MobileHelp Duo System with Fall Button Review
Getting older often means managing multiple medical conditions, such as vision and hearing loss, reduced mobility and balance issues, which can be worrisome for seniors and their loved ones. The good news is that monitored medical alert systems can help older adults retain their independence and reduce stress on caregivers by ensuring that help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
These simple, low-maintenance systems link a wearable emergency help button with a call monitoring center staffed by trained operators. Users simply press their help button to initiate a call for assistance, which triggers a two-way call via a speaker and microphone either on the base unit or on the medical alert button itself.
Finding the right medical alert system for your particular situation can be a challenge, so to help streamline the process we’ve prepared a series of reviews covering the top personal emergency response systems and devices.
In this article we take an in-depth look at the MobileHelp Duo System with Fall Button. Below you’ll find an overview of the features of this mobile medical alert system along with a summary of the costs, pros and cons and frequently asked questions.
What is the MobileHelp Duo System?
MobileHelp Duo is a cellular-connected monitored medical alert system from MobileHelp, a medical alert company headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida.
Call monitoring services for the MobileHelp Duo are delivered by Rapid Response, an emergency service provider that operates two call centers located in Corona, California, and Syracuse, New York. Rapid Response has some of the highest operator standards in the industry, and they only hire applicants who clear extensive background checks and have completed at least two years of post-secondary education or military service.
The system works on the nationwide AT&T cellular network, so subscribers can enjoy medical alert coverage at home and while out and about. It includes a base station equipped with a speakerphone, test button and emergency button, along with a lightweight waterproof help pendant and a mobile medical alert pendant.
MobileHelp Duo with Fall Button Features
As with most medical alert systems, the MobileHelp Duo system is designed for ease-of-use by those who aren’t familiar with wireless devices, have poor dexterity or who live with vision loss. The help buttons have braille and are made with touch-friendly silicone, and the wireless charging cradle eliminates charging cables.
The system connects to the MobileHelp call monitoring center using the AT&T wireless network, so users don’t need a landline phone, and the base unit can be plugged into any electrical outlet that isn’t operated by a wall switch. Cellular service costs for the system are included in the monitoring fees as is the use of all the equipment. Upon cancellation of the service, subscribers must return their MobileHelp Duo hardware before a prorated refund for any unused service is issued.
There are two help buttons included with the system — a small pendant or wrist-mounted button and a larger, all-in-one device that works outside the home. Users can trigger their system up to 1400 feet away from the speaker-equipped base unit when they’re at home, while the on-the-go help button works wherever there is an AT&T cell phone signal in the United States. Both panic buttons are safe for use in the shower, and the smaller button is equipped with a long-lasting, non-rechargeable battery.
A notable feature of this medical alert system is the option to add automatic fall detection. For an additional $10 per month, users can upgrade to a medical alert pendant with onboard sensors that detect when a user experiences a fall, which triggers an automatic call to the MobileHelp monitoring center.
MobileHelp Duo with Fall Button Costs
MobileHelp monitoring plans for the MobileHelp Duo medical alert system start at $36.95 per month; however, users need to purchase an annual plan to get the lowest possible price. Other subscription options include a semiannual, quarterly or month-to-month plan, all of which include a second pendant or wrist button as well as a combination lockbox that can be used to store a spare house key.
Note: Fall detection is an optional feature that costs an extra $10 per month.
MobileHelp Duo with Fall Button Plans | Total Cost | Per-Month Price | Lockbox | Fall Detection | Second Wearable Help Button |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Monthly | $41.95 | $41.95 | Included | +$10/month | Included |
Quarterly (three months) | $119.85 | $39.95 | Included | +$30/quarter | Included |
Semiannual (six months) | $221.70 | $36.95 | Included | +$60/six months | Included |
Annual (12 months) | $443.40 | $36.95 | Included | +$120 per year | Included |
Who Should Use the MobileHelp Duo Fall Detection Medical Alert System?
The MobileHelp Duo system with fall button provides comprehensive protection at home and in the community, making it ideal for those who are seeking a medical alert system that works almost everywhere. The automatic fall-detection feature adds an extra layer of insurance for users who are prone to falls that are worried about not being able to activate their help button if they suffer from a sudden fall.
Pros and Cons of the MobileHelp Duo System with Fall Button
When searching for the best medical alert system for yourself or loved ones, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of each device and provider.
Pros of MobileHelp Duo:
- Users have nationwide medical alert coverage anywhere AT&T cellular service is available
- The help buttons are water-resistant and safe to wear in the shower
- No landline phone needed
- Installation is quick and easy for most consumers
- The mobile help button includes a speaker and microphone to enable clear, two-way conversations with the call monitoring center
- LED lights on the mobile device make monitoring the battery life simple
- No activation fees or long-term contracts
- The in-home button works up to 1400′ from the base station (depending on the layout and construction of the home)
- The backup battery in the base station powers the unit for up to 30 hours
- Monitoring center staffed by certified operators who are fluent in English and Spanish
Cons of MobileHelp Duo:
- The mobile help button needs to be recharged every 24 hours
- No GPS location tracking
- Pricing is higher than some comparable medical alert systems
- Subscribers need to purchase an annual service plan in order to get the lowest monthly monitoring price
MobileHelp Duo FAQs
How often does the mobile help button need charging?
The MobileHelp Duo mobile help button is powered by a built-in battery that requires regular charging on the included charging cradle.
Under normal conditions, the battery needs to be recharged every 24 hours or so.
Will the in-home help button work during a power outage?
MobileHelp’s in-home base unit comes with a backup battery designed to power the unit for up to 30 hours in the event of a power outage. MobileHelp subscribers can also utilize their mobile help button at any time.
Can I take my MobileHelp Duo system with me while on vacation or visiting family?
The MobileHelp Duo with fall button medical alert system works nationwide. Simply take the device and charger with you to enjoy access to your medical alert service while traveling or visiting with family anywhere in the United States.
How can I make sure my MobileHelp Duo system is working correctly?
MobileHelp recommends that users conduct a monthly system test using the built-in test button located on the base unit. There is no cost for this test.