When it comes to supporting someone who lives alone, there are many tools on the market designed to give peace of mind. Two of them – Solo Alert and Medical Alert devices – sometimes get confused. While they’re both focused on safety, they actually do quite different things.
💚 Medical Alert devices are wearable alarms. They’re usually worn on the wrist or around the neck and rely on the person pressing a button in the event of an emergency. Many models also include fall detection, which may automatically trigger an alert if a sudden fall is detected.
💚 Solo Alert is different. It’s a twice-daily check-in app. Rather than requiring someone to actively push a button, Solo Alert prompts the person twice a day to confirm they’re okay. If a check-in is missed, the app automatically notifies their chosen safety circle.
💚 Request help option: Solo Alert also allows the person to actively request help at any time, sending an immediate notification to their safety circle. This works similarly to a Medical Alert button – but it does rely on the person having their phone with them, just like Medical Alert devices require the person to be wearing their device.
Here are the key differences:
🔹 Who takes action first
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Medical Alert: The person must press the button to call for help – or rely on the fall alert (if it’s available) if the device detects a sudden fall.
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Solo Alert: If the person is unable to act (for example, if their medical alert device is on charge, if they’re unconscious, feeling unwell, or in a medical crisis that doesn’t involve a detectable fall), Solo Alert steps in when they don’t check in.
🔹 When alerts happen
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Medical Alert: Immediate – triggered by button press or a detected fall.
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Solo Alert: Automatic – when a check-in is missed, or immediate if the person uses the request help feature. This covers situations where the person can’t physically reach out, hasn’t fallen, or simply wants support quickly.
🔹 How they’re used
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Medical Alert: Most helpful for sudden, urgent incidents where the person can trigger the alarm or is detected by fall alert (if it’s available).
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Solo Alert: Provides ongoing reassurance for everyday living, making sure someone checks in twice a day, with the added option to request help instantly.
💡 A real-life example:
Imagine an older adult slips over. If they’re wearing a Medical Alert device with fall detection, help can be summoned immediately. But what if they simply feel unwell in the morning, are too dizzy to move, or have a medical issue that doesn’t involve a fall? Solo Alert will notice a missed check-in and alert their safety circle, giving peace of mind in situations where a fall alert wouldn’t trigger. And if they do notice a problem and have their phone on them, they can also send an instant help request.
The truth is – they’re not in competition. They solve different parts of the same challenge. If you’re especially worried about someone who is frail, elderly, or managing health conditions, the two can actually complement each other beautifully. Medical Alert offers an instant lifeline in a crisis if they can reach it or if a fall is detected, while Solo Alert provides a safety net if they can’t check in and the option for an immediate alert when needed.
Together, they cover more bases – giving both the individual and their loved ones even greater peace of mind.
Download Solo Alert today:
👉 Solo Alert is live in the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/au/app/solo-alert/id6747101888
👉 Android is coming soon — join the waitlist: https://solo-alert.com
👉 60 day free trial then less than $1 per week!
#SoloAlert #SoloButNeverAlone #WhosGotYourBack #CheckIn #StaySafe
