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Personal Living Alert vs. Medical Guardian
Personal Living Alert (PLA) and Medical Guardian have similar monitoring services and monthly fees, with the former having lower upfront costs and better battery life, and the latter having faster response times and a companion Caregiver app with advanced features.
Great in-home range
Flexible prices
2,000-square-foot range
Great variety
Call chain for caregivers
Sleek, stylish wearable devices
Updated:
At a glance:
- Personal Living Alert (PLA) monthly medical alert plans range from $30–$55/month, while Medical Guardian plans are between $32–$43/month. Medical Guardian systems may require equipment fees.
- Medical Guardian has faster monitoring center response times on average (8 seconds), compared to PLA’s average of 18 seconds.
- PLA offers some of the best battery life in the industry, with devices that last up to 5 days on a single charge and in-home systems with a 60-hour backup battery. Medical Guardian offers similar but slightly less efficient systems lasting 3–5 days.
Medical alert systems that connect to a dedicated emergency response center play a key role in keeping older adults safe. However, knowing what different systems cost is only part of the equation. To ensure the senior living experience is safe for you and your loved ones, it’s important to compare and contrast different companies and their offerings.
For example, two popular brands include Personal Living Alert (PLA) and Medical Guardian. From in-home base units to mobile medical alert systems, both companies provide a variety of devices with different features. This includes add-ons like automatic fall detection, GPS tracking, and more. Below, we’ve compared both to help you determine the best provider for your situation.
Personal Living Alert vs. Medical Guardian: Side-By-Side Comparison
| Pricing and features | Personal Living Alert | Medical Guardian |
|---|---|---|
| In-home base unit starting price | $29.99/month (cellular) | $31.95/month (landline) $38.95/month (cellular) |
| Mobile device starting price | $39.99/month | $39.95/month |
| Automatic Fall detection price | $10/month | $10/month |
| Minimum contract required | No long-term contracts | One month |
| Average response time | 18 seconds | 8 seconds |
| Smartwatch option | Yes | Yes |
Comparing PLA and Medical Guardian Functions and Features
oth Medical Guardian and Personal Living Alert’s medical devices are designed to monitor your condition and connect you to emergency responders when needed, but they also have unique pros and cons. Below, we’ve compared the two to help you determine the best medical alert system for your situation.
Activation Fees and Monthly Costs
- Personal Living Alert: Offers several devices that connect to a cellular network, with monthly fees for in-home systems starting at $29.99. On-the-go systems, including help buttons and smartwatches, range between $40 and $55/month. There are no equipment or activation fees.
- Medical Guardian: Offers a range of price points for both landline-based and cellular devices. In-home, landline-based systems start at $31.95, while mobile devices start at $39.95. There is no activation fee, but some systems require a one-time equipment fee of $149–$199.
Emergency Response Speed
- Personal Living Alert: Generally has fast response times during medical emergencies, with the call center responding in 18 seconds on average. However, that’s still just over double that of Medical Guardian’s response times.
- Medical Guardian: Some of the best response times in the industry, with seniors able to access emergency services in as little as 8 seconds on average.
Battery Life and Reliability
- Personal Living Alert: Industry-leading battery life, with systems that can last up to 5 days on a full charge. In-home stationary or wall-mounted base units also include a 60-hour backup battery to help keep seniors safe during power outages.
- Medical Guardian: Some devices can last up to 3 days on a full charge, while others can last up to 5 days. In-home systems have a 32-hour backup battery. Medical Guardian’s Caregiver app can also send charging alerts to caregivers and family members if needed.
Mobile App Integration
- Personal Living Alert: Does not offer a dedicated app for caregivers or users; instead, it focuses on physical pendants and smartwatches that connect to a 24/7 monitoring center.
- Medical Guardian: You can pair your device with Medical Guardian’s Caregiver app, which provides location tracking, alert notifications, device status (including battery/cellular strength), and more. Caregivers also have access to additional tools for peace of mind that you’re always informed and connected.
Customer Support and Privacy Policies
- Personal Living Alert: Responsive, 24/7 US-based monitoring with agents specially trained to help guide users through questions and emergencies. Data is not shared with third parties, though it can be used to provide emergency response services and shared with first responders when necessary.
- Medical Guardian: Well-reviewed 24/7 US-based customer service, with customers highlighting short wait times, extensive tutorials, and a user-friendly monitoring center. The company’s privacy policy limits third-party sharing.
Personal Living Alert
Great in-home range
Flexible prices
2,000-square-foot range
Medical Guardian
Great variety
Call chain for caregivers
Sleek, stylish wearable devices
In-Home and Wearable Device Options
| Device type | Personal Living Alert | Medical Guardian |
|---|---|---|
| In-home systems | Yes | Yes |
| Pendants | Yes | Yes |
| Bracelets | Yes | Yes |
| Smartwatches | Yes | Yes |
Available Features and Add-ons
| Additional feature | Personal Living Alert | Medical Guardian |
|---|---|---|
| Fall detection | Select devices | All devices |
| GPS location tracking | Select devices have advanced tracking | Advanced tracking with pinpoint accuracy |
| Health tracking | Available on smartwatches | Available on smartwatches |
| Mobile app features | N/A | Caregiver app |
| Two-way communication | All devices | All devices |
| Wi-Fi connectivity | Available for select devices | Available for select devices |
| Wall button | Available for select devices | Available for select devices |
Examples of Personal Living Alert Systems
Personal Living Alert offers a variety of medical alert devices, including in-home systems, mobile pendants, and smartwatches. Every system uses a cellular network to connect to the monitoring center, and none of them require equipment or activation fees.
Great in-home range
Personal Living Alert
- Flexible prices
- 2,000-square-foot range
| PLA system | Monthly starting cost | Device type | Additional features |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA In-Home System | $29.99 | In-home (cellular) | Fall detection, 2,000 sq ft range, 60-hour battery backup, water resistant |
| PLA On-The-Go | $39.99 | Mobile and at-home (cellular) | Fall detection, nationwide coverage, two-way communication |
| Belle + LTE | $44.99 | Mobile and at-home (cellular) | Fall detection, Wi-Fi & GPS tracking, 5-day battery life, two-way communication |
| Champion Smart Watch | $49.99 | Mobile and at-home (cellular) | Fall detection, GPS tracking, two-way communication, water-resistant, health tracking |
| Independence Smart Watch | $55.00 | Mobile and at-home (cellular) | Fall detection, GPS tracking, health tracking, water resistant, two-way communication |
Examples of Medical Guardian Systems
Medical Guardian also has an extensive range of medical alert products, including pendants, wristbands, wall buttons, and more. Some in-home systems use a landline to connect to the help center, while their mobile systems rely on a cellular connection. You should also expect to pay an upfront equipment fee of $149–$199.
For another comparison, check out our Medical Guardian vs. Life Alert article.
Great variety
Medical Guardian
- Call chain for caregivers
- Sleek, stylish wearable devices
| Medical Guardian system | Monthly starting cost | Device type | Additional features |
|---|---|---|---|
| MGHome Landline | $27.95 | At-home (landline) | Waterproof help button, app compatibility |
| MGHome Cellular | $34.95 | At-home (cellular) | Fall detection, waterproof help button, app compatibility |
| MGMini | $39.95 | Mobile and at-home (cellular) | Fall detection, GPS tracking, app compatibility, 5-day battery life |
| MGMini Lite | $42.95 | Mobile and at-home (cellular) | Fall detection, GPS tracking, app compatibility, 5-day battery life |
| MGMove | $38.95 | Mobile and at-home (cellular) | Fall detection, GPS tracking, app compatibility, 3-day battery life, messaging features |
Our Conclusion: Medical Guardian Edges Ahead, but Personal Living Alert Remains a Strong Value Option
Whether you need a simple in-home medical alert system or an advanced mobile device, both Medical Guardian and Personal Living Alert offer a variety of products. Medical Guardian takes the edge on response times and app compatibility, while PLA systems boast superior battery life and backup battery. Both provide important features like automatic fall detection.
In the end, choosing the best medical alert brand for your situation requires understanding your budget and mobility needs. If you can afford upfront equipment fees, Medical Guardian is a great choice. Otherwise, Personal Living Alert is a well-reviewed company that also has a 24/7, US-based monitoring center.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Personal Living Alert vs. Medical Guardian
Yes, both Personal Living Alert and Medical Guardian devices offer automatic fall detection as an optional add-on. In most cases, it’s an extra $10/month.
Medical Guardian’s average response time of 8 seconds is over twice as fast as Personal Living Alert’s average response time of 18 seconds.
Compared to other medical alert companies, both PLA and Medical Guardian systems offer excellent battery life. However, Personal Living Alert’s systems are slightly better in this regard. They can last up to 5 days on a full charge, while around half of Medical Guardian’s systems only last 3 days.
Personal Living Alert requires no long-term contracts, while Medical Guardian may require a one-month contract. Neither company requires cancellation fees.
No, Personal Living Alert’s in-home and mobile systems use a cellular connection to contact the monitoring center when needed. Medical Guardian offers an affordable landline-based system for seniors seeking greater safety at home.
Many Personal Living Alert devices are classified as water-resistant, but the company does offer fully waterproof pendants for bathing. Some of Medical Guardian’s help buttons are waterproof, while base stations and mobile devices are often water-resistant.
While we generally don’t recommend Life Alert, other reliable medical alert companies include Bay Alarm Medical, MobileHelp, Lifeline, and more. Explore our reviews for more details.