LifeFone Medical Alert System

When to Consider Buying a Medical Alert System With LifeFone

Knowing when to buy a medical alert system can be tricky, but here are a few points to help you decide:

• When you’re more at risk of a fall: In older adults, falls are the leading cause of fatal injuries and nonfatal trauma-related hospital admissions.1 Incorporating a medical alert system into your daily routine can help seniors get assistance in case of a fall. LifeFone offers automatic fall detection starting at just $5 per month, so seniors can stay prepared for a fall without breaking the bank.
• If you still want to enjoy an active lifestyle: Medical alert systems aren’t just for homebodies! In the US, more than 3 million seniors own a medical device,2 and they’re not all staying home. Cellular-based devices, like LifeFone’s On-the-Go GPS unit, are a great way for older adults to take help with them wherever they go.
• If you plan on aging in place: Approximately 53% of seniors over the age 653 have a difficult time adhering to their medication. Fortunately, LifeFone offers medication reminders and daily health check-in calls that can be added to any package at an affordable monthly rate.

About the Company

LifeFone presents a multitude of products and services at a reasonable, affordable value. The company itself has been an innovator in the field since 1976 and has earned substantial praise and recognition. With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau,4 LifeFone’s UL-certified equipment and US-based monitoring service are recommended by the National Council on the Aging, the National Institute of Senior Citizens, and the National Stroke Association.

LifeFone’s Product Lineup

Product	Features	Monthly	Quarterly	Annually
At-Home Landline	-Base station and wristband/pendant -Optional fall detection ($5 per month) -Two-way speaker in base station -1,300-foot range -32-hour back-up	$29.95 per month	$27.95 per month	$22.87 per month
At-Home Cellular	-Uses AT&T’s cellular network -Optional fall detection ($5 per month) -Two-way speaker in station -1,300-foot range -32-hour back-up	$34.95 per month	$32.95 per month	$28.37 per month
At-Home & On-the-Go GPS	-Base station, wristband/pendant, and mobile device -600-foot range (mobile will add 350 feet) -24-hour battery for mobile device -Optional fall detection ($10 per month) -Two-way speaker in station and mobile pendant	$39.95 per month	$39.95 per month	$33.87 per month
At-Home & On-the-Go GPS, Voice in Necklace	-Two-way voice pendant -Uses AT&T’s or Verizon’s cellular network -GPS -Optional fall detection ($5 per month) -30-day battery (or 5-7 days when using fall detection)	$43.95 per month	$41.95 per month	$36.62 per month

At-Home Landline

LifeFone’s At-Home Landline system is the company’s most basic product. Starting at $22.87 per month, the price is on par with some of the industry’s most affordable providers, including Bay Alarm Medical and LifeStation. The package comes with a base station and a choice between a help pendant or wristband. The base station features a loud and clear two-way speaker, a 32-hour back-up battery, and an impressive 1,300-foot range in every direction. No matter where you are in the house, you’ll be able to call for help without worrying about a dropped connection or quiet speaker. The pendant and wristband are water-resistant, so they are shower-safe, but should not be submerged. Additionally, there will never be a need to rush to the phone again—the pendant allows the wearer to answer the phone and speak to callers through the base station’s speaker.

At-Home Cellular

The At-Home Cellular package is very similar to the At-Home Landline package. It still offers all of the same features; the only difference is that this system runs on AT&T’s cellular network5 rather than a landline and starts at $28.37 per month. At just $5 more than the landline system, you’ll have the freedom to place the base unit anywhere in your home since you won’t need to connect to a phone jack. So while this may be a more convenient choice for those without a landline, this may not be the best option for areas where AT&T’s coverage is sparse.

At-Home & On-the-Go GPS

If you enjoy being out and about as much as you enjoy being home, you can get the best of both worlds with LifeFone’s At-Home & On-the-Go GPS—starting at $33.87 per month. This package comes with the same base and help button choices as the other At-Home systems, but this one also comes with a mobile device. The mobile device lasts 24 hours on a full charge, so it may be best to wear the in-home buttons when possible. Something to note is that the impressive 1,300-foot range in the other At-Home systems has lowered to a 600-foot range with this package—but the mobile device will extend the range wherever needed. Both the base station and the mobile device utilize AT&T’s cellular network; the system is not compatible with a landline. This at-home and on-the-go hybrid system is around $5 to $10 cheaper than similar systems from other companies like MobileHelp, so you know you’ll be getting a solid deal.

At-Home & On-the-Go GPS, Voice in Necklace

LifeFone’s At-Home & On-the-Go, Voice in Necklace offers users the most seamless medical alert experience for $36.62 per month. This system solely relies on a mobile pendant, so the user can transition from staying home to running errands without changing help buttons. The pendant itself comes equipped with GPS and WiFi technology, a two-way speaker, and a battery that can last for 30 days (or 5-7 when using fall detection). Whether you’re gardening in the backyard or heading out for a road trip or to the store, you won’t have to worry about a dead battery. Thanks to the GPS technology, help can be sent to your exact location at all times. The system can run on either AT&T or Verizon,6 so potential customers should check which carrier offers the best coverage in places they will normally be.

Extras and Add-Ons

Product	About	Price	At-Home Landline	At-Home Cellular	At-Home On-the-Go	Voice-in Necklace
Mobile Alert App	-Good option for those who do not want to wear a medical alert device -Three alert options (Panic, Concern, and Medical) -Operates on same cellular network as user's smartphone	– $5.95 per month for existing customers – $7.95 per month for new customers	✓	✓	✓	✓
Family Guard App	-Good option for parents and caregivers -GPS tracking -Three alert options (Panic, Concern, and Medical)	Starts at $9.95 per month	✓	✓	✓	✓
Complete Home Package	-Fire and smoke detection -CO2 detection -Includes medical alert system	Starts at $42.95 per month	✓	✓	✓	✖
Activity Assurance Caregiver Tool	-Allows user to set check-in time -If user doesn't respond to check-in within 15 minutes, the agent will follow emergency instructions	$6 per month	✓	✓	✖	✖
Daily Check-In Call	-Allows user to set check-in call time -If user doesn't respond to check-in within 15 minutes, the agent will follow emergency instructions -Can also be used for medication reminders	$19 per month	✓	✓	✓	✓
Medication Reminders	-Set up to four reminders a day (up to 10 medications per reminder) -Caretakers can access this through the Caregiver Portal	$6 per month	✓	✓	✓	✓
Location Services	-Good for individuals with health or memory conditions -Allows an authorized caregiver to request user's location	$9 per month	✖	✖	✓	✓
Fall Detection	-Good for those who may be more at risk of falling	$5 per month ($10 per month for At-Home & On-the-Go GPS)	✓	✓	✓	✓
Vanity Pendant	-Fashionable option for medical alert pendant -Does not include fall detection	$89	✓	✓	✖	✖
Lockboxes	-3 options -Keep keys in lockbox with secret combination -LifeFone agent will give combination to EMTs for easy access into the home during emergency	-$39.95 (Hanging Master and Wall Mount Master) -$29.95 (Hanging Lockbox)	✓	✓	✓	✓
Wall Mounted Help Button	-Easily mounted with Velcro -Put anywhere a fall is likely	$39.95	✓	✓	✓	✓

Other Things to Consider with LifeFone

• Adding a Spouse: LifeFone offers free monitoring for spouses, which includes a second help button. Other companies charge a fee for a second user, so this is a great deal.
• LifeFone’s Return Policy: You can cancel your service at any time, for any reason. Since there is no time commitment, LifeFone will refund you if you paid for your service in advance.
• Lifetime Warranty: LifeFone’s lifetime warranty covers normal wear-and-tear of the equipment (this includes battery replacements) at no extra cost. The company also offers a Protection Plan for an additional $5 per month, which covers damage, loss, or theft.
• Vacation/Relocation Policy: No matter how long you will be relocating for, changing your LifeFone in-home system’s location is as simple as calling LifeFone’s emergency response center and making sure your new location has a landline (if using the landline system).

What’s the Deal?

LifeFone’s services already come at affordable prices, but looking for a great deal never hurts. Here are some ways to make sure you get the best deal for your service:

• Referral program: For every customer you refer to LifeFone, you and your referral will both receive a free month of service.
• Advance payment: Save money by opting for an annual or quarterly plan. It may be more upfront, but the monthly break down can save you up to $7 per month (that’s $84 a year).
• AARP Membership discount: AARP members can receive a discount on their LifeFone service.
• Veteran discount: LifeFone offers a discount for US veterans. This offer cannot be combined with the AARP Membership discount.

Is LifeFone Right for You?

Just because LifeFone comes highly recommended doesn’t mean it’s perfect for everyone. Let’s see if it’s the right choice for you:

• You want options to choose from: LifeFone offers everything from at-home and on-the-go medical alert systems to mobile apps and caregiver tools. The company even has a stylish Vanity Pendant option for those who are looking for a more fashionable option.
• You are budget-conscious: LifeFone offers plenty of affordable services, the choice between monthly, quarterly, and annual payment plans, and there are no equipment or activation fees.
• You want the bells and whistles: The company offers so many different accessories and tools, anyone should be able to customize their service to exactly what they need. But be wary—those accessory prices can add up quickly!
• You speak English well: Unlike Alert1, which offers language support in 190 languages, LifeFone mainly offers support in English. While LifeFone does employ operators who may speak multiple languages, there’s no guarantee you would be connected with them every time you call.

Conclusion

While the number of products and services that LifeFone offers can be overwhelming, we’ve found that with a bit of savvy shopping, you can build a customized service at a really great price. Starting at a low $22.87 per month, the company offers some of the least expensive rates in the industry. Throw in affordable fall detection, no required long-term contracts, and a 30-day money back guarantee, and you’ll see that LifeFone offers solid value with every medical alert system. However, be wary of the extra add ons as they can quickly escalate your monthly costs. Ultimately, when it comes to great technology and service at budget-friendly prices, LifeFone is a good way to go.