| KinectedCare | Traditional Medical Alert System | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Monthly subscription fee under $5 |
Hardware purchase price $150 to $500+ Activation/setup fee $50 to $200+ Monthly subscription fee $25 to $60+ |
| Requires older adult to use a smartphone | Yes | No |
| Requires landline phone connection in home for base station | No | Yes |
| Makes cellular phone call to group when older adult says "Help Me" | Yes | No |
| Who answers the call when an older adult needs help | The people providing care: children, grandchildren, neighbors or friends | A call center located hundreds or thousands of miles away |
| What happens when help is needed | The caregiver(s) determines the appropriate next step | A call center can only dispatch police, ambulance or fire services |
| Does the older adult need the latest smartphone | No | N/A |
| Can those providing care use any smartphone | Yes | N/A |
| Do older adults perceive use with an age-related stigma | No, there is no pendant, simply a smartphone | Yes, common for older adults to not wear a traditional medical alert device |
| Can older adult get help when not wearing a traditional medical alert pendant | Yes | No |