Market Challenges And Opportunities

Restraints

Developed economies such as the U.S., Canada, U.K., Germany, and Japan are characterized by high adoption rate of emergency alert systems from the large geriatric population. Moreover, due to high incidence rates of injuries due to fall from beds and upper bunks, the market for medical alert systems is expected to grow further in developed regions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in three senior citizens aged 65 and above, fall down from bed and upper bunks each year, in the U.S., and 20% to 30% of them suffer from serious injuries due to the fall. However, with certain issues in the current medical alert systems, there is an immense scope for technological development in the device. For instance, Lifestation, Inc. is facing a lawsuit filed by a customer claiming to receive unsolicited calls on his cellphone from the Lifestation MSA device. Moreover, limited reimbursement for this device is hindering demand in the U.S. and Canada.

Market Drivers

The medical alert systems market is projected to witness admirable growth due to increasing preference for emergency alert consoles, rapidly aging population, and increasing demand for medical alert systems in nursing homes and old age care facilities. However, product availability and pricing would be decisive factors shaping market growth.

Opportunities

There are new devices being launched with additional features. Philips launched a new MAS device, GoSafe which has an auto-alert fall-detection and GPS tracking. Even wearables by Fitbit come with medical alert systems, in addition to their usual health tracking features. Stealth Technologies, Inc. also launched a device—911 Help Now—with no recurring monthly charge. These devices are a major threat for standalone MAS devices.