Movement Monitors - Chelsea Hutchison Foundation

Finding the Right Monitor for Your Family

If someone in your family has epilepsy—especially nocturnal seizures—a movement monitor can be one of the most important safety tools you have. We know that navigating the options, the costs, and the questions can feel overwhelming on top of everything else you’re already managing.

The Chelsea Hutchison Foundation is here to help you understand what’s available, what to look for, and how to access financial assistance if cost is a barrier. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

What is a Movement Monitor?

A movement monitor is a device that detects the rhythmic movements associated with a tonic-clonic seizure during sleep. When it detects a seizure, it alerts a caregiver so they can respond quickly.

Monitors don’t prevent seizures. But they give families a window to respond—and in situations involving SUDEP risk, that window can be everything.

What to Look For

Not all monitors are the same. Here are the key factors to consider when evaluating options:

Detection Method

Most consumer-grade monitors detect movement. Medical-grade options may also track breathing, heart rate, or oxygen levels. The right type depends on your loved one's specific seizure pattern—talk to your neurologist about which features matter most for your situation.

Alert System

How and where does the device alert you? Some monitors use a base station in the caregiver's room; others send alerts to a smartphone. Make sure the alert system fits your home setup and your sleep situation.

False Alarm Rate

No monitor is perfect, and false alarms are a real concern—both because they disrupt sleep and because they can lead families to stop trusting the device. Look for monitors with documented accuracy data, and read reviews from other epilepsy families, not just general consumers.

Ease of Use

The best monitor is the one that actually gets used every night. Look for something that's simple to set up, comfortable for the person wearing or sleeping on it, and easy to maintain.

Monitor Options to Explore

There are several monitors commonly used by families in the epilepsy community. We can walk you through the landscape during a conversation, but here are some categories to be aware of:

Under-mattress movement sensors—detect movement through the mattress surface; no wearable component required
Audio/video monitors with seizure detection—camera-based systems that use AI or movement algorithms to detect seizure patterns
Wearable seizure detection devices—worn on the wrist or elsewhere; may track movement, heart rate, or both
Medical-grade multi-parameter monitors—typically prescribed and may be covered (partially or fully) by insurance

Emfit

The Emfit Movement Monitor is designed to detect faster, abnormal movements (ie muscle jerking) that may occur during the night, and will sound a high-frequency alert if these movements continue past a preset amount of time.

Sami

Sami™ is a movement monitor for caregivers and parents who need to watch for abnormal movement at night for babies/infants, children, and adults. When abnormal movement is detected, the Sami movement monitoring system will alert the caregiver so they can take action while automatically recording video that can be used to review later.

Inspyre

When the SmartWatch Inspyre™ by Smart Monitor detects repetitive shaking motion, it signals the user’s device (iPhone or Android phone) to send text and phone call alerts to whomever the SmartWatch Inspyre™ user designates, such as multiple family members and care providers, including the GPS physical location of your loved one. The Inspyre is compatible with Samsung Gear and Galaxy watches and all versions of Apple Watch.

EpiMontior

EpiMonitor is an FDA-cleared wearable that pairs a smartwatch with a smartphone app to help detect possible tonic-clonic seizures, day or night. It sends an automatic call and text to caregivers when it senses a possible seizure, and it includes a seizure diary to track patterns over time and share with a doctor. It's one option among several movement monitoring devices we're happy to talk through with your family.

EpiWatch

EpiWatch® brings clinically-tested seizure detection and alerting to the Apple Watch. FDA-cleared, available by prescription, EpiWatch detects and alerts for tonic-clonic seizures, empowering you to live with more freedom. Discreetly monitoring seizures through your Apple Watch, it will alert you and your caregivers when seconds matter.

EpiPal

Epipal runs in the background and monitors sensors in your loved one’s phone and/or watch and attempts to detect convulsions associated with tonic clonic seizures, and different types of falls. When an emergency situation is suspected, an alarm is triggered, and if not disarmed within a preset time, an alert notification is automatically sent to members of your emergency contacts. Epipal uses a combination of motion related sensors as well as API integration with Apple’s Health App to gather heart rate data to monitor for different types of seizures.

NightWatch

Caring for people with epilepsy is demanding and often stressful. Seizures can be frightening. Some may cause serious injury or lead to Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), particularly when seizures occur at night without supervision. NightWatch+ detects the most dangerous seizures during sleep and alerts caregivers. Its clinically proven performance improves nighttime safety and reduces caregiver stress.

Boundary Care

BoundaryCare is a wearable watch designed to help caregivers stay aware of possible seizure activity, day or night. It tracks heart rate, oxygen saturation, and convulsive movement patterns associated with tonic-clonic seizures, and lets caregivers personalize alert settings for their loved one's specific needs. It's one option among several movement monitoring devices we're happy to talk through with your family.

Cost and Insurance

Monitor costs vary from about $400-1200, rarely covered by insurance.

Before purchasing out of pocket, it’s worth asking your neurologist to write a letter of medical necessity. This can open the door to insurance coverage or reimbursement that families often don’t know to pursue.

Tips for Navigating Insurance

Ask your neurologist to document seizure frequency, type, and SUDEP risk factors in your file
Request a letter of medical necessity specifically for a nighttime seizure monitor
Contact your insurance provider and ask whether seizure monitors are covered under durable medical equipment (DME) benefits
If denied, ask about the appeals process—many initial denials are successfully overturned
Check whether your state’s Medicaid program covers seizure monitoring equipment

Financial Assistance

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If cost remains a barrier after exploring insurance options, the Chelsea Hutchison Foundation may be able to help. We work with families on a case-by-case basis to provide financial assistance toward the cost of a monitor.

This isn’t an online application process. It starts with a conversation—because every family’s situation is different, and we want to understand yours before we talk about next steps.

“We know that a monitor shouldn’t be out of reach for any family that needs one. If you’re hitting a wall, contact us. That’s exactly what we’re here for.”

To start the conversation, reach out by email. We’ll listen, ask a few questions, and figure out together whether we can help and what that looks like for your family.