In-home systems
An in-home system connects a wearable button to a base unit plugged in at home, which dials a monitoring center over a landline or cellular connection built into the base. Range is typically 300-600 feet from the base, covering most homes and yards, but nothing further — a walk to the mailbox at the end of a long driveway may fall outside range.
Mobile systems
A mobile (cellular) system has its own connection built into the wearable itself, so it works anywhere there's cell coverage — at the grocery store, on a walk, while traveling. Many also include GPS location sharing, useful for a faster emergency response outside the home.
Which one fits
If daily life happens almost entirely at home, an in-home system is simpler and often cheaper. If the person is still driving, walking the neighborhood, or traveling regularly, a mobile system is worth the modest price difference — most falls and emergencies for active older adults happen outside a house's four walls just as often as inside them.
- Can I get both types?
- Some providers bundle an in-home base with a mobile add-on for full coverage, at a higher monthly cost.
- Do mobile systems need a smartphone?
- No — most mobile medical alert devices have their own built-in cellular connection and work independently of a phone.