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6 Helpful Elderly Monitoring Systems for Senior Safety

11 minute readLast updated June 21, 2023
Written by Merritt Whitley, senior living writer and editor

Caregiving from a distance comes with its own set of unique challenges. But you may find peace of mind and a helping hand thanks to new technology, like caregiver alert systems and elderly monitoring devices.

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Key Takeaways

  1. Elderly monitoring systems can track a senior’s comfort, wellness, and safety. Information from these systems offer important health insights for a loved one’s family, caregivers, and medical professionals.
  2. Using an elderly monitoring system can have a wide range of benefits. Aside from enhanced safety, families often experience improved communication and symptom tracking.
  3. Each elderly monitoring system is unique. Choose one for your parent based on their needs and whether they want a mobile device or an in-home system installation.
  4. Consider your loved one’s budget. The cost of elderly monitoring devices can range drastically, and many come with monthly fees, service charges, and other additional costs.

A list of what is tracked by senior monitoring devices

What do elderly monitoring systems do?

You can use medical alert systems and other innovative senior products to help make your loved one’s life safer and easier. Monitoring systems for seniors collect a range of data like movement, temperature, behavioral and sleep patterns, and more. The information can then provide caregivers and medical professionals with important insights into a senior’s health and daily life.

Each device is unique but can generally track the following:

  • Comfort
  • Health
  • Safety
  • Wellness

Elderly monitoring systems can have a wide range of benefits, including enhanced safety for your loved one who’s aging at home, along with improved communication between the two of you. In particular, seniors with certain health conditions can benefit greatly from remote monitoring systems.

While not all senior monitoring devices are the same, many can track specific symptoms, including:

  • Diabetes
  • Weight changes
  • High blood pressure
  • Breathing patterns and asthma
  • Certain heart conditions

Monitoring systems can be used at home or in a senior living community, depending on the community’s regulations. Many devices include emergency buttons or use sensors to detect emergencies like fires or falls. Some can even make calls to the police or caregiver, either directly or indirectly, depending on the elderly monitoring system.

How do I choose a caregiver alert system?

When choosing an alert system to monitor a senior living alone, consider their needs and their budget. You’ll want to make note of the different functions the device has, too, as those will tell you how versatile it is.

To find the best fit, keep the following questions in mind:

  • Are there monthly data fees or other contractual obligations?
  • Does it have fall detection or prevention?
  • Does it have home security monitoring for fire, carbon monoxide, and smoke?
  • Does it need to be charged daily?
  • Will the software or any other components need to be updated regularly?
  • Where is it installed or attached, and how does it operate?
  • Is the device waterproof?
  • Is the information on the device secured?
  • Do you trust the company to protect private information?
  • What is the connectivity, mobility, and range of the sensor?
  • Will family members be able to connect to the device?

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Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.

Best systems for monitoring elderly parents remotely

Explore the following senior monitoring sensors that can track your loved one’s health and safety, and quickly alert your or their caregiver if there’s an emergency.

1. Medical Guardian

Medical Guardian is a medical alert system offering customizable features so you can tailor the system to meet your loved one’s specific needs. Their at-home alert system offers the option of connecting through a landline or a cellular connection, each at slightly different price points.

This system’s features include the following:

  • Easy installation
  • Fall detection
  • GPS tracker
  • Built-in Wi-Fi technology
  • Substantial battery life
  • 24/7 monitoring center staffed by trained emergency professionals

Medical Guardian also offers an assortment of mobile medical alert devices, including the Mobile 2.0 with a help button and advanced location detection, the Mini Guardian wearable monitoring device, and the MGMOVE smartwatch and medical alert system.

No matter what Medical Guardian device your loved one prefers, their family can monitor their loved one’s wellness and behavior remotely through the free caregiver app. Note that there may be some additional monthly fees depending on which features are selected.

2. Aloe Care Health

Aloe Care is a simple senior monitoring system designed to help caregivers stay updated on their loved one’s wellness without being too invasive. With mobile and in-home options available, its features include the following:

  • In-home, voice-activated “Smart Hub” console, which supports two-way calls with family, friends, and calls for help
  • 24/7 emergency response team
  • Emergency help button
  • Fall and motion detection
  • Motion sensor
  • Location tracker
  • Temperature and air quality monitor
  • Wearable help button included
  • Collaborative family care app included

3. Bay Alarm Medical’s SOS Home

Bay Alarm Medical is an affordable yet high-quality medical alert system with a variety of options to help keep your loved one safe at home. Their SOS Home alert system is great for those with a landline connection. Caregivers can also connect their loved one’s monitoring system to the Bay Alarm Medical App for remote location tracking and account management.

Their SOS Home system features the following:

  • A main in-home base console
  • Easy installation
  • 32-hour battery backup
  • 4G LTE capability
  • Two-way speaker
  • Built-in, waterproof help button with 1,000-foot range
  • Automatic fall detection
  • Wearable help button that, when pressed, initiates two-way communication with Bay Alarm Medical’s 24/7 call center
  • “Vial of Life” medical information sheet so EMS can help in an emergency
  • Optional lockbox add-on

Bay Alarm Medical also offers mobile alert options, including SOS Mobile, SOS All-in-One, and SOS Smartwatch. These are great options for active seniors and offer many of the same features as the SOS Home system.

4. Aeyesafe Monitoring Alert System

Aeyesafe Monitoring Alert System is a sound and thermal monitoring system that provides current and historical data. The system is voice-activated, so a senior can easily request help without having to press a button. The device also uses artificial-intelligence sensors that help monitor your loved one’s wellness and safety.

This device’s heat and sound monitors allow it to provide the following information:

  • Body temperature analysis
  • Sleep analysis
  • Danger detection
  • Abnormal behavior detection

Aeyesafe isn’t a wearable device — it’s voice-activated and operates from a distance using an at-home battery and power supply. It can report emergencies or unusual behaviors directly to the caregiver.

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5. Rest Assured

Rest Assured offers a range of in-home senior monitoring services that are tailored to and custom-built for each person’s needs and home. Family members can access live videos or sensor alerts through a protected online portal. The system can provide remote assistance with medication management and offers the unique service of remote caregivers who can provide periodic wellness checks.

Rest Assured can also detect the following:

  • Motion and any falls
  • Fires
  • Severe storms
  • Opening of doors and windows
  • Smoke or carbon monoxide
  • Glass breaking
  • Temperature
  • Bed or chair occupancy

6. Lorex Elderly Care Solutions

Lorex Elderly Care Solutions uses a Wi-Fi security camera system to monitor parents remotely. The camera system includes a microphone and speaker, allowing you to check in and communicate with your loved ones using your smartphone. It’s compatible with smart homes, can be controlled with no hands, and offers around-the-clock monitoring.

Additional features include the following:

  • Custom motion notifications
  • Full HD recording with digital zooming
  • Night vision
  • No monthly fees
  • Live video playback

It’s best to install cameras like these in strategic areas, preferably somewhere well-hidden so as not to feel too intrusive to your loved one. Such areas may include any stairways, the kitchen, on desks or shelves in living spaces, and near front and back doors. Remember, too, that you’ll likely need your senior loved one’s consent before installing cameras in their home.

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Meet the Author
Merritt Whitley, senior living writer and editor

Merritt Whitley writes and edits content for A Place for Mom, specializing in senior health, memory care, and lifestyle articles. With eight years of experience writing for senior audiences, Merritt has managed multiple print publications, social media channels, and blogs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Eastern Illinois University.

Edited by

Leah Hallstrom

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