I'm trying to find a device for my mom to wear in the house. Something that would maybe have an app for my phone to notify me if she falls in a different room but that doesn't contact 911. She almost always has her cell phone with her. I also need one for when she's alone that does contact 911 if she needs it to. Does anyone know if they make one device that would do both of these functions? Thank you!!
"There are devices that can do both, but there's an important distinction:
When someone is home with her: You want you (or another caregiver) to be notified if she falls, not 911.
When she's alone: You want the device to be able to summon emergency help if she can't.
Many modern medical alert systems let you configure who gets contacted first, and some let you switch modes.
Here are the strongest options:
1. Medical Guardian (one of the best overall)
Pros
Automatic fall detection (optional)
Wearable pendant or watch
GPS for outside the home
Caregiver app
You can receive notifications
Can contact a monitoring center 24/7 when needed
Limitation: Most systems contact the monitoring center rather than dialing 911 directly. The monitoring center then calls you, family members, or EMS based on the situation. That's generally considered safer than calling 911 automatically.
2. UnaliWear Kanega Watch
This is an excellent option for someone who doesn't want to wear a pendant.
Features
Looks like a watch
Automatic fall detection
Waterproof
No smartphone required
24/7 monitoring
GPS
Voice communication through the watch
3. Apple Watch (if she's comfortable with technology)
If she reliably carries an iPhone (or the watch has cellular service), it can:
detect hard falls,
ask if she's okay,
notify emergency contacts,
call emergency services if she doesn't respond.
It also has excellent health features.
Downside: It needs charging every day or two and isn't ideal for someone with significant cognitive impairment.
4. Lively Mobile2
A lightweight pendant with:
fall detection,
GPS,
two-way voice,
caregiver notifications,
professional monitoring.
If she almost always carries her cell phone
If her phone is consistently on her, you might also consider adding:
the phone's built-in Emergency SOS features,
location sharing,
and, if it's an iPhone, a paired Apple Watch.
That combination can work very well for someone who is fairly independent.
Can one device switch between "notify me" and "call for help"?
Some systems and apps let you customize who gets contacted first, but very few automatically know whether you're in the house or away. If that's an important requirement, there are two practical approaches:
Professional monitoring all the time. If they receive a fall alert, they typically try speaking with your mom first. If she says she's okay, they don't dispatch EMS. If she doesn't respond, they follow the emergency plan you've set up.
A caregiver-focused system that lets you change notification settings in its app when you leave the house.
If she's often alone in the house but you're elsewhere in the same home
Another option worth considering is a home-based fall detection system that uses wall-mounted radar sensors instead of a wearable. Systems like Vayyar Home can detect falls in covered rooms without requiring the person to press a button or even wear a device. They can send alerts to caregivers, though they're generally used alongside—not instead of—a medical alert device for times when the person leaves the house.
Medical Guardian or UnaliWear Kanega Watch seem to be what may work best for your situation. They have strong reputations, automatic fall detection, and can notify caregivers while also providing access to emergency assistance when it's truly needed.
One thing to keep in mind: no wearable fall detector catches every fall. Depending on the study and the type of device, false alarms and missed falls do occur. For someone at high risk of falling, it's best to think of these devices as one layer of protection alongside regular check-ins, a phone within reach, and home fall-prevention measures."