AARP Online Community and Discussion Forums - Medical Alert

dd39974797 · ‎11-17-2024

Hello,

I am kind of overwhelmed. For my mother, I am looking at medical alert devices and cannot decide on the best one (wrist watch). I am leaning towards Bay Alarm Medical and Medical Guardian.

Does anyone have any experiences with either company?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Don

JamesT699826 · ‎05-05-2025

You would think with today's technology it would be easy for seniors to purchase a device that would quickly notify a family member or service when help is needed. We thought we found a solution with the Medical Guardian. Unfortunately we found their customer support and specifically their billing practices to be unacceptable. It took over a year communicating with the Better Business Bureau and the PA attorney general to get them to admit their error. If you search the BBB for this company the majority of complaints are related to their billing practices. I do not understand how they can keep their A+ rating. I thought we were done dealing with this company, but just today received email that they believe we owe them back charges. I guess it will be another round of fighting them.

SpringIsHereVA · ‎05-05-2025

James @JamesT699826 , did you find another company? Take care, Nicole 👵

➡️[*** James wrote on Monday 5/5/25:
You would think with today's technology it would be easy for seniors to purchase a device that would quickly notify a family member or service when help is needed. We thought we found a solution with the Medical Guardian. Unfortunately we found their customer support and specifically their billing practices to be unacceptable. It took over a year communicating with the Better Business Bureau and the PA attorney general to get them to admit their error. If you search the BBB for this company the majority of complaints are related to their billing practices. I do not understand how they can keep their A+ rating. I thought we were done dealing with this company, but just today received email that they believe we owe them back charges. I guess it will be another round of fighting them. ***]

JamesT699826 · ‎05-05-2025

We did not find anything that checked all the boxes. Her health has improved and there is less of a fall issue...for now. We provided her with a trac phone which has helped but is not what I would consider a perfect solution for seniors with fall risks.