Is there such a thing as a Medic Alert type system that is free?

The installation is free and the intercom but the service, for a simple button, can be $50 a month. Call your Office of Aging and seevif they know of a free service. Call the monitoring company and see if they do it or know of a government service. Contact her primary, they may have info.

There is a device that the elder wears around their neck...like life alert....but...it just dials 911 via the home phone.

No service involved...no service charge

There are several pendant systems that you can buy which will call emergency contacts at the press of a button, it is a one time cost for the system. Try searching Amazon for emergency pendants.