Start with how your parent actually lives. In Toronto's older neighbourhoods like Leslieville, The Beaches, or Cabbagetown, homes often have steep, narrow staircases and finished basements, which are common fall spots. If your mom or dad spends time on more than one level, ask the retailer whether the device works across floors and whether it needs a base unit or runs on cellular. For a downtown or Liberty Village condo, coverage is simpler, but you'll still want to confirm the signal reaches the parking garage, laundry room, and lobby.
Two things separate a device that helps from one that frustrates: detection accuracy and the false-alarm rate. Too many false alerts and your parent stops wearing it. In our experience, watch-style wearables get worn more consistently than pendants because they feel less like a medical device, though a pendant with a wider strap can be easier for arthritic hands. The real deciding factor is the monitoring plan behind the device. A good sensor with a slow or overseas call centre isn't worth much, so ask about Canadian monitoring and average response time.
Here's our recommendation: buy from a retailer that offers ongoing monitoring and local support rather than a one-time gadget from a big-box shelf. Look for senior and accessibility experience, a clear warranty, and quick service if a device fails during a Toronto winter when getting out for a swap is hard. The trade-off is honest: a monitored plan costs more over time than a standalone alarm. But a device nobody answers or nobody wears is the more expensive mistake. If budget is tight, prioritize the monitoring quality first and choose a simpler wearable to match.