The 7 signs
- A fall has already happened — even a minor one. Past falls are the single strongest predictor of a future fall.
- They live alone, especially without a check-in routine already in place.
- Balance or dizziness has become noticeable, even if it hasn't caused a fall yet.
- A chronic condition — heart disease, diabetes, epilepsy — raises the odds of a sudden medical event.
- Vision has declined, making trip hazards harder to spot.
- A recent hospital stay or surgery has temporarily or permanently reduced mobility or strength.
- Family members are anxious enough that it's affecting how often they call or visit — a sign the current setup isn't giving anyone peace of mind.
None of these alone means a medical alert system is mandatory — but two or more together are usually a reasonable trigger to start comparing options rather than waiting for an actual emergency to force the decision.
- Is it worth getting one before anything has actually happened?
- Many families prefer to set it up proactively, while the person can still choose and get comfortable with a device, rather than scrambling to decide during a hospital discharge.
- How do I bring this up without it feeling like an insult?
- Framing it around independence — "this lets you keep living exactly how you want, with backup" — tends to land better than framing it around decline or fear.