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If the user opts to remove the alarm while showering, Life Alert offers additional bathroom monitoring. A waterproof alarm can be placed within the tub itself or low on a wall within the bathroom. Life Alert has a dedicated 911 service that is not outsourced like with some other medical alert services, and the Life Alert operators responding to alarms are medically trained. During my time using Life Alert, I always received prompt responses from both Life Alert operators and emergency response personnel. You’ll pay $49.95 a month for the base unit and a pendant, with a one-time activation fee of $95.
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Despite being in another room, I never had difficulty hearing the operator and the operator never had difficulty hearing me. Had the operator been unable to hear me respond, emergency personnel would have been sent to my home. Life Alert used to provide smoke and carbon monoxide monitoring however this long time service is not being offered anymore. Mobile Options – Life Alert Mobile is an emergency pendant that can be used outside of the home utilizing mobile technology.
These costs can easily add up, so we recommend going easy on the extras if you’re on a budget. Fortunately, you’ll also have access to some freebies as well if you sign up with this provider. When compared to Medical Guardian and other great brands, we found that Life Alert is sometimes twice as expensive. But again, you’re not just paying for a medical alert system — you’re paying to receive around-the-clock emergency coverage from a pioneer in the medical alert industry. Life Alert’s monthly monitoring fees range from $69.90 to $89.85 or more depending on which options you choose. They also charge a one-time membership fee of $198 — which we rarely see in the industry.
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There were occasions when the medical alarm operator didn’t give the access code to emergency personnel. Entering my apartment became a protracted process of the emergency staff having to find the building manager or maintenance staff for spare keys. Fortunately, I got the help I needed in those instances, but it could have been a tragic outcome for me if time had been more essential. While Life Alert does offer monitoring with GPS outside the home at an additional cost, it does not have a system that monitors automatically for falls. You’ve likely seen the late-night television commercial with the elderly woman lying on the floor and yelling, “Help!
She has hand-tested the industry’s top medical alert systems, writing nearly 50 in-depth articles that help seniors age safely in place. Jenny also covers caregiving, Medicare, assisted living, memory care, and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Previously, she’s written for national publications such as Country Magazine and Sierra Magazine.
Life Alert Company History
This rating is derived from our editorial team's research, hands-on product testing, and customer surveys.
For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional. The HomeSafe Standard is Philips Lifeline’s bracelet medical alert system. Available with either a landline or cellular connection, this no-frills system gives seniors around-the-clock access to the emergency response center. That’s when a medical alert system can save their life by summoning help fast before an injury becomes life threatening. People call it needlessly terrifying and exploitative of the issue of senior falls. An often echoed opinion is against how the Life Alert is using fear of death to scare the elderly into purchasing a medical alert system.
Is I’ve fallen and I can’t get up trademarked?
On the flip side, some have also publicly expressed that the ad has done its job well of letting seniors and their children think about the serious consequences of falling down when they are all alone in their homes. A Youtube video of their ad received 339 likes vs 272 dislikes. A number of people admitted to crying when they saw the TV advertising spot because it was so disturbing for them. The strong reactions have come from a wide cross-section of society, across all age groups 18+, gender and people from different industry backgrounds. Life Alert has been Better Business Bureau Accredited since 1987. They have an A+ rating at the time of this review with 277 complaints, 40 reviews, and less than a 2 star rating.
Commissions we earn from partner links on this page do not affect our opinions or evaluations. Our editorial content is based on thorough research and guidance from the Forbes Health Advisory Board. As the old year blows out his last candle before shuffling away into faded memories - a new, bright year emerges full of optimism and energy to commit to changes. Generally, the top three New Year resolutions consist of having more money, losing weight, and taking better care of one’s self.
I live with a chronic illness and disability, and I have experienced several falls and other emergencies in my home. I have used Life Alert, as well as several other medical alert devices, over the years to stay safe while on my own. This type of device and service is most often marketed to seniors, but I used Life Alert as a young person. Since I’ve spent much of my time at home alone, the device has provided me with a vital service, helping me avoid injuries and nursing home placement. The following review is based on my personal experience with Life Alert and other monitoring services.
It provides on-the-go coverage and GPS location services. You can choose from three different Life Alert systems according to your needs. All of their plans offer 24/7 professional monitoring and don’t require a landline or Wi-Fi connection. We’re going to cover each unit in detail, starting with the at-home systems for seniors who prefer the comfort of home. And then we’ll dig into the combo at-home and mobile plan, which we think is ideal for seniors who enjoy a more active lifestyle and are always on-the-go. One thing to keep in mind is that Life Alert doesn’t offer fall detection, which is a bit disappointing.
We also like that the battery on the on-the-go device has an extended life and doesn’t need charging. We have to say, at $89.85 per month, this plan is quite a bit more expensive than other brands that offer better coverage at more affordable prices. One Call Alert, for example, provides a 1,300-foot range at the low price of $24.95 per month. Senior health and longevity is as simple as a push of button allowing independent seniors to live alone without ever being alone. Once I completed a thorough interview via telephone, the company sent a technician to my home to install and test the device. Due to the company’s pandemic protocols, it may guide the user through product setup virtually now.
We recommend this option for seniors who don’t need the additional device. Without a doubt, Life Alert is one of the most trusted names in the medical alert industry. The company has been serving seniors for the past 30 years. We’ve personally tested their products over the years, and we certainly appreciate their high quality monitoring. Regardless of whether the user chooses the bracelet or lanyard, it is easy to forget to put it on. It’s recommended that the user not remove the panic button to avoid forgetting—it’s waterproof and can even be worn in the shower.
The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise endorsed by our advertisers. I never had an issue with emergency personnel entering my home while I used Life Alert. However, I lived in a rural area at the time and felt safe enough to leave my door unlocked often. LifeAlert is the leading emergency response company in the country, dedicated to solving home safety issues. Find more of our coverage on ads aimed at seniors here.
Founded in 1987, Life Alert ® provides its service to members nationwide. LifeCall released the first version of these infamous television ads in 1989, which featured an elderly woman identified as “Mrs. Until his death, Doctor C. Everett Koop popularized Life Alert in commercials that aired from 1992. Matt McCoy Born May 20, 1958 Austin, Texas, United States Occupation Actor Years active 1979–present Spouse Mary McCoy ( m. 1985) When did the Life Alert commercial come out? After earning a degree in journalism, Jenny Wisniewski spent much of her professional life in education; however, she returned to writing in earnest in the senior care space, acting as caregiver to her mother.
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