CVS Pharmacies announced in early 2021 that they are now providing a medical alert system that consists of a voice activated hub, a wearable device for your wrist or neck and smart devices to put throughout your home.
This system comes with fall detection and motion sensors that can be placed throughout the house.
You can purchase these items in a bundle or separately.
The Symphony Features Include
The services provided by Symphony come in two bundles.
The Essential Bundle
- 24/7 emergency response monitoring
- ability to add an unlimited number of contacts to your list
- easy to set up and use
- all the devices are connected to a voice activated smart hub that has the capability to sense motion, room temperature and air quality
- wearable devices for your wrist and neck
- fall detection capability
- free app so that caregivers can monitor the system
- unlimited number of check in calls
The Basic Bundle
The services that the basic bundle does not offer are the fall detection, motion sensors and unlimited number of contacts for your list.
How Does The Symphony System Work?
Very similar to other medical alert device systems, there are 3 basic steps to setting up and working with CVS’ Symphony Medical Alert devices.
Step One – Purchase the bundle
Step Two – Activate the bundle and subscribe (yes, there’s a monthly fee of $39.99)
Step Three – Plug in the smart hub and any additional sensors and devices
You can read more about CVS’ medical alert Symphony here.
How Does Symphony Compare To Other Medical Alert Devices?
It seems that more and more companies are getting into the business of medical alert devices – and why not? With 10,000 to 12,000 people a day turning 65 in the USA, it simply makes perfect business sense.
But, not all medical alert devices are created equally so how does CVS’ Symphony product compare with others? Let’s take a look.
| Symphony | Belle Plus | LifeFone | Life Alert | |
| 24/7 Emergency response/monitoring | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fall detection | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Water resistant | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Works with cellular service | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Landline capable | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| GPS enabled | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Personal contact list | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Pendant option | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Belt clip option | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Wristband option | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| No long term contract | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Lifetime Warranty | ✓ | |||
| Activation Fee | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Monthly Fee | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Service Providers | AT&T | AT&T | AT&T | Verizon |
There are other Medical alert systems that use Verizon such as…
- Family 1st
- Prime
- Care Smart Watch
- You can read more about each of these here.
There are many variations within each of these medical alert devices such as the fall detection service is optional so I would recommend that when you’re shopping for a medical alert device to contact each company and get the details on their services.
Here’s a warning about the older devices that run on 2G or 3G networks: Those are shutting down by the end of 2022. 2G and 3G networks will no longer function for anything after 2022. If your aging loved one has such a device, now is the time to upgrade or replace it. Manufacturers likely make this easy by offering newer versions, but don’t count on your aging parent to follow up on any letters sent to them about this.
forbes.com
Whichever device you choose, know that using these can help you to live a more independent life safely at home.
