The problem with a cell phone is that many times, when a fall happens, the individual can't speak, or articulate their problem. This may lead to emergency services identifying it as a fake call, or an accidental call. Medical Alert Systems allow you to press a button and get help. Another problem with carrying a cell phone is, during a fall a cell phone can easily fall out of a pocket, or break in the fall. The medical alert button is strung around the neck, so its harder to fall out of reach and its durable, making it harder to break in a fall.