Medical Guardian
Personal emergency response systems (PERS) are a growing trend among Baby Boomers and other seniors who want to live in their homes longer and feel safer. Thanks to mobile technology, most PERS companies now offer mobile and home-based options, along with systems for households without landline telephone service, which makes personal emergency monitoring more accessible and affordable.
Medical Guardian LLC is a Philadelphia-based company that offers in-home and mobile personal emergency response systems for seniors who want to summon help quickly in a crisis. Actress Florence Henderson is the company’s best-known client and spokesperson.
Product Descriptions:
Medical Guardian offers 4 different monitoring systems. All of them can be used at home and two are mobile for use on the go.
- The basic model, the Classic Guardian, is for in-home use only. It features a single large call button on the main unit and connects to the monitoring center with a telephone landline.
- The cellular in-home model, the Home Guardian, has 2 large buttons for emergency calls and system resets. It does not require a landline for monitoring.
- The Mobile Guardian is a GPS-enabled portable system that includes a charging base and a pocket-sized carry-along unit.
- The Premium Guardian is similar to the Mobile Guardian with the addition of a sensor that alerts monitors when it senses a fall.
All systems come with a waterproof, wearable call button in the form of either a pendant or a wristband. The company’s monitoring centers are based in the US. Staffers will stay on the line with clients during an emergency until help arrives.
Pros:
The Classic Guardian landline monitoring device has a very large range, up to 1,300 feet in any direction, making it a good choice for people with large homes and yards. Both of the company’s mobile devices include GPS tracking, which allows responders to pinpoint users’ exact locations, and both can also be used inside the home, which eliminates the need to maintain two separate monitoring devices. Medical Guardian has been an accredited Better Business Bureau member since 2009 and currently has an A+ rating.
Cons:
Mobile monitor battery life ranges from 24 to 36 hours per charge. That’s about twice as long as many cell phone batteries can go between charges, but users must remember to return their device to the charging base regularly to maintain emergency coverage.
Fine print:
No long-term contract is required and there is no termination fee. Users who cancel within 90 days of equipment delivery will receive a prorated refund of their monitoring fees. Lost equipment fees up to $350 will be charged for damaged or unreturned equipment. Users are responsible for testing their equipment once a month. All equipment is covered by a lifetime warranty. Call directly if you have any questions (800) 863-7032.
Cost:
Equipment and activation are free. Monthly monitoring costs $30 for Classic Guardian landline in-home service, $35 for Home Guardian cellular in-home service, $40 for wireless Mobile Guardian monitoring, and $50 for Premium Guardian mobile monitoring with fall detection. Discounts are available for annual payment.
Extra pendants are available for $2 per month, extra wristband monitors for $4 per month. There is no increase in the monthly monitoring fee for additional users in one home. Lockboxes are available for free.
Best for…
Independent seniors who want help in an emergency without having to keep track of multiple monitoring devices. Feel free to visit Medical Guardian or give them a ring at (800) 863-7032.