The bathroom is the most dangerous room in the house for seniors. According to the CDC, over 235,000 people visit the emergency room each year from bathroom-related injuries – and for adults 65 and older, the rate is more than double any other age group. A medical alert pendant left on the bathroom counter while you shower is a pendant that can’t help you when you need it most.

Waterproofing isn’t a luxury feature. It’s the difference between being protected during your highest-risk daily activity and being completely exposed. This guide covers which medical alert systems are truly waterproof, what the ratings mean, and which ones you can trust in the shower, bath, or pool.

Why Waterproofing Matters

Consider this scenario: your 78-year-old mother takes a shower every morning. She takes off her medical alert pendant because she’s not sure if it’s waterproof. Halfway through, she slips on the wet tile and falls. She can’t reach the pendant on the counter. She can’t reach her phone. She lies on the bathroom floor for three hours before a neighbor checks on her.

This isn’t hypothetical. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among seniors, and the bathroom – with its hard surfaces, water, and confined space – is the single highest-risk location in the home. A study published in the Journal of Injury and Violence Research found that over 80% of senior falls at home occur in the bathroom.

A waterproof medical alert pendant solves this: you wear it in the shower, in the bath, while washing your hands, in the rain, while gardening with the hose running. It doesn’t come off for water exposure. It’s on you 24/7 – including during the moments you’re most likely to need it.

IP Ratings Explained

Medical alert pendants use the IP (Ingress Protection) rating system to indicate water and dust resistance. Here’s what each rating means in practice:

Rating	What It Means	Can I Shower With It?	Can I Swim With It?
IPX4	Splash-resistant from any direction	No – splashes only	No
IPX5	Protected against water jets	Risky – not rated for sustained water	No
IPX6	Protected against powerful water jets	Maybe – but not submersion	No
IP67	Submersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes	Yes – safe for showering	Brief accidental submersion only
IP68	Submersion beyond 1 meter (depth specified by manufacturer)	Yes	Yes – check manufacturer depth limit

Most medical alert help buttons and pendants are rated IP67. This means they can survive being dropped in a bathtub or puddle and will function perfectly in the shower. The “1 meter for 30 minutes” rating is a laboratory test condition – in real-world use, an IP67 pendant will handle years of daily showers without issue.

The base station (the speaker unit that stays plugged in at home) is typically NOT waterproof. Only the pendant/wristband you wear is waterproof. The base station should be kept away from water sources – don’t place it on the bathroom counter where it can get splashed.

Brand-by-Brand Waterproof Comparison

LifeStation – IP67 Waterproof Pendant

Rating: IP67 on both the at-home pendant and the Mobile LTE pendant
Shower-safe: Yes – can be worn in the shower and bath
Swimming: Not recommended for intentional swimming, though accidental submersion is survivable
Notes: LifeStation’s pendants are fully sealed and have been tested for continuous daily shower exposure. The Mobile LTE pendant is also IP67, so you’re protected in the shower at home AND in the rain while out. Both the standard help button and the fall detection pendant share the same IP67 rating. The lanyard and wristband are made from water-resistant materials that dry quickly.

Medical Guardian – IP67 Across All Devices

Rating: IP67 on help buttons, pendants, and wrist buttons
Shower-safe: Yes – all wearable devices are shower-safe
Swimming: The MGMove smartwatch is IPX7 (same protection), but the band may degrade with repeated chlorine exposure
Notes: Medical Guardian’s IP67 rating covers their entire wearable lineup: Classic pendant, Home 2.0 wrist button, Active 4.0 pendant, MGMini, and MGMove smartwatch. The MGMove smartwatch is the only device where water exposure requires a small note of caution: while the watch itself is IPX7-rated, the charging contacts on the back should be dried before placing on the charger. This is true for all rechargeable mobile devices, not just Medical Guardian’s.

Bay Alarm Medical – IP67 Pendant, Splash-Resistant Mobile

Rating: IP67 on at-home pendants; IPX5 on the On-the-Go mobile device
Shower-safe: At-home pendant: yes. On-the-Go device: splash-resistant only – do not shower with it
Swimming: Not recommended
Notes: Bay Alarm has a notable split: their at-home pendants are fully IP67 waterproof and shower-safe, but their On-the-Go mobile device is only IPX5 (splash-resistant). This is an important limitation for active seniors who use the On-the-Go system – you’ll need to remove it for showering and remember to put it back on. If shower protection with a mobile system matters to you, LifeStation’s Mobile LTE or Medical Guardian’s mobile devices are better choices.

MobileHelp – IP67 Pendants

Rating: IP67 on at-home pendants; IPX7 on the Solo mobile device
Shower-safe: Yes for both at-home and mobile
Swimming: Not recommended
Notes: MobileHelp’s pendants and the Solo mobile device are both shower-safe with IP67/IPX7 ratings. The Mobile Duo system – which includes both an at-home base station and a mobile device – provides waterproof protection in both contexts. One practical note: the Solo’s speaker and microphone ports can temporarily muffle audio if water gets in them. They’ll dry out within a few minutes, but immediately after a shower, the operator may have slightly more difficulty hearing you clearly.

Lifeline – IP67 with Clinical Validation

Rating: IP67 on the standard help button; IPX7 on the GoSafe 2 mobile pendant
Shower-safe: Yes – both devices designed for daily shower use
Swimming: Not recommended
Notes: Lifeline has the longest track record of any medical alert company – over 45 years – and their waterproofing has been validated across millions of users. The GoSafe 2 mobile pendant is IPX7-rated and includes AutoAlert fall detection that functions while wet. Lifeline’s help buttons ship with a quick-dry lanyard that’s more comfortable against wet skin than the standard nylon lanyards used by most competitors.

Aloe Care Health – IP67 Pendant, Non-Waterproof Hub

Rating: IP67 on the wearable help button
Shower-safe: Yes – pendant can be worn in the shower
Swimming: Not recommended
Notes: Aloe Care’s wearable pendant is IP67 and fully shower-safe. The Smart Hub base station, however, should be kept well away from water – it contains motion sensors, a speaker, and environmental monitors that are not waterproof. The mobile Companion pendant is also IP67, providing consistent waterproof protection whether you’re at home or out. The voice-activated features of the Smart Hub work through the bathroom door, so the hub can still hear you call for help while you’re in the shower, even though it’s in another room.

Lively – IP67 on Mobile2 Pendant

Rating: IP67 on the Mobile2 pendant
Shower-safe: Yes
Swimming: Not recommended
Notes: Lively’s Mobile2 pendant is IP67-rated and shower-safe. The Jitterbug smartphone – which serves as the companion device for the Lively ecosystem – is NOT waterproof and should not be taken into the shower. The Mobile2 pendant is the device you wear in water; the phone stays dry on the counter.

What “Waterproof” Actually Means for Daily Use

Every major medical alert brand markets their help buttons as “waterproof,” but there are important practical distinctions:

Showering: Safe with All IP67+ Devices

Daily showering is the primary waterproof use case, and every IP67-rated pendant handles it without issue. The pendant gets wet, you get wet, and the button still works. Warm water, soap, and shampoo don’t affect the waterproof seal. The lanyard will get wet and should be allowed to dry between showers – most brands use quick-dry materials, but it’s worth having a spare lanyard if you shower multiple times a day.

Bathing: Safe, But Avoid Prolonged Hot Water Soaking

Submersion in a bathtub is within the IP67 specification (1 meter for 30 minutes). However, very hot water (above 104°F/40°C) can, over months and years, gradually affect the adhesive seals that keep the pendant waterproof. This is a long-term degradation concern, not an immediate failure risk. If you take very hot baths daily, rotate between two pendants or simply be aware that the waterproofing may have a shorter effective lifespan.

Swimming: Not Recommended by Any Brand

Despite IP67/IP68 ratings, no major medical alert brand explicitly markets their devices for swimming. The combination of chlorine, salt water, repeated submersion, and the physical force of swimming strokes exceeds what IP67 was designed for. If you swim regularly, consider a separate waterproof emergency option (like a poolside phone or a companion who stays nearby) rather than relying on your medical alert pendant in the pool.

Charging After Water Exposure

For rechargeable mobile devices (not the long-life pendants on at-home systems): always dry the device and especially the charging contacts before placing it on the charger. Water in the charging port can cause corrosion over time. A quick wipe with a dry towel is sufficient – no need for rice, hair dryers, or special treatment.

Our Top Picks for Waterproof Protection

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I really wear my medical alert pendant in the shower every day?

Yes. Every major brand’s help button is designed to be worn in the shower daily. The IP67 rating means it’s tested to survive submersion in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes – far more than a typical shower exposes it to. The shower is actually where you should most consistently wear it, since the bathroom is the highest-risk room in the house for falls.

Does steam from a hot shower damage the pendant?

No. Steam doesn’t penetrate the waterproof seals on IP67-rated devices. The waterproofing is a physical barrier – a rubber gasket or sealed casing – that prevents water in any form (liquid or vapor) from reaching the internal electronics. A hot, steamy shower is no more damaging than a cold shower from the pendant’s perspective.

What about the lanyard – does it get gross from daily showering?

It can. Nylon lanyards absorb water and can develop mildew if they’re not allowed to dry between uses. Most brands use quick-dry or antimicrobial materials, but it’s good practice to: (1) hang the pendant somewhere with airflow after showering, (2) wash the lanyard with mild soap weekly, and (3) keep a spare lanyard on hand. Lanyards are inexpensive ($5–$15) and easy to replace. Some brands, including LifeStation and Medical Guardian, will send you a free replacement lanyard if you call customer service.

Is the base station waterproof?

No. The base station – the speaker unit that plugs into the wall – is electronic equipment that should be kept dry. Don’t place it in the bathroom where it could get splashed, and never submerge it. Only the wearable pendant or wristband is waterproof. If you want your base station nearby while showering, place it just outside the bathroom door – the pendant’s range (600–1,400 feet) is more than sufficient to reach a base station in the hallway or bedroom.

Will soap or shampoo damage the pendant?

No. Household soaps, shampoos, and conditioners don’t affect the waterproof seals on medical alert pendants. The materials used (typically polycarbonate plastic with silicone seals) are chemically resistant to common bathroom products. Rinse the pendant with clean water occasionally to prevent soap residue buildup, which is cosmetic, not functional.

Can fall detection work when the pendant is wet?

Yes. Fall detection uses accelerometers and gyroscopes inside the sealed pendant – they measure motion, not conductivity. Being wet doesn’t affect the sensors. However, if you’re in the shower and slip, the fall may be a slower slide down the shower wall rather than a sudden drop to the floor, which fall detection algorithms are less effective at catching. Fall detection works best for hard, sudden falls – and these can certainly happen in the shower, especially when stepping over a tub edge. Just be aware that slow, sliding falls against a wall may not trigger automatic detection regardless of whether the pendant is wet or dry.

What’s the difference between waterproof and water-resistant?

In the medical alert industry, “waterproof” generally means IP67 or higher – the device can be submerged and will continue working. “Water-resistant” or “splash-resistant” means IPX4–IPX6 – the device can handle splashes and rain but should not be submerged or exposed to sustained water. This distinction matters most for Bay Alarm’s On-the-Go mobile device (water-resistant only) and any budget devices you might encounter from smaller brands. When a brand says “water-resistant” instead of “waterproof,” do not shower with that device.