall detection costs $39.95 Difficult to reach customer service prior to purchase
Additional Details

The T-Mobile 4G cellular technology includes GPS to send emergency services directly to your location, two-way communication to speak with the U.S.-based monitoring center right through the watch, and the WellBe Virtual Assistance app to stay connected to your health care information and WellBe. Additionally, this advanced medical alert watch is water resistant, has a built-in pedometer to track your steps, and a heart rate monitor to regularly reference.

You can activate fall detection for an additional monthly fee. WellBe fall detection technology was designed to detect only hard falls in order to limit the amount of false alarms and to improve the overall user experience. Once a hard fall triggers the detection system, your device will automatically initiate a call to connect you with emergency services. But because the device does not always detect 100% of falls, the user should get into the habit of pushing the device’s help button if an emergency occurs.

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FROM OUR TESTER

There were no fall detection testing instructions in the user guide. I tested multiple falls from a standing or seated position, but the WellBe Medical Alert Watch didn’t detect them since they are considered “slow falls.” The watch detected all five drop test “falls” since this better simulates a hard fall.

Customer service and payment options

If you have questions as a first-time customer, it’s difficult to reach HandsFree Health customer support. The website doesn’t offer an online chat feature, but it does have built-in question-and-answer software to help you locate the answers you need.

Communication methods: Online form

Online form: Fill out the contact form prompt on the support page

Payment options: Credit card, Diners Club, or JCB

What is fall detection?

Fall detection (also called automatic fall detection) uses sensors such as accelerometers, which detect motion, to identify when you fall and then send an alert to the medical alert company’s monitoring center that you need help.

Nearly every company includes a disclaimer on its website stating no device is 100% accurate, so many fall detection devices include a help button as well in case the device doesn’t record your fall.

How does fall detection work?

Fall detection uses a wearable device (typically a necklace) to detect when the wearer falls and automatically sends help. While some medical alert smartwatches, including the UnaliWear Kanega Watch and Apple Watch, support fall detection, research from 2021 [3] Javier González-Cañete, Francisco and Casilari, Eduardo. A Feasibility Study of the Use of Smartwatches in Wearable Fall Detection Systems. Sensors. March 23, 2021. Found on the internet at https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/6/2254. and 2023 [4] Lee, Yongkuk, et al. Experimental Study: Deep Learning-Based Fall Monitoring among Older Adults with Skin-Wearable Electronics. Sensors. March 2023. Found on the internet at https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/8/3983. shows fall detection worn around your neck is more accurate than fall detection worn around your wrist.

Experts generally agree the best way to wear a fall detection device is as a necklace high on your chest and on top of your sternum for accuracy.

Fall detection technology typically includes an accelerometer and other advanced sensors such as barometers to sense slight changes in speed, angle of descent, and air pressure to detect a fall, according to this 2021 systematic review. [5] Warrington, et al. Are Wearable Devices Effective for Preventing and Detecting Falls: an Umbrella Review. Found on the internet at https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-021-12169-7. The devices take the data from those sensors and plug the information into an algorithm to determine whether a fall actually occurred. If the device confirms a fall did occur, it contacts the company’s monitoring center to send help.

To learn more about ambient sensors and monitoring centers, read about how medical alert systems work.

How accurate is fall detection?

Be aware that false positives can occur (when the device mistakenly detects a fall that hasn’t happened) if you drop your device or the device falls off a table.

This 2020 research survey found an average accuracy rate of 93% for fall detection devices, but numbers vary. [6] Ramachandran, Anita and Karuppiah, Anupama. A Survey on Recent Advances in Wearable Fall Detection Systems. BioMed Research International. May 30, 2019. Found on the internet at https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2020/2167160. This 2017 study [7] Aziz, et al. Validation of Accuracy of SVM-Based Fall Detection System Using Real-World Fall and Non-Fall Datasets. Found on the internet at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5498034. found an average accuracy rate of 80%, and this 2018 review of 22 different studies [8] Broadley, et al. Methods for the Real-World Evaluation of Fall Detection Technology: A Scoping Review. Found on the internet at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6068511. found that, in order to arrive at a standard accuracy rate of fall detection systems, more real-world research is needed. Generally, researchers agree it’s not 100% accurate, but very close.

In the event of a false positive with your fall detection device, the company will reach out and verify whether you need assistance. Companies also encourage you to test your fall detection device monthly to ensure it’s still working. For step-by-step instructions on how to test a fall detection device (also known as a “drop test”), see this guidance from Medical Guardian.

Why is fall detection important?

All medical alert systems have a button for you to press in the event of a fall or other emergency. But if you fall, you may be unable to press the button yourself. That’s why fall detection is so important.

After all, falling is a common experience for older adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Facts About Falls. Found on the internet at https://www.cdc.gov/falls/facts.html.  “Impairments in vision, hearing, and balance can make an older person more vulnerable to falls than others,” said Liron Sinvani, MD, director of the hospitalist service at Northwell Health and associate professor of medicine at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell in the New York City area. “Those who have conditions such as osteoarthritis or dizziness or take multiple medications also have a greater risk of falling.”

Fall detection devices can prevent negative consequences, like dehydration, hypothermia, and pressure sores if someone falls and is lying on the ground for a long time.

Having a medical alert system that can sense a fall and contact emergency personnel will help you to quickly get the help you need. It’s a popular feature among medical alert customers. In our survey, automatic fall detection was the most popular special feature our respondents wanted in a medical alert system. To gauge your risk of falling and get tips on how to prevent falls, use NCOA’s Falls Free CheckUp tool. And for guidance on how caregivers can discuss falls prevention, use NCOA’s Falls Prevention Conversation Guide for Caregivers.

Best medical alert systems with fall detection: bottom line

Combined with a medical alert system, fall detection can provide an important second layer of protection. You will have peace of mind knowing help is on the way even if you don’t push the help button.

If you’re looking for the best fall detection devices, we recommend Medical Guardian for its long device range, Bay Alarm Medical for the best devices and longest battery life, and LifeFone for the best extra features.

Consider ADT Health if you’d like a simple device with no extra fees. We recommend the Lifeline fall detection necklace for the highest accuracy, Medical Alert for the lowest price, and UnaliWear Kanega Watch if you’re interested in a smartwatch with fall detection.

We do not recommend Life Alert since it doesn’t offer fall detection, in addition to other major drawbacks, like a three-year contract, high fees, and pushy sales tactics.

Going with any of these companies can give you more confidence to go out on your own and do the things you enjoy. It also can assure your friends and loved ones that you have access to help when they can’t be there.

Frequently asked questions

Have questions about this review? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.

Sources

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Facts About Falls. Found on the internet at https://www.cdc.gov/falls/facts.html.
  2. Lifeline. Automatic Fall Detection. Found on the internet at https://www.lifeline.philips.com/medical-alert-systems/fall-detection.html.
  3. Javier González-Cañete, Francisco and Casilari, Eduardo. A Feasibility Study of the Use of Smartwatches in Wearable Fall Detection Systems. Sensors. March 23, 2021. Found on the internet at https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/6/2254.
  4. Lee, Yongkuk, et al. Experimental Study: Deep Learning-Based Fall Monitoring among Older Adults with Skin-Wearable Electronics. Sensors. March 2023. Found on the internet at https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/8/3983.
  5. Warrington, et al. Are Wearable Devices Effective for Preventing and Detecting Falls: an Umbrella Review. Found on the internet at https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-021-12169-7.
  6. Ramachandran, Anita and Karuppiah, Anupama. A Survey on Recent Advances in Wearable Fall Detection Systems. BioMed Research International. May 30, 2019. Found on the internet at  https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2020/2167160.
  7. Aziz, et al. Validation of accuracy of SVM-based fall detection system using real-world fall and non-fall datasets. Found on the internet at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5498034.
  8. Broadley, et al. Methods for the Real-World Evaluation of Fall Detection Technology: A Scoping Review. Found on the internet at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6068511.
  9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Older Adult Falls Data. Found on the internet at https://www.cdc.gov/falls/data/index.html.
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