Medical Guardian vs. Aloe Care Health

Accidents and illnesses can happen to anyone at any time. Regardless of age, having a plan in place for how to receive immediate help can be the difference between life and death. For seniors, this is especially important, as they are more vulnerable to these circumstances.

This is the main reason why medical alert systems were created. These systems provide individuals with a way to receive quick and easy assistance in the event of an emergency. These systems often come with a base unit that is connected to a landline or cellular network as well as a wearable device such as a pendant or bracelet.

In the event of an emergency, users can simply press the button on the device, which will automatically connect them to the provider's emergency response agent who will then assess the situation and dispatch the appropriate help, whether that be emergency medical services, a loved one, or both.

Medical alert systems have been increasingly popular in recent years, as they provide a much-needed sense of security for users and their loved ones. There are a lot of medical alert companies in the market today and two of the most popular are Medical Guardian and Aloe Care.

Both companies offer a variety of medical alert system options to choose from, as well as additional features for added safety and protection. So, how do you know which company is right for you? We'll take a closer look at each company's products and services to help you find the right system for you and your loved ones.

	Medical Guardian	Aloe Care Health
Overall Grade	Overall Grade: A	Overall Grade: A
Costs
Monthly Cost Price	$29.95 - $39.95	$24.99 - $49.99
Device Cost	$0 - $199.95	$99.99 - $349.99
Shipping Fee	$12.5	n/a
Cancellation Fee	No fee	No fee
Fall Detection Fee	$1 - $10	n/a
Cellular Fee	n/a	n/a
Spouse Monitoring	$0 - $2.99	$29.99
Features
Connectivity Option	Cellular or Landline	Cellular or Landline
Two-way Speaker & Microphone	Yes	Yes
Home-based Back Up Battery Life	32 hours	4-6 hours
On-the-go Battery Life	120 hours, 120 hours or 24 hours	120 hours
Button Range	1400 ft, 500 ft or 1300 ft	200 ft or 200 ft
Water Resistant	Yes	Yes
GPS Tracking	Yes, some plans	Yes, some plans
Caregiver App	Yes, some plans	Yes
Response Time	20 seconds	30 seconds or 30 seconds
More Details	See All Plans	See All Plans

Medical Guardian

Pros:

• Availability of fall detection and GPS location tracking feature
• 24/7 US-based monitoring
• Plans can be customized according to preference
• Wide range of coverage for home-based systems

Cons:

• Spouse monitoring is not available on all devices
• One-time equipment fees are more expensive than the average in the industry
• Offers limited add-ons only

Aloe Care Health

Pros:

• Offers voice-activated systems for hands-free use
• Free caregiver app
• Availability of both home-based and on-the-go systems
• Availability of automatic fall detection feature
• Offers devices with built-in temperature and air-quality sensors
• Does not require long-term contracts
• Devices are sleek and modern-looking

Cons:

• Low monthly fees but high upfront device costs
• Devices cannot be connected to a landline

Medical Guardian Overview

Medical Guardian was established in 2005 and is one of the leading medical alert system companies in the United States. Their company is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and has a monitoring center that operates 24/7, including holidays.

Medical Guardian's home-based system starts at $29.95 a month with an additional $10 for fall detection. Whereas their on-the-go systems offer a fixed monthly monitoring fee of $39.95 with a one-time equipment fee that differs depending on the device. With this company, users have the option to customize their system to best fit their needs.

Medical Alert Systems

Classic Guardian

The Classic Guardian comes with a monthly monitoring fee of $29.95 a month. If users opt to add the optional wearable fall detection feature, it costs an additional $10 a month. The system includes a base unit with landline connectivity and a wearable help button that can be worn as a necklace or wristband.

The base unit also features an SOS flashlight and a backup battery that can last up to 32 hours so users could still get the help they need even in the event of a power outage. The wearable help button that comes with the system is water-resistant so users may take it even in the shower where accidents can still happen. Plus, it has a range that covers up to 1300ft from the base unit so you won't have to worry if you're in another room or even in the backyard.

Home 2.0

Home 2.0 is another home-based system that includes a base unit and a help button, which connect through a cellular network. The system costs $34.95 a month, with a one-time device fee of $124.95. You may also opt to add a wearable fall detection device for an additional $10 per month.

The base unit features a built-in speaker and microphone for clear two-way communication, as well as a backup battery that can last up to 32 hours. It has a range of up to 1400ft from the base unit, so you can be sure to get the help you need wherever you are in your home. This system also includes a waterproof wearable help button that can be worn as a pendant or wristband. Plus, it offers a more sleek and modern design than the Classic Guardian.

Mobile 2.0

This Mobile 2.0 comes with a monthly monitoring fee of $39.95 plus a one-time device cost of $124.95. The plan includes a portable, lightweight mobile base device that can be clipped to a belt or carried in a purse and a personal help button that can be worn as a pendant or wristband.

The mobile device has a built-in speaker and microphone for clear two-way communication and a battery that can last up to 5 days on a full charge. It's also waterproof, so you won't have to worry about it getting ruined if it gets wet. It can even be brought with you in the shower or out in the rain. Plus, the personal help button can work as far as 500ft away from the base unit.

Mini Guardian

The Mini Guardian comes with a monthly monitoring fee of $39.95 and a one-time equipment fee of $149.95. This system comes with a lightweight mobile help button that can be worn as a necklace, can be clipped to the user's belt or clothing, or can even be placed in a pocket. The mobile help button includes a built-in high-definition speakerphone that is used when communicating directly with an emergency response operator and a long-lasting battery that can go up to 5 days when fully charged.

This mobile device can be taken anywhere as long as there's a strong cellular network and it is waterproof so users won't have to worry about getting it wet when used outside during a rainstorm.

MG Move

This system comes with a monthly monitoring fee of $39.95 and a one-time equipment fee of $199.95. The MG Move is a waterproof smartwatch-like medical alert device that includes built-in fall detection, battery life of up to 24 hours, and a number of added features such as a step tracker and weather app. The device also comes with reminders for events or medications, and a button to call for help in an emergency. With this device, you'll never have to worry about forgetting something important again!

Aloe Care Health Overview

Aloe Care Health is known for offering voice-enabled devices so when users are unable to speak or reach their phone to call for help, repeating "emergency" a few times will activate the device and automatically connect you to an emergency response agent.

Aloe Care offers plans that range from $24.99 up to $49.99 a month. They don't require a long-term contract, so you may cancel their services anytime. They do, however, charge a one-time device fee that must be paid upon purchasing the plan.

Their monthly subscription fee already includes automatic fall detection, which other providers make you pay for separately each month. This is a great value that Aloe Care offers!

Medical Alert Systems

Mobile Companion

Aloe Care's 4G LTE Mobile Companion is a small, pocket-sized device that runs on the AT&T LTE network to provide nationwide coverage. The device includes two-way voice communication, real-time GPS tracking, and an automatic fall detection feature. It is waterproof and has a battery life of up to 5 days when fully charged. This system comes with a monthly monitoring fee of $24.99 plus a one-time device fee of $99.99.

Essentials

The Essentials plan costs $29.99 a month plus a one-time device fee of $149.99. This system consists of Aloe Care's Smart Hub and a wearable help button.

The Smart Hub functions as the base console and comes with built-in motion, temperature, and air quality sensors. It is voice-activated and it has a backup battery that can last up to 4 to 6 hours in case of a power outage. Whereas, the Help Button is a simple one-touch button that can be worn around the neck or wrist. The button's range is about 200 feet.

Essentials Plus

The Essentials Plus plan comes with a monthly monitoring fee of $39.99 plus a one-time device cost of $249.99. The system includes a Smart Hub base that is voice-activated, has a backup battery that can last up to 4 to 6 hours, and has built-in motion, temperature, and air quality sensors; a personal help button that can cover a range of up to 200ft; and a Mobile Companion device with wearable fall detection and AT&T LTE coverage nationwide.

Total Care

The Total Care plan costs $49.99 a month plus a one-time equipment fee of $349.99. The plan includes a Smart Hub that is voice-activated and has built-in motion, temperature, and air quality sensors; a wearable help button to call for help up to 200ft range; a Mobile Companion device with AT&T LTE coverage nationwide; plus additional mobile security features such as two motion sensors and a device with automatic fall detection that is best for use in the bathroom or kitchen.

Medical Guardian's plans range from $29.95 up to $39.95 a month while Aloe Care's plans range from $24.99 up to $49.99. They both charge one-time equipment fees for the devices they provide and it costs $124.95 up to $199.95 with Medical Guardian while it costs from $99.99 up to $349.99 with Aloe Care.

While it may look like Medical Guardian is the more affordable option between the two providers, users should also consider other costs that may add up such as shipping and extra button fees. Medical Guardian charges $12.50 for the shipping fee while Aloe Care offers it for free, though the company also offers expedited shipping for $40. Additionally, Medical Guardian charges an additional monthly fee of $2.99 for an extra button for spouse monitoring while Aloe Care only charges a one-time fee of $29.99 for the same service.

Furthermore, automatic fall detection costs an additional $10 a month with Medical Guardian while with Aloe Care, as mentioned earlier, it is already included in their monthly fees.

When it comes to pricing, both providers offer a variety of plans to choose from. However, Aloe Care's prices are more affordable overall, especially when you consider that their monthly fees already include automatic fall detection.

Let's now go over the features that both Medical Guardian and Aloe Care offer to their customers. This will help us determine which company provides more comprehensive protection and services.

Both providers offer a base station or console that acts as the primary communication device between the user and the monitoring center. The base stations have built-in speakers and microphones, allowing two-way communication. They also come with a backup battery in case of power outages. Medical Guardian's devices can last up to 32 hours on a backup battery while Aloe Care's devices can only last up to 4 to 6 hours. Moreover, Medical Guardian's devices can cover a range of up to 1400ft while Aloe Care's devices can only cover up to 200ft.

Additionally, Aloe Care's Smart Hub has built-in motion, temperature, and air quality sensors while Medical Guardian's base station does not have these features. However, Aloe Care's home-based systems connect only through a cellular network while Medical Guardian offers both cellular and landline options. This can be a major consideration for customers who live in areas with poor cellular signal.

In terms of the mobile devices that both providers offer, Medical Guardian has a Mobile Guardian device while Aloe Care has a Mobile Companion device. Both can be worn as a pendant or clipped to a belt. They also come with fall detection capabilities and AT&T LTE coverage nationwide.

Monitoring Center

The monitoring center is the heart of any medical alert system as it provides urgent assistance to users when they need it. Their monitoring centers are operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Medical Guardian and Aloe Care both have TMA Five Diamond Certified monitoring centers that are staffed with highly-trained emergency response operators. This means that they have undergone rigorous testing and inspections to ensure that they meet the highest standards in the industry.

One major difference between the two providers is that Medical Guardian's operators can speak English and Spanish. And even if you don't speak any of these two languages, their operators will still be able to communicate with you using a translation service. However, Aloe Care's services are currently available in English only but they are already working on incorporating the Spanish and Mandarin languages into their system.

Moreover, Medical Guardian's response time is an impressive average of 20 seconds while Aloe Care's response rate is at 30 seconds. This is a significant difference since every second counts in an emergency situation.

OUR PICK

After carefully comparing the features and services that both Medical Guardian and Aloe Care offer, we have concluded that Medical Guardian is the better provider.

Medical Guardian offers affordable prices, longer-lasting backup batteries, and their mobile devices have a wider range. Additionally, their monitoring center operators can speak English and Spanish and have a faster response time. Which are the major factors to consider when choosing a medical alert system provider.

Their price points can be a little higher than Aloe Care's but their comprehensive protection and services are worth the price. And with their wide range of affordable payment options, you can be sure to find a plan that fits your budget. After all, their price range is still within the average price points of other medical alert system providers in the market.