We've had the device for around 20 months. We purchased through a local alarm company, and that has made a big difference in satisfaction because the unit has needed a lot of service. There are significant strengths to the product, but be aware of limiting issues. Many alert bracelets/pendents are only a call switch that activates a speakerphone on a base station.The reasons to consider the Medipendent is if you have somebody in a multi-room house or with a yard where the person in need can't be in earshot of a base-station with a 2-way speakerphone. This pendent is like a portable speakerphone, so that the person requesting assistance can talk with the alarm monitoring staff anywhere the pendent is within it's active area. This was a critical need for our use, and we find that the pendent has excellent distance performance from the base station. That is why we purchased the unit in the first place, and why we would do so again barring any other products that have that capability. There are a lot of shortcomings and frustrations though. But to interpret some of the other comments, please be aware that buyers must consider 3 different issues in such a purchase. One is the cost, design, and quality of the hardware. A second is the cost, quality of the support for the hardware should there be any malfunction. And the third is the cost/quality of the alarm monitoring service itselfcan provided by a different company on contract to the hardware vendor or by contract direct to the consumer.
As for the pendent, because it has a lot more functionality than the button-only pendents/wristbands, it is bigger. The next issue about the design is that they stupidly require the removal of 4 very small (size 0 I think) Phillips screws to change the battery. This means that any person who is vision impaired, has a tremor, or is just clumsy will have a challenge changing the batteries. In terms of performance, we have been astonished how quickly the batteries wear out. Our Medipendent uses a camera battery that is available at most grocery stores for around $10. These have never lasted more than 3 months, and typically die by around 10 weeks. Although the pendent offers a battery check routine, where pushing a button provides a verbal 'Battery is ok' announcement, this turns out to be near useless. I have never had it tell me that the battery is low. It only says 'Battery is ok' or else it's just dead. So there is no warning that the battery is weakening, which we have found can leave somebody at risk of having a dead unit at the time they need it. This happened recently to us, so I've decided to commit changing batteries on a 4-5 week schedule rather than waiting for it to die. We have also had hardware reliability problems. The base station has failed twice in 20 months and has had to be replaced. Fortunately, we purchased through a very reliable local alarm company which cheerfully had people come to the home to troubleshoot and replace as needed, at no additional cost to us. We do periodically test the connection to the alarm monitoring operators and that appears to work fine. All in all, the Medipendent hardware offers strengths compared to competing alarm products that could be important depending on the situation of the person being monitored. I think that the routine products should be fine for somebody confined to a smaller apartment. But for people mobile in large homes, or who go outside the home, the Medipendant may be a better solution. The larger size than those other products is not a problem for our use. But they have a poor design for the battery replacement, it needs a way to warn about weakening battery, and the hardware reliability has been poor.
Bought this at Costco in July 2012 for my Mom, age 87, when she had a health scare. Got it up and running with no problems. Excellent reception anywhere inside or outside the house (small house and property). Doesn't work a block away, but it's not designed to do that.
Just tested (01/29/2013) by connecting to the call center ... good, clear connection and easy to understand the operator ... still on the first battery supplied with the unit. Original purchase included 6 months service. We renewed that at a "semi-annual" rate of $22.95/month (by paying $137.70 within the first 30 days for a "special" renewal rate).
It provides the security Mom needs when home alone. For now, we figure when she's away from home, someone will be there to call for help. If you prefer, there are a couple of newer options (not Medipendant), which cost a bit more/month and offer coverage anywhere (home or away). Whatever you do, watch out for long term contracts especially with Life Alert (3 years!!). All interactions with Medipendant staff have been polite and helpful. Did have to wait for a call back on a question about our account but it wasn't time critical and they called back within a couple of hours.
The pendant is a bit larger than most, but it's lightweight and worth it to be able to speak and listen directly into the pendant rather a base station in another room.
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I had questions before I bought this for my in-laws. Called the toll-free number and Justin answered all of my concerns and even faxed all of the documents before I ordered (through Ebay). Installed the two units on a Sunday afternoon and encountered a problem. Called the service number and Justin (again) patiently talked me through the fix. Even gave me his cell phone number in case I didn't resolve everything (in Arizona, not Asia.) Great service and product.
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The Medipendant is a great idea and I got one for my father. I installed it and immediately had a problem with the base unit because the button was stuck down. Customer service sent out a new one very quickly. With the working unit, I tested the range and was very surprised how well it worked.
My father decided to move into an assisted living facility so we returned the unit for a refund. It took almost four months and numerous emails to receive the credit. They kept telling me it had been processed even though it never showed up on the credit card. It took a threat of contacting the BBB and the Attorney General's office before I actually received a "receipt" of the credit being processed on that same day as the email. The excuse was, "We screwed up again." Horrible experience. Based on the customer service aspect, I can't recommend the company. Based on the device alone, I would as long you receive a working unit. As of today, the credit company still has no record of the credit.
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I recently lost my father due to a sudden heart attack. He was only 67, I really wish he had the Medipendant as it would of most likely cut the emergency response time and saved his life. My mother has atrial friberlation and a mitrial valve leak. Her health had greatly diminished after my fathers death. I work full time for one of the largest financial banks in the world. I have a high position and am directly responsible for over a billion in assets under management. The Medipendant is truly the solution I had been searching for, as I do not have much support and very little down time. The fact that you can choose between having an emt or being directly connected to a family member, a neighbor or a friend is very comforting. This product is extremely well made and has a longer battery life vs lifealert or adt pendant monitoring. There is no competition out there that can even touch the Medipendant, not to mention the increased range and 2 way communication available by speaking directly into the pendant. I highly recommend this product to everyone with an elderly loved one.
Check out this product video on the Medipendant by Medical Alarm Concepts at the company website (medipendant com)MediPendant Alarm & Monitoring Kit
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