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If they fell, who would know?

More than 14 million older adults, about 1 in 4, report falling every year. You may not need to buy anything to make sure someone would find out.

An older man's hand on a stair rail, wearing a simple smartwatch with a rose-red strap
Image made with AI.

Start with a person. It's free.

The simplest alert is someone who expects to hear from them.

  1. Pick a time. A text or call at the same time each day. If it doesn't come, someone calls.
  2. Name a backup. A neighbor who has a key and knows to go over.
  3. Keep a phone in reach. A landline or a charged phone near the bed, and emergency numbers in large print.

If you live far away, put it in a one-page plan, including who to call if nobody answers.

This isn't an emergency service. It only tells you something may be wrong, and it depends on people.

What their phone or watch already does

  • Apple Watch. SE, Series 4 or later, and Ultra have Fall Detection. It turns on by itself if their age is set to 55 or over. Otherwise: Watch app on the iPhone, My Watch, Emergency SOS, Fall Detection. After a hard fall, if they don't move for about a minute, it counts down for 30 seconds, then calls emergency services and their emergency contacts. Apple
  • iPhone. Check In tells you if they don't get home, or don't respond when a timer runs out. You both need iOS 17 or later. Apple
  • Pixel Watch. On the watch: Safety, then Fall detection. If they don't respond after a hard fall, it calls emergency services with a recorded message. It needs LTE or a nearby phone. Google
  • Pixel phone. Safety Check in the Personal Safety app sets a timer of 15 minutes to 8 hours. If they don't answer, their contacts get a text with their location. Google
  • Galaxy Watch. Hard fall detection is off by default. Turn it on in the Galaxy Wearable app, under Safety and emergency, and add an emergency contact. If they don't respond for 60 seconds, it sends an SOS to that contact. Samsung

None of these catches every fall. All three companies say so. Each one also needs the watch on the wrist, charged and connected. Set it up together, then test the emergency contact while you're there.

Before paying for a medical alert

If they won't wear a watch or don't carry a phone, a monthly service can make sense. Ask these questions first:

  • What's the monthly cost, and is there a contract or a cancellation fee?
  • Is automatic fall detection included, or is it extra?
  • Does it work without a landline, and away from home?
  • Who answers when it's pressed, and how quickly?
  • How often does it need charging?

Watch out for phone sales. The FTC has gone after robocalls selling “free” medical alert systems to older adults. Hang up on them.

We haven't reviewed any paid services yet.No company pays to be on this page. If that ever changes, we'll say so right next to the link.

Make a fall less likely

Exercise, a review of their medicines, eye and hearing checks, and a safer house all help. Handrails on both sides of the stairs, grab bars in the bathroom, night lights and no throw rugs are good places to start. The National Institute on Aging has a room-by-room list.

This is general information to help a family think things through. It isn't medical, legal, financial or insurance advice, and it can't judge your parent's situation. Read the disclaimer.

Where this comes from

Last checked October 30, 2026. Found something wrong? Tell us.

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