Best Security Systems for Seniors in 2024, Tested for Senior-friendly Features
With professional installation and no up-front costs, ADT is the best security system for seniors.
- 24/7 professional monitoring means seniors are always protected
- AARP discount up to 20 percent
- Intuitive control panel makes security simple and easy
- DIY equipment keeps security simple and easy
- Alexa and Google Home integration mean seniors can get help using just their voices
- Environmental sensors protect from home hazards as well as break-ins
- With automated routines, you can set up lights, locks, and household appliances for greater convenience
- Vivint app lets family members check on their loved one 24/7
- Video doorbell lets seniors know exactly who is on their front porches
Are you thinking about getting a home security system for you or a loved one? We’ve installed the best security systems and tested the senior-friendly features, costs, and overall protection they offer. We found ADT to be feature-rich with the best around-the-clock monitoring (and it’s free to sign up!). But SimpliSafe and Vivint are also great security systems for seniors.
In this guide, we’ll help you pick the best security system for aging adults — one that perfectly fits your situation, budget, and lifestyle. So let’s jump right into it!
Stay Safe on a Fixed Income: Most seniors live on a fixed income and are looking to cut costs. If that’s you, we recommend either ADT or SimpliSafe. ADT has low startup costs, while SimpliSafe has affordable monthly monitoring.
Best Home Security Systems for Seniors
- ADT - Best Professionally Installed
- SimpliSafe - Best Professional Monitoring
- Vivint - Best Senior Home Security With Home Automation
What Makes a Great Home Security System for Seniors?
We didn’t just throw darts at a list of security systems to create this list. We lived with each security system for at least a month to get a good feel for the user experience.
On top of things like features and equipment costs, we also considered senior-specific factors like:
- Easy-to-use apps that put seniors in control of their system
- Professional installation or easy DIY installation
- Professional monitoring options
- Knowledgeable, friendly customer-service agents
- Systems with senior discounts
We feel confident that you’ll find the right option for you or your loved one on this list.
How They Stack Up
System |
ADT
|
SimpliSafe
|
Vivint
|
---|---|---|---|
Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
Ratings | 9.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 |
Package cost | $420 and up | $250 and up | $600 and up |
Contract length | 36 months | Month to month | Single month with up-front equipment purchase |
Professional monitoring prices | $24.99 a month and up | $19.99 a month and up | $39 a month and up |
Free plan | No | Yes | No |
Installation type | Professional | DIY or professional | Professional |
Read Review | ADT Review | SimpliSafe Review | Vivint Review |
Detailed List of the Best Home Security Systems for Seniors
-
1. ADT - Best Professionally Installed
Product Specs
Equipment Costs Packages starting at $599 Monitoring Options Professional Monthly Monitoring Costs Starting at $25 per month Contract Lengths 36 months and up Installation Options Professional Smart Platform Integration Alexa and Google Home What We Like
- Offers senior discounts for AARP members
- Emergency button you can wear as a necklace or bracelet
- 150 years of experience in the home security business
- Full-service option from installation to monitoring
What We Don’t Like
- Requires a 36-month contract
- Relatively high equipment cost
- Must pay for professional installation
- Touch screen keypad is not very user-friendly
What You Need to Know About ADT
ADT takes care of its customers the best way it knows how – by providing expertly installed security systems monitored by their award-winning 24/7 monitoring service. This company offers round-the-clock home security, which is exactly what seniors living independently need.
A typical security system from ADT includes a touch screen control panel and sensors to monitor for intrusion. Safety sensors like smoke alarms and gas leak detectors are available as add-ons. All of those are monitored by ADT, so if anything goes awry, the emergency contacts will get a call. Police, fire, and/or medical responders will also be dispatched if necessary.
ADT offers security cameras, too. Besides storing video evidence, ADT security cameras can stream live footage to a smartphone, so family members and caretakers can use them to check in on their loved ones.
Caretakers Corner: If you’re planning to use security cameras to monitor a senior in your care, make sure to ask for their permission. Not only is it illegal to watch someone in their home without consent, it could also pose privacy risks and cause discomfort.
What Makes ADT Different?
ADT stands out as a full-service option for home security. It is unlike the Cove security system we recently tested that offers the equipment but leaves the installation to the user and the professional monitoring to a third-party partner. Cove is great, but ADT’s full-service approach is just better suited for those who want to age in place safely.
What does ‘full-service’ mean? Well, our experience with ADT started with a consultation and continued on with professional installation and monitoring. Here’s how it went:
- On day one, we called ADT for a quote.
- A security expert visited us personally on the same day to discuss our options and make recommendations based on our home’s layout.
- We finalized our order. The next day, an installation specialist set up the system for us.
- The installer activated the professional monitoring service before leaving.
We didn’t have to do anything labor-intensive throughout the process. ADT took care of everything. The company’s white-glove service is its main advantage.
Of course, ADT’s full-service offering comes with a full-service price to match. (It’s not cheap!) But if it’s within your budget, ADT is a great pick to take care of you or your aging loved one.
Pro Tip: Tip for Seniors”]ADT offers senior discounts to AARP members with up to five-percent off the monthly monitoring fee. That’s one of the numerous ADT deals we found.
Our Hands-On Experience With ADT
At first, ADT gave us the impression of a high-tech security system, with its touch screen control panel and the ADT smartphone app. But living with ADT for a month showed us that it can be a frills-free security system even for persons who might struggle with technology.
Arming and disarming the system is all you really need to do to enjoy ADT’s protection. When armed in Away mode, all sensors actively monitor for potential break-ins. In Home Mode, all sensors except the motion sensors are armed. This will allow you or your loved one to roam freely inside while the rest of the ADT system keeps burglars out. And keep in mind, anytime an armed sensor detects an intruder, it notifies ADT’s monitoring center.
So, how easy was it to arm and disarm ADT? We had several options:
- ADT Key Fob: This was the easiest method for arming and disarming. It has dedicated buttons for arming (shield with a check), disarming (shield with an X), and Home Mode (shield with a person icon). There’s also a button to trigger a panic alarm manually. The Key Fob doesn’t require a passcode to arm or disarm – recommended for seniors who tend to be forgetful.
- ADT Control app: For seniors who are comfortable using a security system app, the ADT Control app is another easy option. Disarming the system using the app requires a maximum of two taps. Arming it requires at least two taps, but more if you want to set an exit or entry delay. The delay allows the user to enter or exit the house without triggering a false alarm, customizable between 45 and 254 seconds.
- ADT Control Panel: The ADT Control Panel, which is a touch screen keypad, might be the hardest to use. It requires a passcode to arm and disarm the system. It’s also the least accessible as the panel needs to be kept inside the house, ideally mounted to a wall. It’s not impossible to use though, especially with some practice.
As for ADT’s actual ability to deter or prevent crime, we loved the siren on the ADT control panel. It was loud enough to fill the living room and be heard in our kitchen, although it wasn’t loud enough to reach the second floor. Additional keypads with a siren can be purchased though.
The monitoring service was really the icing on the cake. With cellular and battery backup, ADT monitored our security system day in and day out, with or without power and internet. Also, every time we spoke with a monitoring agent – about six to eight times throughout our month-long test – they always sounded calm and level-headed.
Pro Tip: For seniors who suffer from hearing loss, see our list of the best security systems for the deaf.
ADT Equipment and Monitoring Costs
Our biggest concern about recommending ADT is the price, especially the price of the equipment. The system we received was high-quality, but it was nearly twice as expensive as SimpliSafe equipment (our #2 pick for seniors). To give you some context, here’s SimpliSafe vs ADT’s pricing on some components:
Security Equipment ADT SimpliSafe Door/window sensor $50 $14.99 Motion sensor $100 $34.99 Wireless indoor camera $199 $139.99 Battery-powered outdoor camera $309 $189.99 Smoke alarm $100 $34.99 Water sensor $100 $19.99 Cheapest equipment package $499 $249.96 Professional equipment installation Starts at $99 (required) Starts at $125 (optional) Thankfully, you do have the option to pay in installments with ADT. The equipment cost will be added to your ADT monthly fee and you can choose to pay in two, three, or five years. SimpliSafe offers financing too, but only for up to two years. ADT’s longer financing plans mean that you can enjoy lower monthly installments. Just note that there will be an early cancellation fee if you try to cancel your security contract early (up to 75% of your remaining balance).
As for monitoring, you’ll pay $24.99 per month for the Essential Plan if your system doesn’t include security cameras. If your system comes with cameras, the monthly monitoring fee for the Essential + Video plan is $34.99. Those prices are fair, especially considering that Frontpoint’s price is a fixed $49.99 per month. Frontpoint was one of the systems we considered, but it fell out of contention because of its expensive monitoring.
Senior Savings Tip: A low monthly fee is a must. Check out our guide to affordable security systems to learn more.
-
2. SimpliSafe - Best Professional Monitoring
Product Specs
Equipment Costs Packages starting at $280 Monitoring Options Professional and DIY Monthly Monitoring Costs $19.99 per month Contract Lengths Month-to-month Installation Options DIY or professional Smart Platform Integration Alexa and Google Home What We Like
- Loud siren is great for those with hearing problems
- Live check-in through cameras by monitoring agents
- Choice of DIY and professional monitoring
- You can save money with DIY installation
What We Don’t Like
- Limited camera selection
- Subscription required to access special features, such as cellular backup
- Requires upfront equipment purchase or financing up to 2 years only
- More expensive professional installation
What You Need to Know About SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe’s flexibility as a security system is one of its biggest selling points. It can work like ADT – professionally installed and professionally monitored – but you can also choose to DIY either the installation, monitoring, or both. We strongly recommend going with professional monitoring, though.
SimpliSafe security systems are well-rounded. They include door sensors and motion sensors for keeping intruders out. They also come with a separate base station that has a built-in siren for scaring away burglars. In our testing, it was slightly louder than ADT’s siren. You can also purchase an even louder siren (105 dB) as an add-on, especially if you or your loved one is hard of hearing.
SimpliSafe has things down pat in home hazard prevention. A dedicated smoke alarm and a combo alarm (smoke and gas leak detector) are available. But there’s one piece of equipment that stands out: The temperature sensor. We recommend caretakers place one in the bedroom to constantly monitor the temperature and get alerts when it gets too hot or too cold for comfort.
Caregivers Corner: Older adults are 2.5 times more at risk of dying in a fire than the general population, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.1 Follow our fire safety tips to ensure the safety of seniors in your care.
What Makes SimpliSafe Different?
There’s one other piece of equipment from SimpliSafe that stands out. It’s an indoor security camera called the Smart Alarm. With a Fast Protect monitoring subscription, monitoring agents will be able to use the camera to check on the homeowner. The main purpose is to use the camera’s two-way talk to and live video feed to see and talk intruders into leaving. However, for homes with seniors, it’s also a great way to check on them during emergencies.
Caretakers and family members can also use the Smart Alarm camera to check on their loved one. And what we like about the camera is that it comes with a privacy shutter. During testing, this privacy shutter remained closed unless we armed the camera’s motion sensor, we accessed its live view, or a system alarm event occurred. We value privacy, so we were glad to see the Smart Alarm’s privacy shutter. That was one of the things we noted missing from the Nest Cam (wired) indoor camera that we got from ADT.
Privacy Tip: Although the Smart Alarm’s privacy shutter does its job of protecting the user’s privacy, we still strongly advise against putting any security camera in the bedroom, bathroom, and other areas where greater privacy is expected. Learn more in our security camera placement guide.
Our Hands-On Experience With SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe is one of the most user-friendly security systems out there, especially for aging users. Instead of a touch screen keypad, there’s a calculator-like keypad with physical buttons. And it was simple to operate.
There’s also a key fob for disarming the system or arming it in home or away mode. It was as easy to operate as the ADT Key Fob, although SimpliSafe’s version can be programmed to send out medical alerts. Note that the one from ADT only triggered the security alarm, so SimpliSafe’s is better for folks prone to medical emergencies.
Frankly though, we spent most of our time testing SimpliSafe with a Fast Protect monitoring subscription. Although it’s one of the best no-monthly-fee security systems, we strongly recommend signing up for professional monitoring to enjoy the same crime-preventing perks we accessed:
- Alarm Texts: Every second counts in an emergency – be that a break-in or a medical situation. SimpliSafe sent us text notifications within 15 seconds of the alarm being triggered. That’s in addition to the alarm phone call we received, but that one typically took 30 to 45 seconds to come through. Alarm Texts are simply faster.
- Video verification: Police typically respond to verified alerts quicker than they do with unverified alerts. With video verification, SimpliSafe’s monitoring center confirmed each triggered alarm using our security camera live feed. If there were a real emergency, we’re confident this would help speed up response from our crime-stoppers in uniform.
- Live Guard Protection: This is the feature we talked about earlier that works with the Smart Alarm indoor camera. It improves on video verification because two-way audio access gives SimpliSafe personnel the ability to potentially stop criminals in their tracks.
- Cloud video recording: In case the burglar pushes through with their crime, SimpliSafe security cameras would ensure you have evidence. The Fast Protect plan includes 30 days of video history for up to 10 cameras.
As for downsides, SimpliSafe’s installation fee could be cheaper. It’s a DIY system, but we encourage users with mobility issues to go with professional installation. Unfortunately, SimpliSafe’s installation partner charges at least $124.99 for the service. That’s more expensive than ADT’s $100 installation fee.
We would also like to see more home automation options from SimpliSafe. As you’ll see from our next pick – Vivint – home automation can greatly improve safety and security even for seniors. As it stands, SimpliSafe only works with Alexa and Google Assistant.
SimpliSafe Equipment and Monitoring Pricing
We absolutely loved SimpliSafe’s straightforward and affordable equipment pricing. But there are also things to consider, like the fact that SimpliSafe’s equipment financing plans are only up to two years. That means you might have to shell out more upfront than you would with ADT. In the long run, though, SimpliSafe is cheaper.
Here are SimpliSafe’s package options, and keep in mind you can customize each with add-on equipment.
SimpliSafe Packages Package Price Description The Foundation $249.96 4-piece sensor kit The Essentials $279.95 6-piece sensor kit The Hearth $399.91 9-piece sensor kit The Lighthouse $469.93 6-piece sensor kit with outdoor camera The Knox $479.87 13-piece sensor kit The Haven $519.86 14-pierce sensor kit The Beacon $709.90 8-piece sensor kit with 2 outdoor cameras Also, stay on the lookout for SimpliSafe deals. While the company doesn’t offer senior discounts at the moment, it often has special discounts for new customers that can cut the equipment price by up to 60-percent. A free indoor camera is also usually included in the offer.
Now, for professional monitoring, SimpliSafe offers the Standard and Fast Protect plans. The features we highlighted above are exclusive to the Fast Protect plan.
- The Standard plan is more barebones – it includes professional monitoring with cellular backup, but nothing else. It costs $19.99 per month.
- The Fast Protect plan includes more premium features like Alarm Texts, video verification, and Live Guard Protection. It also includes cloud storage for up to 10 cameras and an exclusive 10-percent discount for additional equipment. Fast Protect costs $29.99 per month.
FYI: SimpliSafe recently announced that it’s bringing Live Guard Protection (requires a Fast Protect subscription) to its outdoor camera and video doorbell. For seniors who aren’t comfortable being monitored by SimpliSafe cameras indoors, this is a great alternative.
-
3. Vivint - Best Senior Home Security With Home Automation
Product Specs
Equipment costs Starting at $449 Monitoring options Professional Monthly monitoring costs $40 per month Contract lengths Starting at 42 months Installation options Professional Smart platform integration Alexa and Google Home What We Like
- Top-of-the-line equipment
- Extensive range of smart home integrations
- Cellular monitoring on every plan
- Helpful customer-service agents at every step of the purchase and installation process
What We Don’t Like
- Expensive equipment fees
- No DIY installation option
- Moving fee
- Long-term contracts
What You Need to Know About Vivint
Vivint is about as full-service as ADT. It offers professional installation and monitoring. And in our experience, Vivint offers a top-notch level of customer service. There is that four- to five-year monitoring contract to watch out for, which is longer than ADT’s three-year standard contract. But Vivint is a great security system nonetheless.
A Vivint security system relies heavily on sensors and security cameras to offer protection against intruders. The security cameras are especially great at deterring crime. We tested the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro and saw how the Smart Deter feature powered by A.I. used lights and sound to proactively deter trespassers. And before you get put off by the mention of A.I., let us assure you that Vivint’s camera isn’t hard to use. After initial setup, Smart Deter worked on its own without additional input from us. That’s the power of automation.
Tips for Caretakers: Setting up Vivint automations might be too difficult for seniors who aren’t well-versed in home automation technology. We strongly suggest setting aside time to set it up for them, with their input on how they want their system to run.
What Makes Vivint Different?
You might have already guessed it – Vivint’s biggest advantage is its home automation technology. We don’t normally hear the words ‘home automation’ and ‘seniors’ together, but Vivint set up its smart security system in a way that benefits older adult users, even if they’re not particularly good with new technology.
Let us give you a couple of examples from our Vivint hands-on test.
- Automated temperature control: We paired our Nest Thermostat with our Vivint system and made it so that arming and disarming Vivint would adjust our thermostat automatically. Armed Home and Disarmed set the thermostat to 72 degrees because those modes indicate that we are home. Armed Away sets the thermostat to Eco Mode to save energy while we’re away. Automating the temperature can help seniors stay comfortable at home.
- Automated lighting: We also programmed our smart lights to respond to our Vivint sensors. The motion sensor outside our bedroom triggers our hallway lights to turn on when there’s movement – useful both for scaring away burglars and for when we have to get up in the middle of the night. We imagine it would be useful for seniors too.
So you see, automating smart devices can help aging adults live safely and more comfortably. And if you’re looking for a smart home security system to do that, we personally recommend Vivint.
Our Hands-On Experience With Vivint
Automation can also help deter burglars, but let’s talk about our experience with Vivint purely as a security system.
For starters, we noticed really fast response times from Vivint’s professional monitoring. We received text alerts as fast as under 10 seconds after triggering a sensor and then a phone call within 45 seconds. ADT was a little faster, but Vivint’s response time is within the 30- to 60-second industry average.
Here’s how Vivint’s response times compared to ADT and SimpliSafe:
Security System Text Alerts Phone Call Alert ADT 12 to 15 seconds 30 to 45 seconds SimpliSafe 12 to 20 seconds 40 to 60 seconds Vivint 8 to 12 seconds 40 to 60 seconds Those text alerts from Vivint were exceptionally fast. And since we could confirm or ignore alerts through text, Vivint’s alerting process saved us precious time.
Additionally, we liked that Vivint’s Smart Hub – the touch screen control panel that controls the system – has a two-way audio link to the monitoring center. We think that would really be helpful to seniors in emergency situations as they won’t need to pick up the phone. They can speak with Vivint’s monitoring hands-free as long as the Smart Hub is within earshot. It’s pretty loud, too! We could audibly hear it from the kitchen, which is a good 15 feet from the Smart Hub.
FYI: Since the Smart Hub transmits audio only and no video to the monitoring center, it could be a good alternative to SimpliSafe’s Live Guard Protection feature. That’s one thing to consider if you or your senior family member doesn’t like live video monitoring due to privacy concerns. See more in our SimpliSafe vs. Vivint comparison.
Vivint Equipment and Monitoring Pricing
We loved Vivint for all the smart technology it offers, but we’re not big fans of Vivint’s pricing nor its lack of transparency. You won’t find out anything about Vivint’s pricing through its website. The only way to get a quote is to request one by leaving your contact information or by calling Vivint’s phone numbers. That can make comparing security systems more difficult if you’re considering more than one option. Plus, we noticed that Vivint’s sales representatives have a tendency to try to upsell customers.
On the bright side, we think Vivint’s monitoring pricing is fair. It starts at $39 per month, so it’s more expensive than ADT (starts at $24.99) and SimpliSafe’s (starts at $19.99) cheapest offers. But considering the home automation features, that’s a good price. Remember, Frontpoint charges $49.99.
On the equipment end, though, expect to pay Vivint more. The base package starts at $599.99, and add-on equipment can be expensive too. The Outdoor Camera Pro we tested cost us $399, and the indoor camera and video doorbell sell for $249 each. Vivint’s higher equipment pricing is the main reason it’s only third on this list, even though it’s about as good as ADT feature-wise.
Pro Tip: Vivint requires a monitoring contract up to five years, but it can be more lenient to seniors. Vivint’s cancellation policy has a special clause for extenuating circumstances like transitioning to an assisted living home. An Exceptions Review Team will look into the situation and if you qualify, Vivint will release your contract without added fees.
Security Systems vs. Medical Alert Systems
If your goal is to protect an older adult, you’ll want to consider all the options. We’ve given you a list of home security systems, but you may also want to consider medical alert systems. Here’s a quick rundown of the differences.
Medical alert systems: Medical alert systems are geared toward health concerns and needs. They aren’t designed to stop intruders or secure your home’s perimeter. As a result, many of them are simple — no more than a single button. That’s ideal for older adults who need a simple way to summon help.
Home security systems: Home security systems are more inclusive. They’re meant to protect you from a wide range of events, including medical emergencies, home flooding, and home invasion. As a result, they include more components and cost more.
Medical alert systems can’t replace home security systems. They don’t include cameras, entry sensors, or motion detectors. But they are a great solution for seniors who just need health monitoring.
Do Seniors Need Home Security?
This probably won’t come as a surprise, but we recommend everyone install a home security system. It’s a dangerous world out there. And seniors get some special benefits from home security systems.
- Theft reduction: Burglars actually target seniors. Home security systems can stop them in their tracks, but they can also deter them. Would-be home-invaders think twice before trying to break into a protected home.
- Peace of mind: Reducing the chances of a break-in can increase your peace of mind. Security systems protect homes from other kinds of household emergencies, as well, from floods to fires. Plus they let you keep tabs on your loved ones.
- Home automation: Many systems come with home-automation features. They can help make an older adult’s life easier in lots of ways, from turning off all the lights with just their voice to using smart locks to keep track of who comes and goes.
- Communication: Some systems let you contact your loved ones with the touch of a button. With cameras, you can monitor their activities (with their permission, of course).
- More time at home: With home automation and increased protection from everything from break-ins to falls, a home security system can extend the time older adults are able to live on their own.
- Door alarms: If you’re caring for a senior who is having memory issues, a security system’s door alarms can alert you if they go wandering.
Bottom Line
Like anyone else, older adults need protection. So, like anyone else, they’re better off with a home security system. Ultimately, though, seniors’ needs are different. They are more likely to have accidents, for example, and more likely to need help if something goes wrong in their home.
It makes sense that they also need home security systems tailored to their needs — systems that specifically provide medical help, systems that are simple and straightforward to use, systems that work automatically without the need for a lot of adjustments. The best home security systems for seniors include things like easy-to-change batteries, professional or easy installation, easy-to-reach customer-service agents, and simple pricing plans.
It’s not always easy to know which systems offer those features, but you should be something of an expert by now. We won’t say you’re ready to do our jobs quite yet, but you certainly should be qualified to choose among the best home security systems for seniors.
FAQs
Still have questions about security systems for seniors? Check out our answers to the frequently asked questions.
-
How can I monitor an older adult at their home?
You can monitor an older adult at their home using security systems that feature remote smartphone access. By installing the system’s companion app on your phone, you can monitor the security system in your loved one’s home and be the first to know when there are emergencies. You can even use the app to arm or disarm their security system remotely. You can also use security cameras that stream to smartphones, but be sure to check with your loved one before installing one in their home. They might see the cameras as privacy intrusions.
-
Can seniors get discounts on security systems?
Seniors can get discounts on security systems if the alarm company offers senior discounts. However, not all alarm companies advertise such discounts openly. You may have to call their customer service to find out exactly how much you’ll save.
-
Can seniors connect their medical alerts to security systems?
Seniors can connect their medical alert to their security system if both support the integration. There are security systems that integrate well with medical alert systems. There are even alarm companies that offer both personal emergency response systems (PERS) and security systems. However, if your security system doesn’t connect with medical alert systems, it’s best to ask the alarm company what products they recommend for seniors. A panic button, for instance, can connect your loved one to the alarm company with a press of a button.
-
Do seniors need security systems?
Seniors need security systems just as much as younger adults do, if not more. It’s not unheard of for burglars to target older adults’ homes, so it’s best to ensure your loved one’s safety with a dependable security system. Most security systems also have environmental safety sensors, such as smoke alarms and CO detectors, to protect their owners from environmental hazards.
U.S. Fire Administration. (2023). Fire Safety for Older Adults.
usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/at-risk-audiences/older-adults/