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Life Alert Review8 minute read
8 minute read
Updated for February, 2019
Life Alert was one of the earliest companies to offer medical alert systems to a nationwide market, and the company still (proudly) associates itself with the famous “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” TV commercials that made medical alert systems a widely understood concept. Since the launch of their systems, Life Alert has been surpassed by its competitors in terms of the variety of products they offer, but the company still stands out for its customer service, particularly by providing professional installation and by running one of the most effective and experienced call centers in the industry. For that reason, we’ve recognized Life Alert for the Best Medical Call Center for 2018.
Pros
- Experienced, highly trained call center personnel
- Technician Installed
- Free warranty
- No equipment fee
Cons
- Charges setup fee
- Doesn’t offer additional accessories
- Certain medical conditions may be disqualifying
At a Glance
A checklist of standard features.
Package | At Home | Away from Home |
---|---|---|
Monthly charge* | $69.99 | $89.85 |
Connection | Landline or Cellular | Cellular |
Fall detection available | No | No |
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LifeAlert Review
As we’ve mentioned, Life Alert is one of the oldest suppliers of medical alert systems in the country, and like most medical alert companies, their products break down into two categories: first, a less expensive home-based system that connects the user to a call center via a signaling device (in Life Alert’s case, a pendant or a wristband) and a base station or console that then makes the call to the center. The second system is a cellular pendant that eliminates the need for a console and allows the user to speak directly with the call center via a cell-phone sized microphone and speaker. Behind these communication systems there’s a call center staffed by trained personnel who will either get in touch with personal contacts such as friends, neighbors, or family members, or, depending on the situation, contact local emergency responders. Life Alert’s offerings are simple and straightforward, and if the company doesn’t offer a lot of bells and whistles with their systems, they do keep it simple. And while this may be the hallmark of an older company, the upside is a highly experienced call center with a track record of responding effectively in emergencies.
Table of Contents
Every package comes with free access to standard-level MobileHelp Connect apps, but it should be noted that some of the nicest features of MobileHelp Connect, such as medication reminders and location services require additional charges on a monthly basis.
Equipment
Product Features | At Home | Away from Home |
---|---|---|
Monthly Fee | $69.99 | $89.85 |
Waterproof | ||
Range | 800 ft | Unlimited |
Free Warranty | ||
Fall Detection Available | ||
Landline Option |
Signaling devices
Life Alert’s home model offers two different types of signaling devices: a wristband model and one worn around the neck as a pendant. Both versions are easily used, even by those who might have difficulty manipulating small objects; they really are nothing but a single large button mounted in a plastic case. These devices are fully waterproof, and contain a battery that can last as long as seven years. The mobile version only comes in pendant form, but follows the same design as the home-based version, with the addition of a miniaturized speaker and microphone that allows you to communicate directly through the device. While this is all standard for medical alert systems, there is one drawback to Life Alert’s devices: neither the home-based system nor the mobile system offers fall detection—not even for an additional fee—so the user will have to be conscious in order to summon help.
Base Station
Once you’ve pressed the button on the signaling device in a home-based system, it sends a wireless signal to your in-home base station. (Life Alert claims that its pendants and wristbands have an 800 foot range for sending this signal, though some independent reviewers suggest that the range may be smaller.) Once this signal is sent, the call center will attempt to make contact with the user using a speakerphone in the base station. If the user needs help, or can’t be reached through this method, the company will contact either a list of personal caregivers provided by the user or local emergency responders. One good thing about Life Alert: they offer professional installation through a network of technicians, so installing the system is one less thing that a senior or their caregiver will have to fret over.
Extras
Life Alert doesn’t provide quite the same number of features and packages that some of its competitors do: again, it doesn’t offer fall detection services, and it doesn’t offer motion tracking or family monitoring functions. At the same time, there are a few extras available through the company: they offer a cell phone app and a companion call center service that makes contacting one of their call centers via the user’s own mobile device extremely easy. Life Alert also offers “help buttons,” which are larger and more eye-catching wall-mounted versions of its signalling devices. These are meant to be put up in places like the bathroom and bedroom where a user is less likely to be able to access their wearable device. Finally, Life Alert also offers a home intrusion service that allows the user to silently summon help and allows call center personnel to monitor the situation in the home through concealed microphones.
Call Center and Services
As we’ve mentioned, Life Alert stands out for its call centers; the company runs multiple call centers on its own (as opposed to contracting this service out to a third party). These call centers have been in operation for over 30 years now, and Life Alert has worked to maintain a staff-to-customer ratio that doubles that of its biggest competitors, ensuring quick, personalized service. Because of Life Alert’s large (150,000, according to the company) customer base, these call centers respond to more than two million calls every year, and the company claims that its operators averted 45,000 bad outcomes in 2017 alone. No other call centers can make all these claims, so Life Alert stands out in this respect.
Costs
Pricing | At Home | Away from Home |
---|---|---|
Monthly Fee | $69.99 | $89.85 |
One-time Annual Payment | $769.89 | $898.50 |
One-time Fee | $96.00 | $198.00 |
What Customers Say
Life Alert provides a fair amount of information via their website, but in terms of transparency for their customers they fall a little short: it isn’t entirely clear what prices they charge or how their packages come together.
In online reviews, on the other hand, they seem to have built up a significant track record of customer satisfaction, with most reviewers seeming highly satisfied with the quality of the service and the ability to get help when they need it. Customers aren’t always happy about the 3-year contract or the absence of fall detection, but overall they express satisfaction and even gratitude at how easy it is to use the technology and the professionalism and quick response of Life Alert call center staff.
Bottom Line
Life Alert doesn’t offer the most complicated or the most advanced features, but they are one of the most experienced medical alert companies in the industry, and their offerings, which include a basic pendant-and-base-station setup, a mobile device, and a phone app that allows users to turn their cellular device into medical alert system, have won substantial praise from customers, and may be adequate for you, depending on your situation. Behind all these devices, however, Life Alert maintains and staffs multiple highly regarded CSAA five-diamond certified call centers which offer a low client-to-staff ratio and boast an impressive track record of helping customers in need. This human touch puts Life Alert on our radar, and has earned them our recognition as Best Medical Alert Call Center for 2018.

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