Arizona has a lot of retirees, and a lot of adult kids who live a state or two away. A medical alert or personal safety wearable is one of the simplest ways to make sure a parent can get help fast. The hard part is picking one they will actually wear.
Questions to ask before you buy
Does it work away from home? Older systems only work near a base station in the house. Newer wearables use cellular service, so they work at the store, on a walk or in the car.
Does it need a smartphone? Many seniors do not carry a phone everywhere, or do not keep it charged. A device that works on its own is more reliable for them.
Who answers when they press the button? Some devices only call family. Others connect to a professional monitoring center that answers 24/7 and can send help. Professional monitoring matters most when the parent lives alone.
Is there two-way voice? Being able to talk to someone through the device, without finding a phone, is a big deal after a fall.
Fall detection? Automatic fall detection can call for help even if they cannot press the button. No fall detection catches every fall, so it is a backup to the button, not a replacement.
Battery life? A device that needs charging every night will end up on the nightstand. Look for several days per charge.
Water resistant? Many falls happen in the bathroom. A device that can be worn in the shower is far more useful.
Can family see what is going on? A companion app that shows location, battery level and recent alerts gives family peace of mind without constant phone calls.
Is there a long contract? Monthly plans with no long-term contract are easier if needs change.
What we offer
We offer the Alarm.com IndiGo, a small wearable with a help button, fall detection when worn on the lanyard, two-way voice to trained monitoring professionals, real-time location, water resistance and up to six days of battery. It works without a smartphone over cellular, and family can follow along in the companion app.
Introductory pricing is $199 for the device and $39.99 a month for 24/7 professional monitoring, with no long-term contract. Learn more about IndiGo.
Getting a parent to wear it
- Set it up together and do a test call so they hear a real person answer.
- Make charging part of a routine, like when they take morning medication.
- Pick a way to wear it they are comfortable with. A device in a drawer does not help anyone.
Setting one up for a parent? Call or text us and we will walk you both through it.
General information only, not legal or professional advice. Rules, fees and products change, so check with your city or the manufacturer. See our terms.