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Medical Care Alert vs. Personal Living Alert
Medical Care Alert and Personal Living Alert (PLA) monitoring systems have similar monthly costs, but PLA generally offers faster response times and longer-lasting battery life. Medical Care Alert offers compatible senior care apps, whereas PLA does not.
Great fast response
Certified responders
No equipment charges
Great in-home range
Flexible prices
2,000-square-foot range
Updated:
At a glance:
- Personal Living Alert’s medical alert services range from $30–$55/month, depending on the device, while Medical Care Alert services fall between $30–$40/month.
- PLA’s average response time (18 seconds) is nearly twice as fast as Medical Care Alert’s average of 31 seconds. However, Medical Care Alert’s compatible apps give loved ones and caregivers better access.
- PLA systems deliver industry-leading battery life: mobile devices last up to 5 days on a single charge, and in-home systems include a 60-hour backup battery. Medical Care Alert systems have battery life lasting up to 3 days.
When you want to avoid assisted living or nursing homes, medical alert systems are an essential investment. They play a key role in helping older adults age in place safely by connecting them to a dedicated monitoring center or emergency contacts during medical emergencies.
However, with countless medical alert companies to choose from, picking the best monitoring service for your senior living situation requires a bit of know-how.
Luckily, our team analyzed two popular medical alert brands, Medical Care Alert and Personal Living Alert (PLA), so you can draw your own conclusions. From in-home base stations to wearable devices, read on to learn more about system costs, add-ons, response times, battery life, and more.
Medical Care Alert vs. Personal Living Alert: Side-By-Side Comparison
| Pricing and features | Medical Care Alert | Personal Living Alert |
|---|---|---|
| In-home base unit starting price | $29.95/month (landline) $34.95/month (cellular) | $29.99/month (cellular) |
| Mobile device starting price | $39.99/month | $39.99/month |
| Automatic Fall detection price | $10/month | $10/month |
| Minimum contract required | No long-term contracts | No long-term contracts |
| Average response time | 31 seconds | 18 seconds |
| Smartwatch option | Yes | Yes |
Comparing Personal Living Alert and Medical Care Alert Systems
To help you find the best medical alert system for your situation, we’ve compared the device types, monitoring services, and add-ons offered by both companies.
Activation Fees and Monthly Costs
- Medical Care Alert: In-home, landline-based systems have the lowest monthly cost ($29.95/month), while mobile smartwatches and GPS tracking systems start at $39.99. There are no upfront activation fees, and the only device with an equipment fee is the smartwatch ($149.95).
- Personal Living Alert: All devices use a cellular network, with monthly fees for in-home systems starting at $29.99 and on-the-go help buttons and smartwatches ranging from $40 to $55/month. There are also no equipment or activation fees.
Emergency Response Speed
- Medical Care Alert: While some users report average response times under 25 seconds, independent reviews put that number closer to 31 seconds. Either way, PLA will generally answer your emergency call faster.
- Personal Living Alert: It typically takes about 18 seconds to reach the call center for emergency services, meaning response times are nearly twice as fast as Medical Care Alert’s.
Battery Life and Reliability
- Medical Care Alert: Most devices have a 72-hour battery life on a full charge, meaning they can last up to 3 days. In-home, landline-based systems also have a 72-hour backup battery. Compatible apps can also send charging notifications to caregivers and family members.
- Personal Living Alert: Many systems can last up to 5 days on a full charge, giving PLA industry-leading battery life. In-home base units also include a 60-hour backup battery.
Mobile App Integration
- Medical Care Alert: Depending on the device, both the Medical Alert Connect app and the RemoteCare 24/7 app can be used to monitor device status, track location, and stay connected with caregivers. This gives seniors more confidence in their health care.
- Personal Living Alert: The lack of a dedicated app may reduce peace of mind for some, but it also simplifies services for seniors who aren’t tech-savvy.
Customer Support and Privacy Policies
- Medical Care Alert: Devices include a 14-day risk-free trial. There are no cancellation fees. Users also report that the 24/7 US-based monitoring center is insightful and satisfactory. The company’s privacy policy limits third-party sharing.
- Personal Living Alert: Also offers access to a 24/7, US-based monitoring center with no cancellation fees. Responders regularly help guide users through questions and emergencies. Data is not broadly shared with third parties.
Medical Care Alert
Great fast response
Certified responders
No equipment charges
Personal Living Alert
Great in-home range
Flexible prices
2,000-square-foot range
In-Home and Wearable Device Options
| Device type | Medical Care Alert | Personal Living Alert |
|---|---|---|
| In-home systems | Yes | Yes |
| Pendants | Yes | Yes |
| Bracelets | Yes | Yes |
| Smartwatches | Yes | Yes |
Available Features and Add-ons
| Additional feature | Medical Care Alert | Personal Living Alert |
|---|---|---|
| Fall detection | Select devices | Select devices |
| GPS location tracking | Select devices have advanced tracking | Select devices have advanced tracking |
| Health tracking | Available on smartwatches | Available on smartwatches |
| Mobile app features | Medical Alert Connect and RemoteCare 24/7 | N/A |
| 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 Medical Care Alert Systems
Medical Care Alert offers several options for in-home and mobile medical alert devices. In-home systems can use either a landline or a cellular connection to reach the monitoring center. Mobile systems are available as a tracked pendant or a smartwatch. Smartwatches are the only system that requires equipment fees ($149.95). There are no activation fees.
Great fast response
Medical Care Alert
- Certified responders
- No equipment charges
| Medical Care Alert system | Monthly starting cost | Device type | Additional features |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOME Emergency Medical Alert System | $29.95 (landline) $34.95 (cellular) | In-home (landline or cellular) | Fall detection, two-way communication, water-resistant help button, up to 1,000-ft range, lockbox |
| HOME & AWAY MINI GPS Medical Alert System | $39.95 | Mobile and at-home (cellular) | Fall detection, GPS tracking, two-way voice communication, water-resistant, companion app, 3-day battery life |
| Senior Smart Watch With GPS | $39.95 | Mobile and at-home (cellular) | Fall detection, GPS tracking, two-way communication, water-resistant, companion app, 2-day battery life |
Examples of Personal Living Alert Systems
All PLA systems use a cellular network to reach the help center, including their in-home base stations, mobile pendants, and smartwatches. There are no equipment or activation fees. However, there is also no companion app to pair with the systems.
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, lockbox |
| PLA On-The-Go | $39.99 | Mobile and at-home (cellular) | Fall detection, nationwide coverage, two-way communication, lockbox |
| Belle + LTE | $44.99 | Mobile and at-home (cellular) | Fall detection, Wi-Fi & GPS tracking, 5-day battery life, two-way communication, lockbox |
| Champion Smart Watch | $49.99 | Mobile and at-home (cellular) | Fall detection, GPS tracking, two-way communication, water resistant, health tracking, lockbox |
| Independence Smart Watch | $55.00 | Mobile and at-home (cellular) | Fall detection, GPS tracking, health tracking, water resistant, two-way communication, lockbox |
Our Takeaway: Medical Care Alert Is More Affordable, but Personal Living Alert Leads in Speed and Battery Life
Instead of relying on cell phones to dial 911 in emergencies, which can be a lengthy and unreliable process, medical alert companies provide seniors with fast, life-saving monitoring services. If you’re deciding between Medical Care Alert and Personal Living Alert, there are important differences between the two.
Medical Care Alert offers slightly more affordable smartwatches and a useful companion app, while PLA boasts superior response times and battery life. Both companies offer important features like automatic fall detection.
Ultimately, you should weigh your current budget, mobility needs, and lifestyle to determine the best medical alert company for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) When Comparing Medical Care Alert vs. Personal Living Alert
PERS and medical alert systems refer to the same devices, though the term PERS is often used in a health care context.
Yes, both Personal Living Alert and Medical Care Alert devices offer automatic fall detection. It’s typically an optional add-on that increases the price by $10/month.
Personal Living Alert’s average response times are nearly twice as fast (18 seconds) compared to Medical Care Alert’s average of 31 seconds. However, both offer better response times than companies like Life Alert.
PLA devices boast some of the best battery life in the industry, with devices capable of lasting up to 5 days on a full charge. Medical Care Alert devices typically last 2–3 days.
Neither PLA nor Medical Care Alert services require long-term contracts, and there are no cancellation fees.
Medical Care Alert offers an affordable, in-home landline system. On the other hand, all Personal Living Alert devices use a cellular network to connect to the monitoring center.
No, both brands focus on medical alert devices. Some companies, like Lively, offer Jitterbug phones for seniors.
Other reliable medical alert companies include Bay Alarm Medical, Medical Guardian, MobileHelp, Lifeline, and more. Explore our reviews for more details.