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Our Verdict
Bay Alarm Medical makes a variety of medical alert systems that provide a fast response time from a U.S.-based operator in the event of an emergency. Over many decades, the company has proved to be a trusted name in the health care industry. Bay Alarm Medical alert devices are sturdy and waterproof, and many include GPS tracking. Forbes Health testers found the set-up of each of its medical alert devices to be simple—and for extra guidance, the Bay Alarm website features short videos showing how to install and use its devices.
Key Features
- Four different medical alert systems are available, including a smartwatch; all devices include a 15-day risk-free trial period within which the product can be returned and refunded for all costs except shipping, according to the company.
- Website clearly details how each system works and offers transparency about optional add-on features and pricing.
- Costs are affordable compared to other medical alert products, ranging from about $24.95 to $64.95 per month, not including add-ons like fall detection.
- Service starts at $19.95/mo
- 2-way communication during an emergency
- 32-hour battery backup in the event of a power outage
- Help button has a signal range of up to 1,000 feet
- Up to 5 years of battery life
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Pros and Cons
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Offers several medical alert device options including a landline and smartwatch | Fall detection pendant is an additional cost |
| Fast, responsive customer service | Fall detection technology not 100% reliable |
| Monthly costs are similar or less than devices from similar companies | Upfront equipment fees for all devices except for home units, according to the company |
Bay Alarm is a family-owned national security company based in Concord, California. It was founded in 1946 and has its own in-house training facility. Bay Alarm makes burglar and fire alarms as well as video security systems. The medical alert side of the business began 10 years ago, according to a company representative.
Bay Alarm Medical Alert Systems at a Glance
- Plan options: A landline or cellular-powered home system; a mobile version; a wearable device and a smartwatch.
- Installation: Setting up each of the Bay Alarm devices is fairly simple; they are designed to be plug-and-play.
- Coverage: The SOS Home has a coverage range of up to 1,000 feet. For devices that use cellular service, the amount of coverage depends on the strength of the signal in your area.
Bay Alarm Medical alert currently offers the following devices—as well as a bundle option that includes multiple devices.
- SOS Home, the company’s most popular device, uses landline or cellular service to operate. The device’s base unit features a two-way speaker with a built-in help button, a wearable wrist button that can connect to the base unit and a backup battery that keeps the unit going for 32 hours during a power outage.
- SOS All-In-One 2 features a small oblong-shaped help button that can be clipped to a belt or worn around the neck with a lanyard and has a built-in two-way speaker and GPS for tracking. It can be worn while showering, sleeping or when a user is out of the house. This system also includes a smaller help button users can wear on their wrist or around their neck. Fall detection and 360° fall detection—meaning it can work with devices in and away from the home) are available to add on.
- SOS Micro is a small rectangular device with a help button in the center. It can be clipped to a belt or wristband or worn around the neck on a lanyard. It works with cellular service and GPS.
- SOS Smartwatch includes two-way communication capability and functions as a watch and step tracker.
How Do Bay Alarm Medical Alert Systems Work?
Bay Alarm Medical alert devices are designed to protect the health of older adults who live independently with 24-hour medical alert technology, according to the company. Active older adults with health conditions or mobility problems may feel more confident by having a medical alert system that can connect them with emergency assistance while they are in or around their home or on the go.
By pushing the help button on a Bay Alarm Medical alert device, the user is connected to a trained U.S.-based operator (available 24/7) who speaks with the person through the small but powerful two-way speaker in the device. The operator then contacts designated friends or family members or local emergency services if necessary, depending on an individual’s situation.
For an additional monthly fee of $10, a fall detection pendant can be added to several of the Bay Alarm Medical alert systems. Fall detection technology can sense when the person wearing the device takes a fall and will automatically connect that person with one of the company’s trained operators. Each year, millions of older adults are treated for fall injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), often resulting in hip fractures or head injuries, making medical alert devices with automatic fall detection particularly helpful for individuals living alone who may be prone to falling.
Bay Alarm also features GPS caretaker tracking on their SOS All-In-One and SOS Mobile systems, for no extra cost. This feature enables a caregiver or family member to identify the exact location of the person who is carrying or wearing the device.
- 24/7 on-the-go peace of mind
- Ultra-compact and lightweight
- 4G LTE connectivity
- Caregiver tracking app available
How Much Do Bay Alarm Medical Alert Systems Cost?
Bay Alarm Medical alert devices currently have the following costs:
Home Devices
| MEDICAL ALERT SYSTEM | SOS HOME LANDLINE | SOS HOME CELLULAR |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront equipment fee | None | None |
| Monthly fee | $19.95 ($239.40 per year) | $19.95 ($359.40 per year) |
| Fall detection available as an add-on feature | Yes, for $10.00 per month (requires one-time $30 device fee) | Yes, for $10.00 per month (requires one-time $30 device fee) |
Mobile-Friendly Devices
| MEDICAL ALERT SYSTEM | SOS ALL-IN-ONE 2 | SOS ALL-IN-ONE 2 WITH FALL DETECTION | SOS ALL-IN-ONE 2 WITH 360° FALL DETECTION | SOS MICRO | SOS MICRO WITH FALL DETECTION | SOS MICRO 360° BUNDLE | SOS SMARTWATCH | SOS SMARTWATCH WITH FALL DETECTION | SOS SMARTWATCH 360° BUNDLE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront equipment fee | $89.40 | $112.20 | $147 | $104.30 | $104.30 | $104.30 | $159.20 | $159.20 | $159.20 |
| Monthly fee | $34.95 ($419.40 per year) | $44.95 ($539.40 per year) | $54.95 ($659.40 per year) | $34.95 ($419.40 per year) | $44.95 ($539.40 per year) | $59.95 ($719.40 per year) | $39.95 ($479.40 per year) | $49.95 ($599.40 per year) | $64.95 ($779.40 per year) |
| Includes GPS caregiver tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The company’s SOS Mobile 360° Bundle, which is a combination of devices, is $59.95 per month with a $99 equipment fee. The bundle includes a home base unit, an SOS Mobile device, a wearable button, neck lanyard and wristband.
Free shipping and one free month of service is offered on select devices and plans.
The following add-on products and services are available for Bay Alarm Medical alert devices:
- Equipment Warranty: $4.95 per month
- Lockbox: One-time cost of $30
- Colorful covers for buttons worn around the neck: One-time cost of $25
- Colorful wristbands: $17 each
- Wall buttons for SOS Home: $42 for one wall button
What Experts Say
Bay Alarm Medical alert devices may be helpful for individuals with no dexterity issues who are living alone. “I think it’s a really good thing to have if the person’s relatively high functioning and is capable of pressing the button,” says Jennifer Voorlas, a certified gerontologist and patient care advocate at Geriatric Consultants in Malibu, California.
However, she notes the device may not be right for everyone.
“If somebody has dementia, they’re not going to remember to press the button, and they’re not going to remember to charge it,” she says.
In cases where an individual may not be capable of pushing the button in an emergency, it may be necessary to consider hiring an on-site caregiver, who can help charge the device and handle device technicalities, she says. “But you really have to do a careful assessment of [a person’s] needs and capabilities.”
Our Experience With Bay Alarm Medical Alert Systems
Bay Alarm Medical covers all the bases by offering different types of devices for a person to connect with emergency services should the need arise at home or while out and about. The design of the devices is simple and sturdy, and set-up and use are straightforward.
In testing the SOS All-In-One 2, for instance, our tester found that while the super-rugged stylings of its large base pendant may not be discreet, it seems built to last. Plus, there’s a lightweight wearable button that can be worn instead. The added fall detection functioned well in finding “seated slips,” but did not effectively respond to falls from a standing position. At one point during testing, the device had to be fully rebooted due to an apparent connectivity issue. Potential buyers should check that their AT&T cellular coverage is strong before purchasing.
The Bay Alarm Company has a Better Business Bureau rating of A+. Consumer Affairs gives Bay Alarm Medical a 4.5- out of 5-star rating with more than 3,600 reviews. Among customer Consumer Affairs, a number of complaints concern the difficulty in canceling the service. Many positive reviews mention the friendly and helpful customer service and praise the usefulness of the product.
