Best Medical Pagers

Buying guide for Best medical pagers

When you’re not nearby to aid a loved one when they need help, what can you do? It can be stressful to worry about what happens if you’re not around, and sometimes, cell phones aren’t within reach. That’s why investing in a medical pager is a reliable alternative for a solution that is always at hand.

Medical pagers are lightweight, wearable devices designed to keep communication as streamlined as possible since time is often of the essence. In the event of an emergency, your loved one can press a button to alert a caregiver or connect with a centralized monitoring network that can dispatch help.

The number of receivers and their range can vary greatly from one set to the next, so choosing a medical pager that works well in your home is essential. In addition, you should consider the needs of your loved one to find a pager that is easy for them to use.

Choosing the right medical pager to keep your loved one safe can be an intimidating decision, but it doesn’t have to be. To learn more about the types of medical pagers available, continue reading our buying guide.

Compare the weight of medical pagers before making a final choice. For the most part, they only weigh a few ounces, but heavier ones could be cumbersome and get in the way of everyday life.

Who uses medical pagers?

Medical pagers aren’t just for seniors. Non-verbal children can utilize medical pagers to communicate with parents and educators. Medical pagers are also used by individuals who have recently undergone surgery and aren’t ambulatory. In this case, they can get in touch with family members in the home through the press of a button instead of shouting for them or texting them.

How medical pagers work

Medical pagers consist of a system of transmitters and receivers. Essentially, the transmitter is the button-operated wearable device that, when pressed, sends a signal to the receiver, which then emits a loud sound to call for help. In more advanced systems, medical pagers connect with monitoring companies who respond by dispatching help from emergency personnel.

Key considerations

Transmitter

The transmitter, or pager, is designed to be as easy to operate as possible. It usually consists of a device smaller than a deck of cards with a single large button.

This is an important feature to compare between models, as some individuals have dexterity issues and definitely need a button that is easy to press. There are also individuals who are visually impaired and require pagers with braille or a backlit button.

Pagers are generally worn on a lanyard that comes with the system. Some people affix pagers in bathrooms near tubs, in bedrooms near nightstands, and near stairs so they’re accessible in the event your loved one falls and isn’t wearing their pager. As you can imagine, there’s a bit of redundancy with pagers to ensure all bases are covered and emergency communication is always within reach.

Receiver

Receivers are placed throughout the home or coverage area. These devices, usually mounted, receive the signal from pagers and initiate a sound alert. Alerts are generally in the form of beeps or chimes, though some receivers can be programmed with songs or unique sounds. Some receivers also have adjustable volume.

More expensive receivers aren’t connected within the home but rather exist in the form of a monitoring company. With these medical pagers, the monitoring signal receives a signal from the pager. If the monitoring company doesn’t hear from the individual within a short time frame, emergency personnel are dispatched to their home.

Range

Most medical pager systems have an operating range of around 500 feet. It might be enough in a small home, but if you have more than one floor, you should install multiple receivers to increase the range. If you’re not sure how many receivers you should install, call the manufacturer with the square footage and design of your home to hear their recommendations.

Advanced features worth considering

Lights

Pros: Medical pagers with lights can help the wearer locate buttons more easily.

Cons: These pagers tend to deplete batteries more quickly. Some pagers have lights that indicate when they’re on or connected, which could be distracting or bothersome.

Home assistant compatibility

Pros: When medical pagers are compatible with home assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant, you can call for help even if the pager isn’t within reach. The coverage area is also extended, especially if you have more than one hub.

Cons: This feature is usually fairly expensive. There’s also a bit of a learning curve with these models as well as the potential for false alarms.

Monitoring companies

Pros: If you live alone, a medical pager system that alerts a monitoring company is a convenient, safe way to ensure you’re always connected to someone who can help.

Cons: There’s usually a hefty monthly subscription fee with these, and if you don’t respond to a call in time — even if it’s a false alarm — you’ll end up with a visit from emergency services.

Accessories

AA batteries

Duracell CopperTop AA Alkaline Batteries, 16-Count
Many medical pagers run on AA batteries, so you’ll need reliable ones from a trusted brand. We like this pack from Duracell, which boasts long-lasting power. The batteries are guaranteed for 10 years in storage. Duracell also stands behind their batteries, so if they fall short of expectations, they’ll replace them immediately.

Lanyard

Thread Wallets Cool Lanyards Keychain Holder
It’s important to secure your medical pager to a lanyard that won’t break or slip off easily. We like this one from Thread Wallets, which comes in over two dozen patterns. Its stainless steel keyring is attached to a sturdy suede strip. These lanyards are made from a soft, lightweight polyester weave comfortable enough to wear all day.

Medical pager prices

Medical pagers generally cost between $20 and $200, depending on how advanced their alert system is.

Inexpensive

Budget-friendly medical pagers are available for less than $25, though these tend to have limited range and only include one transmitter and a couple of pagers.

Mid-range

These medical pagers cost between $30 and $75. These systems include at least two or three transmitters and pagers and often have customizable settings.

Expensive

Premium medical pagers cost between $100 and $200 and often come with several transmitters and pagers. These feature customized monitoring networks that dispatch local emergency personnel and normally require a monthly fee.

Tips

• Watch tutorial videos. To ensure setup goes smoothly, watch videos to configure your medical pager system, as there tend to be mixed reviews on print manuals.
• Check the condition of the lanyard often. It’s important to frequently check whether the lanyard is in good condition and won’t break. Some consumers prefer buying a high-quality lanyard for this reason.
• Check batteries often. For medical pagers that take alkaline batteries, run monthly checks to ensure they’re in good working condition.
• Confirm the range. Even though medical pagers advertise their operation range, it’s still important to check the coverage area in your home. Depending on the size of your home, you may need additional transmitters to increase the range.

Make sure that both parties — you and your loved one — are completely confident in operating the medical pager. If you have any questions or concerns, call the manufacturer to walk you through installation and basic usage tips.

FAQ

Q. Should my loved one sleep with a medical pager?

A. They could, however, the lanyard may be a hazard if it wraps around their neck when they shift positions in bed. Some people attach a pager by Velcro to a headboard or nightstand to be within reach in the event they fall or experience a medical emergency. Medical pagers with advanced capability and home assistant compatibility can be voice-activated, so it’s worth considering adding an assistant hub in the bedroom.

Q. Can I travel with a medical pager?

A. Yes, though it’s a good idea to remove the batteries and keep the system inside your checked baggage. Otherwise, if your pager is activated, it will continue beeping inside your luggage and cause a massive security holdup. It’s also a good idea to keep your medical pager and accessories in a clear bag inside your luggage so if TSA chooses to search your suitcase, they can locate all electronic parts quickly.

Q. How loud is a medical pager alert?

A. It varies between manufacturers, but for the most part, it’s somewhere in the range of 50 to 90 decibels. That means its volume is comparable to that of vacuum cleaners or hair dryers. Basically, it’s loud enough to draw attention but isn’t piercing or strident.