There are a number of medical alert systems providers in Canada, each promising to deliver peace of mind, independence and security. However, the quality of equipment, reliability and service delivery differ among them.
One of the providers available to Canadians today is Bedford Medical Alert, which provides capable safety solutions to seniors and their caregivers—and is a solid choice for those who desire an entry level system at home or on the go. Bedford Medical Alert is a family owned and operated Canadian company. It is the Medical Alert Service arm of an electronic security and personal emergency response business.
Key Features
Bedford Medical Alert has a wide range of Home Freedom and Go Freedom devices that you can consider depending on your specific needs and requirements. The company provides five services in two groupings—Home Freedom and Go Freedom.
Its range of Home Freedom devices are designed for home use only and ideal for seniors who are at risk of falling, living with chronic conditions or living with limited mobility. Devices includes the Pendant, Mini, and Fall Detection devices. All these devices feature 24/7 monitoring, two-way voice communication, an emergency help button, and can be worn in the bath or shower. The Mini device comes in a smaller, more discreet size, and the Fall Detection device comes with a fall detection sensor.
The company’s range of Go Freedom devices is designed to be used at home and outside and doesn’t rely on a phone line. Apart from being the ideal solution if you need to travel away from your home, they’re also a good option for seniors who are at risk of falling, independent, but want additional peace of mind or are suffering from memory loss or memory issues.
These Go Freedom devices include the Go Anywhere and Stay Safe devices. Both these devices feature 24/7 care responder and monitoring, two-way voice communication, automatic fall detection, and can be worn in both the bath and shower. The main difference between the two is that the Stay Safe device features on-demand location services, while Go Anywhere only features an emergency GPS location service.
What We Like
With a wide range of devices, you can be sure that you’ll find a device that fits your specific needs and requirements. Some of the things we liked about Bedford Medical Alert devices include:
- Quality. Bedford Medical Alert devices are small, and lightweight—perfect for active users who don’t want to carry around a bulky system.
- Choice. You have a choice between a variety of devices that have features like GPS and fall detection.
- An exclusive focus on seniors. Because Bedford Medical Alert focuses on seniors, its devices have features that cater to the unique needs of seniors.
What We Disike
There are, however, some aspects of the Bedford Medical Alert products that we don’t like. For one, you’re unable to use the pendant when you need to charge it. This means that you won’t be protected during this time. Some of the other things we disliked about Bedford Medical Alert devices incluuded:
- GPS. Bedford Medical Alert relies solely on GPS for its mobile solution; however, there are many situations where GPS is not effective—in buildings owing to weak signals and when precise positions are needed.
- Shared services. Call centre is monitored by the electronic security business. Training is not specified by Bedford except to say that staff are “specifically vetted to work with seniors and vulnerable populations.”
Cost
Another important consideration when it comes to choosing the right medical alert system is cost. After all, security and safety should be something that is accessible to everyone. Here, you’ll have to consider what the monthly fee is, whether there’s an activation fee, whether you need to pay upfront for the device, and what you’re getting for the price you’re paying. Unfortunately, at the time of writing, the pricing for the range of Bedford Medical Alert products is not published on its website. So, for further pricing on plans and equipment, it’s best to contact Bedford Medical Alert for the latest pricing information or offers.
Reputation
Bedford Medical Alert is a well-known provider of medical alert systems in Canada and has been dedicated to providing innovative products to the Canadian market for three generations. It’s a family-owned and operated Canadian company that has over 35 years of experience in medical alert devices with a focus on the needs of seniors.
Summary and Recommendation
Medical alert systems can give seniors their independence back and allow them to live comfortably in their homes, safe in the knowledge that they have instant access to assistance in the case of an emergency. It is, however, important to choose the right product for your requirements. So, does Bedford Medical Alert’s range of products fit the bill? With its focus on seniors and wide range of products, Bedford offers you all the features you could possibly need to get the peace of mind you require. Pricing aside, it is a solid choice for those who desire an entry-level system at home or on the go.
Explore More Reviews
There are a number of medical alert systems providers in Canada, each promising to deliver peace of mind, independence and security. However, the quality of equipment, reliability and service delivery differ among them. We’ve researched dozens of companies to find the very best. Our expert reviews will provide you with everything you need to know to find the right system for you. Explore the best medical alert systems according to our editors.
Under the banner Tech For Seniors, WirelessWizard is pleased to share innovations for older adults—with a focus on deferring as much as possible the time when getting older gets in the way of living life independently. Check out all of tech-for-seniors content here.
