GPS Medical Alerts for Active Seniors

If you are in the market for a medical alert for yourself, a parent or another loved one, then you may already know how challenging it is to choose the right one. With so many options, it can be overwhelming. 
 
Choosing a medical alert device also can be one of those bigger life decisions because you want to make sure that you or your loved one will always have immediate access to a medical alert responder, regardless of where you are located. 
 
In the past, if you or someone you love had a medical alert system, they were limited to a certain range associated with a landline-based phone system. You had to stay within a certain distance of your home or property in order for the alert pendants to function with the system hub. These traditional types of devices may be too limited for active seniors. 
 
Today’s medical alert providers, however, are increasingly offering new options so that active seniors or other individuals who may require 24/7 medical alert monitoring do not have to be housebound.
 
Medical alert companies have integrated modern Global Positioning System (GPS) technology into their systems in order to accommodate users who regularly leave their house and lead active lifestyles. 
 
With GPS-enabled medical alerts, the system hub becomes fully mobile. And active seniors, like yourself or your loved one, can continue to lead more independent lives, but with the security of receiving emergency assistance. The tracking aspect of the technology allows the monitoring company, as well as caregivers, to ascertain a loved one's location in the event of an emergency.

How Does GPS Work with Medical Alerts?

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite system consisting of 30 satellites owned by the United States government. Its original use was for U.S. military geo-navigation, but soon its reach broadened to provide geolocation tracking for commercial and consumer applications. 

No matter where you are in the world, there are always at least four GPS satellites within your GPS system’s reach. The satellites continually transmit information via radio signals at regular intervals including position and the current time. The distance of each satellite is then calculated by your medical alert’s GPS system to determine just how far away each transmitting satellite is to the device. 

Using a process called trilateration, your GPS system can determine its exact location by calculating the distances to at least three satellites based on each broadcast. 

GPS-enabled devices for consumers can include:

• Mobile phones with GPS capability
• Palm, pocket, and laptop PCs
• Home computers, digital cameras, smartphones
• Medical Alert systems, and more

Think about the driving navigational applications you have on your phone or laptop such as Google Maps. Many of us have become dependent on these kinds of tools to help us get around in our everyday lives. 

What are the Features of a GPS Medical Alert System?

When shopping for a GPS medical alert system, we recommend you look at the following key factors before deciding upon a specific brand:

1. Equipment: Help button option, range, base station, backup battery, and mobile/GPS battery life matter. Other key features include 2-way communication, waterproof devices, automatic fall detection, and multiple help buttons
2. Monitoring: 24/7, emergency or non-emergency dispatch and multilingual staff.
3. Contract Required: Some systems require a multi-year contract which can be expensive to break. 
4. Price: landline, cellular, equipment or other fees. Some companies offer a  free trial period and flexible cancellation policy.
5. Company Reputation: Professional certifications, Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating, and Trustpilot rating can show whether or not a company is reputable. 

Additionally, be sure to look at the ease of the setup of the device as well as how its ease of use, which can be a critical factor for seniors or those with physical limitations. 

Let’s now look at the pros and cons of GPS medical alert systems versus smart landline-based or smartphone devices.

Pros & Cons of GPS Medical Alerts

Shopping for medical alert devices can be confusing because there are many brands out there and different types of technology used with each device. 

It’s worth noting that smartphone ownership with seniors has doubled since 2013 with four in 10 seniors now owning a smartphone. With that said, smartphone ownership declines as the age of individuals increases.

For example, only 17% of seniors ages 80 and older have a smartphone whereas 80% of 65-year-olds do. Smartphone ownership is also correlated with income and educational levels. 

Some of the challenges with cell phones for seniors or others who may have a disability is an adaptation. It may be too difficult to learn how to use a cell phone and carry it on your person versus wearing a medical device pendant as a necklace, bracelet, or clasped to one’s clothing that has one function. 

Note: Mobile phones have multiple uses where a medical alert device only has one: to contact an emergency responder in case of an emergency. Too many functions on one device may confuse certain individuals who are not familiar with smartphone technology and functions. 

Let’s now look at the pros and cons of each type of medical alert system.

GPS vs. Landline Medical Alert System

GPS Pros:

• Good for individuals who do not have landline capability at their home.
• Mobility - portable with unlimited range (depending on GPS connection)
• Easier installation and use.

GPS Cons:

• Requires consistent GPS connection to function.
• Battery recharging on a daily or regular basis.
• Sound quality can be inconsistent and not as good as a landline connection.

Landline Pros:

• Better sound quality.
• Battery recharge, not an issue, if help button is regularly placed in recharge station.
• Audio reception is not a factor.

Landline Cons:

• Limited range – must stay within the base station’s radius.
• Outages can be lengthy.
• Installation can be challenging.

GPS Vs. Smartphone Medical Alerts

GPS Pros:

• Designed for one purpose.
• Dedicated GPS connection.
• Ease of installation and use.

GPS Cons:

• Second device to carry.
• More expensive for the consumer, two devices.
• Separate bill tracking.

Smartphone Pros:

• Convenience, one device.
• Saves money.
• Eliminates stigmatism of wearing help button.

Smartphone Cons:

• Learning curve.
• The possibility of intermittent connections.
• Sound quality.

The bottom line is medical alert systems should be easy to use and designed for one purpose: offering prompt medical assistance to particular populations who might find it difficult or confusing to use a mobile phone. 

For active seniors, our top pick is GPS-enabled medical devices. These devices provide more independence to individuals because of the unlimited range associated with GPS technology. Additionally, the learning curve of a one-function device can be much less than learning a multi-functional device. 

Essentially, it comes down to why you are purchasing a medical device in the first place. For most, that reason is to alert medical emergency services whenever and wherever you or your loved needs help. Having an alert system right at their fingertips at all times that is easy to use is what it’s all about.