Positives
- Fall detection
- Mobile pendant with U-TDOA technology
- Cellular system
- Well-trained operators
Negatives
- 3 months of initial commitment
- No fire and CO detection
“Safety and independence at your fingertips” is LifeCall’s main motto. True to their principle, this medical alert company has provided secure monitoring service for almost 40 years. LifeCall puts a great emphasis on its response center, which is UL certified. To ensure the best available threat assessment during an emergency situation, responders are trained in trauma management and human anatomy. The company offers four kinds of base units, the most prominent being their Mobile system with U-TDOA location technology, which is far more advanced than regular GPS. LifeCall also offers fall detection which constantly monitors movement, and has an accurate prediction of 95%. The company has a flexible pricing strategy that allows subscribers to choose the length of their preferred package. With LifeCall, you can get a competent medical alert system from a monthly $27.45.
Best Medical Alert Systems of 2024
Rank | Company | Info | Visit |
1 |
Editor's Choice 2024 |
|
|
2 |
|
||
3 |
|
Monitoring Services
Being certified by the Underwriters Laboratories is the proof of LifeCall’s professionalism when it comes to eldercare and health monitoring. Their seasoned staff with operators are all EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) qualified, which has a major impact on their service quality. The dispatchers completed a 100-hour training in areas such as trauma management, anatomy, situation appraisal, and cardiac emergencies. LifeCall’s responders are ready every minute of the day, even on holidays. Even the language barrier could not balk the fast response, as the center is capable of communicating in more than 150 languages, including Spanish, French, Vietnamese, Polish and Chinese.
Advanced technology and responsiveness are the two key factors when it comes to emergency handling. When facing any kind of problem, whether it is health related or not, all you have to do is press the help button on your waterproof wristband or pendant. This can be also done on the base unit itself, as it sports an emergency button too. The process will invoke a signal to the response center, and one of the operators will immediately establish contact with you. After carefully assessing the situation by asking about your problem or symptoms, they get in touch with your local emergency services, dispatching appropriate help to your location. If you request so, your relatives or caregivers will be notified too.
Fall Detection
LifeCall’s Advanced home unit sports LifeCall’s latest FallAlert technology that detects falls with a solid 95% accuracy, which is among the highest accuracy rates for fall detection in the industry. This unit comes with a medical alert pendant that evaluates motion, movement and speed. When it registers a sudden change indicating a fall, and the carrier doesn’t restore balance in 10 seconds, it automatically signals for assistance. This guarantees that you won’t be left alone even if you are unconscious. It must be noted that the system may not always register your movements accurately, and you should always push the help button manually if you are able to do so.
Monitoring Equipment
LifeCall understands the need for a versatile family of medical alert systems, so they offer four different units. All traditional landline-based systems consist of a base monitoring unit and a personal medical alert button, granting you double-way access to the emergency response center. The Standard version is very simple to use and recommended for elders who prefer to stay at home or regularly do chores around their lot. The help button can reach the base unit within a 600 feet range. There is a two-way voice function that enables you to both speak and listen to the respond operators and explain your situation. Device monitoring is a strong point of LifeCall units, as the respond center will be informed when the batteries are running low or a power failure occurs. If needed, the backup battery can provide extra energy for the base unit up to five days. The Advanced version’s major improvement is the fall detection pendant using the company’s trademarked LifeAlert technology, which is capable of detecting when the seniors suddenly fall. If they don’t get up after 10 seconds, it automatically signals for help.
The Cellular system has access to advanced 3G technology, meaning that even if your traditional landline falls, your emergency calls will reach the monitoring center. It is a good choice for elderly whose home lacks a tradition landline. Other than their respective extra features, the Advanced and Cellular systems have the same characteristics as the Standard version. Las but not least, the Mobile version satisfies the need for elders who live an active life. There is no base unit, just a light weighted button with a microphone and speaker feature. You can take it with you on your trips thanks to its wireless nature. It incorporates a step-up to GPS in the evolution of location tracking and pinging: the high-accuracy U-TDOA location technology.
Setup
Directly ordering from the company’s website is not possible, as LifeCall’s security protocol doesn’t allow the online registration of your medical data or account information for your own good. Instead, you can call them over the phone or send a request, whereupon a LifeCall consultant will contact you and help finalizing the deal. If your medical alert plan includes free shipping, it will be done via priority mail. After the system arrived you can easily set it up yourself thanks to the company’s own “Easy as 1-2-3” guide, which is included in your order.
Pricing
LifeCall has a very beneficial pricing strategy with many options you can choose from, not to mention the flexible payment methods and subscriber friendly approach. The company offers several pricing plans you can choose from. There are monthly, quarterly and annual billing options. Although LifeCall doesn’t work with long-term contacts, you should note that a one-time 3 month initial commitment is required. After that, you can freely change between any medical alert system plans you want. It is also worth mentioning that while the shorter payment plans provide a flexible way to manage your system, opting for a longer period means a bigger discount on the price for a full year.
With LifeCall, there is no extra equipment to buy, and only the monthly monitoring fee must be paid. The most economical pricing option for the Standard medical alert unit is $27.45 for a month. Both of the Advanced and Cellular units start from a monthly $36.62, while the Mobile medical alert system plan is $32.04 per month. Having the FallAlert technology for your Cellular system or an extra speaker for the FallAlert system does come with an additional charge of $8 and $10 per month respectively, which LifeCall is very transparent about in the pricing scheme laid out on their site.
You can expect a free LifeCall “Safe at Home” kit, which is a magnetic refrigerator packet, showcasing a printed version of your medical history and emergency contact information. There are no hidden costs or fees, but only quarterly and annual payment plans include free shipping. You can cancel at anytime, but you should be aware that your account will only be cancelled after the equipment is successfully sent back in working conditions, all parts included. The expenses of returning the system must be paid by you. The cancellation is completely free, and every prepaid or unused months fill be refunded. For those who are new to the medical alert world and wish to try out the service without any obligation, LifeCall offers a 15 day risk-free trial period.
Customer Service
LifeCall was rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau, and earned the Five Diamond Certification from CSAA. LifeCall has a clear, transparent website where you can find basic information about their service and helpful guides, as well as different means of getting in touch with the company. You can shoot them an email, call them over the phone, or fill out an online request form. The company has a blog section too, but in spite of the interesting topics about choosing the right medical alert systems, it has been inactive for quite some time. The situation is the same on their social media sites: their Facebook, Twitter and other pages lack recent contents.
Bottom Line
Diversity is the selling point for LifeCall, as the company offers a wide variety of base units, ranging from traditional to cellular versions, not to mention the Mobile system. The fall detection, provided for the advanced unit, is also a strong point for LifeCall, as falls are a common threat for elderly. Lastly, the monitoring service has very high standards, and received UL certification for its professionalism. Unfortunately, the service lacks many popular features that other companies offer, such as fire or CO detection, the vial of life, medication dispenser or any kind of extra accessory.
Best Alternative Medical Alert Systems
Rank | Company | Info | Visit |
1 |
Editor's Choice 2024 |
|
|
2 |
|
||
3 |
|
Mike Mason says
Ordered this system on October 5, 2012. Good price, good service. However, mother-in-law passed away on November 23, 2017. I first contacted the company on October 12, 2017, to disconnect and return equipment. Had to call again on October 12, 2017 to try and get a waybill to return equipment. Called again on October 31, 2017, again promised to send out waybill to return equipment. Called on December 01, 2017, after being hung up on 4 times, I pressed as a distributer and took a huge strip out of the rep. She again stated that this was her department and would make it happen ( send waybill ). December 11, 2017, asked for someone who was in charge. I was told to leave the information with them, so they could e-mail said person. Never heard from them…. Go with another company, price does mean everything.
Candace F. says
I called LifeCall 3 weeks ago and told them I needed the service in place before the 27th of September when I would be away and thereby leaving my dad home alone. I was told if I ordered before the 15th, it was guaranteed to be there on time. It was ordered the 14th. Today is the 21st – I called to see where it is and was told that the units were back ordered, and would not be sent out until the 27th. No apology for taking payment for a product that they failed to provide. Just an offer to refund the money. So I guess as far as making sure my dad is ok – they don’t really care. Gino just said “I understand your need to vent”. If this is how the company operates, and provides customer service – or lack thereof – steer clear. I immediately got on the phone and called LifeLine – not only can they get it installed in time, but they will personally have someone come out and set it up to make sure it is working. Tomorrow!!!