A medical alert system (also known as a medipendant) is specifically designed for elderly and disabled people, who can use it in the event that they need urgent assistance. It provides timely, professional and beneficial help in a number of ways, and is more useful and more reliable than using a cell phone to call 911..

The first advantage that these devices have over cell phones is their convenience. They can be worn on the wrist like a watch, or hung around the neck; either being a better place than in a pocket, which can easily become inaccessible should someone fall awkwardly. They also lightweight and compact, even more so than the smallest of cell phones.

Then, they are more robust and, unlike with a cell phone, dropping one will not cause any damage. They can even be taken in the shower, or worn whilst having a bath, as they are completely waterproof. The manufacturers of them have so much faith in their products that a long-term guarantee is standard.

Another problem with cell phones is the size of the buttons, which are extremely small, making them difficult for people with unstable hands or poor sight to use. Medical alert systems, on the other hand, have just one very large, easy to press button, that opens up a direct line of communication with a health care specialist.

Then, there is flexibility to consider too. It is standard procedure to send out an ambulance when an elderly or disabled person calls 911, as they are considered high risk callers, even though that is not always what the caller really needs. There are more options offered with a medical alert system, such as having a doctor sent out instead of an ambulance, a nurses appointment being made for the following day, or just a friend or relative being contacted.