Comparing the Best Medical Alert Systems for Seniors

Medical emergencies and falls often happen without warning. During these accidents, family members and friends may not always be able to be with their loved ones when needed most. Older adults and their caregivers feel a great relief knowing that help is always just a push of a button away. Seniors can feel safer and more relaxed knowing they can pursue their independent, active lifestyles and remain in their own homes, confident that assistance is always available if they need it.

Many medical alert systems are available in Canada, each promising to deliver peace of mind. However, not all of these alert systems are the same. At Lifeline Canada, we offer consistent reliability and exceptional service delivery.

Questions to Consider When Selecting A Medical Alert System

Not all medical alert services are the same, and not every provider has the longevity and experience that Lifeline Canada does, with more than 50 years of serving seniors and their loved ones. When reviewing potential service providers, it’s essential to ask plenty of questions to get a well-rounded understanding of the service you or a loved one will receive. Here are some of our most frequently asked questions and their detailed answers.

Questions from Family and Caregivers

QuestionAnswer
My mother has fallen several times. Do you offer Fall Detection?Our Fall Detection option can automatically call for help if a fall is detected.
My father goes out daily. Is there a way to help him if he falls away from home?With On the Go, you can get help when you are away from home at the push of a button or automatically with Fall Detection.
My mother is worried that she will set off the fall detector by accident and bother the Lifeline Personal Response Associates answering alarms. Is there a way to prevent this?Never worry about ‘bothering’ our Lifeline Response Associates, who are happy to receive their call.
My mother has a tendency to forget to take her pills. Is there anything that can help her keep track of her many medications? MedReady is a medication dispenser which is a simple, affordable and automated way to manage multiple medications with 24/7 monitoring.
Do you specialize in serving seniors and medical alarms? Our focus is medical alarms, so our products are senior-friendly, and our staff are trained to the sensitivities of working with seniors.
Who answers the calls when my mother presses her button?Highly trained Response Associates who undergo 240 hours of training plus annual recertification. All calls are answered in Canada by a Lifeline Response Associate.
I worry about Mom slipping while in the bathtub. Can she wear her button in the bath?Lifeline Personal Help Buttons are waterproof* and can be worn in the bath or shower where falls are most common.
If there is a power failure, how will my father get help?Lifeline’s HomeSafe options have up to 30 hours of backup power, so you can have peace of mind knowing he has access to Lifeline (or he can push his Lifeline button for help). We know when a subscriber’s power is out so we can also call to ensure they are OK.
My father is not very comfortable with technology. How will he set up the service?Specialized representatives provide all the necessary support to install the equipment in your loved one’s home or over the phone.
My mother doesn’t speak English. How will she tell someone she needs help?We can imagine how frightening it would be to try to get help in an emergency if you don’t speak the same language as the response centre associate. This is why we can respond in 240+ languages.
My father is on a fixed income. Does he need to purchase anything or have a long-term contract?With Lifeline, you pay a one-time installation fee to set up the service and then a monthly fee thereafter. There are no long-term contracts or equipment to buy.
Can I be confident that your service will support my senior parent?Lifeline is the #1 medical alert provider, having served millions of subscribers for 50 years.

*HomeSafe and HomeSafe with Fall Detection are waterproof with up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. Refer to IFU for more details. The On the Go mobile solution is water-resistant and can be worn in the shower.

Questions from Seniors

QuestionAnswer
If I have the On the Go mobile button, how will Lifeline know where I am if I press my button away from home?On the Go has advanced location technologies designed to help find you in an emergency.
How long will it take to get a response after I press my button?All calls are answered, on average, in under 30 seconds.
How do I know if my alarm has been received and help is on the way?We do not end the call until we confirm that help has arrived on site.
How will emergency services know my medical information?We keep a full medical profile and use this in case of an emergency.

Lifeline vs. the Competition

FeaturesLifelineCompetitor ACompetitor BCompetitor CCompetitor D
Over 50 years as Canada's leading provider of medical alert systems Yes No No No No
Canadian monitoring and service delivery Company OwnedCompany OwnedOutsources MonitoringCompany OwnedOutsources Monitoring
Choose how you would like your service installed Yes Yes No No No
Mobile wrist and pendant models availableMini Pendant, Pendant, WristbandPendant, WristbandPendant, WristbandPendant, WristbandPendant, Wristband
Most discreet mobile help button available Yes No No No No
Fall detection available on wrist model Yes No No No No
GPS tracking available for seniors who wander Yes No No No No
Number of languages we support240 Languages2 Languages240 Languages2 Languages5 Languages
Medication management solution for your loved one Yes No No No No
Wide range of FREE Senior's health & safety resources Yes No No No No
Read More

How Lifeline Became the Best Medical Alert System in Canada

Lifeline was the original personal alert service in North America, developed and started in 1974 by a husband and wife team of gerontologists. It quickly gained a reputation as a ground-breaking service that helped older adults maintain safety and independence in their own homes.

Today, Lifeline has emerged as the best medical alert system in Canada and is still the largest and most trusted among seniors and their loved ones. We have built strong relationships with healthcare professionals and care providers through our longstanding partnerships with hospitals, community agencies, and senior living communities across Canada. We continue to serve Canadians 24/7 via our caring, expert and highly trained Response Centre Associates and through our innovative, dependable products.

Lifeline Services Available

Lifeline provides a range of medical alert services:

  • The classic “help at the push of a button” HomeSafe service for those who spend most of their time at home./li>
  • HomeSafe with Fall Detection is designed for seniors who fear or are at risk for falling.
  • The On the Go mobile personal emergency service that allows older adults to enjoy their independence safely with access to 24/7 emergency help and is designed to detect falls anywhere, anytime.

Cellular options are available for people without landlines.

What Happens When the Button is Pushed, or a Fall is Detected?

  1. When a help call is answered by a Canadian Lifeline Response Centre Associate, they will contact a family member or friend according to instructions the customer has provided previously to emergency responders.
  2. If the situation requires emergency medical treatment, we use our contacts with emergency services to dispatch help to the customer quickly.
    1. Lifeline Canada keeps a confidential medical history supplied by the customer on record to help first responders when assessing an emergency situation.

Please note that Lifeline Canada subscribers can also push their button and be connected to a Lifeline Response Centre Associate in situations where they need reassurance or support.

Our organization prides itself on providing premium medical alert services at a competitive month-to-month cost with no contract. Services are available through a large network of reputable local community agencies and healthcare partnerships across Canada.

Features of The Best Medical Alert System in Canada

Lifeline is chosen by more Canadians than any other provider because we offer premium quality and service at a competitive cost. In addition, our service and products exclusively focus on the needs of seniors and those managing a chronic condition. This allows us to offer quality products with end-to-end service delivery, empowering our customers to live independently, with dignity and peace of mind.

Safety

  • Lifeline’s On The Go mobile service is more than a GPS tracker. It also includes two-way voice communication and Fall Detection for added confidence and security.
  • All Lifeline help buttons have breakaway cords for customer safety.
  • Lifeline customers have been shown to experience 26% fewer hospital admissions, a 23% decrease in the length of hospital stays if admitted, and a 7% decrease in emergency room visits.
  • At Lifeline Canada, we always follow up on help calls to ensure customers are receiving the help they need.

Ease of Use

  • Lifeline Canada products offer landline and cellular connection options.
  • Lifeline Canada helps its customers who speak English, French, and 240+ different languages.
  • Our senior-friendly products and services are designed with an older adult’s comfort in mind.
  • Lifeline Canada’s Home Service Representatives will come to you or your loved one’s home to install our system. Otherwise, expert telephone guidance is provided.

Quality Products

  • We take pride in offering dependable, senior-friendly products that meet high-quality standards.
  • Homesafe products are equipped with a battery backup in case of a power outage.
  • With our Homesafe Standard option, you can choose between a pendant or wristband help button device. Both are attractive, lightweight, and discreet.
  • The signal from Lifeline’s HomeSafe help buttons is 250-300 feet, enough to cover approximately two football fields, more than enough for the home use these help buttons are intended for.
    • The coverage of the On the Go mobile help button depends on the availability of third-party cellular providers.

Customer Service

  • All help calls are answered in Canada 24/7 by our Lifeline Response Associates.
  • Response Centre Associates are hand-picked for their caring customer service skills and receive 240 hours of training on the emergency needs of older adults, plus annual recertification.
  • Lifeline Canada allows customers to specify the response they want for their help calls by calling a family member, a friend, or emergency services.
  • Customers are able to make changes to their account or service by contacting Lifeline Canada directly.

Pricing

  • Lifeline Canada has the broadest range of medical alert solutions for all budgets and customer needs.
  • Our medical alert devices are included in our monthly fee; no need to purchase extra equipment.
  • There are no maintenance costs to our customers for continued upkeep.
    • The equipment automatically notifies Lifeline Canada if service is required.
    • Replacement equipment is supplied to the customer free of charge, and the product needing replacement is returned to us free of charge.
  • Lifeline Canada’s fee is paid on a month-to-month basis with no long-term commitment.

To learn more about Lifeline Canada’s products, services, and what makes us the best medical alert system in Canada, reach out to us.

Choose the Right Device for Your Lifestyle

On the Go Series (On The Go, On The Go Mini, On The Go with Wandering)HomeSafe StandardHomesafe with Fall Detection
Two-way Voice Communication Yes Yes Yes
Fall Detection Yes No Yes
Pendant-Style Devie Yes Yes (wristlet Available) Yes
In-home Communicator No Yes Yes
GPS Tracking Yes No No
24/7 Lifeline Response Associates Yes Yes Yes
Water Resistant Yes Yes Yes

“Words can barely express how much peace of mind this service has brought to me and my family since getting it. It has allowed me to live alone, in my own home, ever since my husband’s death years ago. A wonderful service.”

Thelma, Subscriber

Thelma
Subscriber

“To the amazing Lifeline team, Thank you so very much for your kind attention to my dad, Jean Paul Hebert. We have had your service for many years now, since mom became ill. We thank you most sincerely.”

Denise, Caregiver

Denise
Caregiver

“The wireless service is perfect for someone like me who has a chronic illness. It lets me stay independent safely and it’s so wonderful not to have to worry about how I would get help if I have another unnoticed seizure.”

Nigel F., Subscriber

Nigel F.
Subscriber

I was concerned about discharging an elderly patient because she was quite frail. I recommended a medical alert service and she finally agreed. Soon after, I learned she had fallen down some stairs, struck her head and lost consciousness. Fortunately, she was able to press her Help Button. An ambulance arrived quickly and she avoided further injury. This is such a simple apparatus but it changes the outcome of otherwise catastrophic events.

Jaclyn, Emergency Room Geriatric Specialist

Jaclyn
Emergency Room Geriatric Specialist

“A few years ago after my grandmother had fallen several times and was still living on her own we invested in Lifeline to ease our minds and hers. Lifeline makes us, as a family, feel safe and confident that our loved ones are always looked out for.”

Tamara Horton, Caregiver

Tamara Horton
Caregiver

"I’ve been a subscriber for a couple of years and it blows me away when people say they don’t need this service. Take it from me, you never know when you’ll need help. If and when you do need it, it’s great to have Lifeline.”

Lucy D., Subscriber

Lucy D.
Subscriber

"We have probably used Lifeline over the past year countless times and I have to say without fail Lifeline has been there for us in a very professional manner thus given me and my parents the confidence to go about our daily routines with without worry.”

Rod Murphy, Caregiver

Rod Murphy
Caregiver