Equipment
Communication and alerts
Ways to call for help and ways to keep talking as speech changes. Set these up before they are needed, because that is when they are hardest to learn.
How to use this page
Every item below is listed with what it is for, the price band to expect, and the brands you will actually see. Ask your occupational or physical therapist which of these fits before you buy: much of it is covered as durable medical equipment with a physician order.
About the product links on this page. Where we link to a specific product, we earn a commission if you buy through it. It does not change the price you pay, and it does not influence which equipment we cover.
Communication and alerts: 6 items
Bedbound, ALS
Caregiver call button / pager
Patient signals caregiver from another room
- Typical price band
- $20–$40
- Brands you will see
- Daytech, CallToU, SECRUI
- Typical rating
- ~4.6★
- Commonly used for
- Bedbound, ALS
ALS, Aphasia
AAC / speech-generating device
Communication for speech loss
- Typical price band
- $30–$200
- Brands you will see
- Various (tablet/board)
- Typical rating
- ~4.4★
- Commonly used for
- ALS, Aphasia
Vision, Hearing
Amplified / large-button phone
Easier calls for vision/hearing/dexterity
- Typical price band
- $30–$60
- Brands you will see
- VTech, Panasonic, Future Call
- Typical rating
- ~4.4★
- Commonly used for
- Vision, Hearing
Fall risk, Dementia
Bed / chair exit alarm
Alerts caregiver to fall-risk movement
- Typical price band
- $25–$50
- Brands you will see
- Secure, Smart Caregiver
- Typical rating
- ~4.4★
- Commonly used for
- Fall risk, Dementia
Living alone
Medical alert system
Help button, some with monitoring
- Typical price band
- $30–$150 +svc
- Brands you will see
- Medical Guardian, LifeFone, Life Assure
- Typical rating
- ~4.3★
- Commonly used for
- Living alone
Aphasia, Nonverbal
Communication board / picture cards
Point-to-communicate for nonverbal
- Typical price band
- $10–$25
- Brands you will see
- Various
- Typical rating
- ~4.5★
- Commonly used for
- Aphasia, Nonverbal
Before you buy anything
Check our equipment coverage guide first. Many of these items are covered as durable medical equipment, and a loan closet or a rental is often the better call than buying. Product links on this site earn a commission. It never changes which equipment we cover.