10-second breakdown:
LifeFone has the extras and options to allow your alert system to do more than just protect against emergencies (but it does that extremely well, too).
The good:
Tons of extras that can be added to the basic alert service including answering phone calls, medication reminders, GPS services, even email and text messaging notifications can be sent through your system.
No cancellation fee or contracts. 30 Money-Back Guarantee as well as a pro-rated return policy if you decide to stop service at any time.
Lots of equipment to choose from for a variety of budgets.
The bad:
Range on the basic equipment is only 480 feet, which is on the lower side. You can extend the range up to 1,500 feet at no additional cost.
The training and certifications of their phone operators isn’t available on their website or otherwise.
How it works:
Businesses don’t last that long without services you can depend on and LifeFone has built a solid reputation for quality equipment at a good value.
LifeFone makes it easy to reach out to them, their phone number is displayed prominently all over their website so you can call to get more information or order one of their products.
If you prefer the internet over live people LifeFone still has you covered. You can find all of the information you need on their website including what they offer, how their products work, reviews and even a blog called ‘Caregivers Connections’ focused around safety and aging.
In addition to giving them a call, there’s plenty of technical support available on the website too. LifeFone has clear instructions for their products, videos and even downloadable PDFs you can print out and keep.
Speaking of offerings, LifeFone brings a few different products to the table. First up is their ‘At Home Landline’ package. It’s a standard medical alert service that includes a large base station and either a waterproof wristband or pendant depending on what you pick. As the name implies you do need a landline connection to plug the base station into but LifeFone claims landlines are more reliable than cellular signals so they recommend the product to seniors who are often alone at home.
Although it doesn’t come standard you can upgrade the pendant to a fall-detection model. If you are unable to hit the button LifeFone will still detect the fall and call the appropriate emergency services.
If paying for a landline isn’t appealing you can upgrade to LifeFone’s ‘At Home 3G Cellular’ or ‘At Home 3G Cellular Fall Detection.’ These two function identically to the landline package but run on AT&T’s 3G cellular network. Thanks to the cell network the emergency buttons get a slight boost in range as well, the landline help button is accurate up to 480 feet but the cellular version tops out at 600 feet.
If you live in an area where the power goes out frequently, you might want to take a second look at the 3G cellular option without fall detection. This package has the longest backup battery life by nearly double. The 3G cellular without fall detection can last a whopping 60 hours while the fall detection models, as well as every other package, are only good for 30-32 hours.
All of the packages listed above only work in or near your home, but what if you live an active lifestyle? Getting older doesn’t mean you need to stop living. LifeFone offers ‘At Home & On-The-Go GPS’ and ‘At Home & On-The-Go GPS Fall Detection.’ The concept is the same but now the packages comes with a mobile system equipped with a GPS that you can take anywhere you please. If something unfortunate happens the built-in GPS will guide emergency services right to you.
No matter what package you choose, LifeFone offers a few extras you can tack on including their ‘LifeFone Daily Check-In Call.’ They can give your loved one a call every day at a specified time just to check in, remind them to take a medication or anything else that may need a reminder.
LifeFone also offers ‘Activity Assurance’ if you went with the landline package. Each day at a time set by the senior, LifeFone will activate the base station and make it beep. The senior just has to go over to the base station and hit any button. It will deactivate the alarm thus letting LifeFone know the senior is home and responding.
One really interesting solution LifeFone offers is their ‘Mobile Alert.’ It’s an app available for Android and iOS that can replace the help button you need to carry around. The app has a ‘Panic’ button for when you need help ASAP, a ‘Concern’ button for situations where you feel uncomfortable but may not need help and a ‘Medical’ button that immediately summons emergency services to your location. Just make sure your senior is tech-savvy enough to not only own a smartphone but are comfortable enough to wield it in a potentially life-threatening situation.
All of the emergency requests go to a US-based call center open 24/7. LifeFone offers unlimited emergency contact notifications so they will contact as many people as you need. Large family? No problem, LifeFone will go down the list and give them all a call, but only after sending emergency services first!
When it comes to medical emergencies you want to make sure you have a reliable service. Nothing is worse than a life saving measure failing right as you need it. LifeFone is a solid choice that has been an industry staple for nearly 40 years. They have built up a solid reputation for reliable, quality products you can depend on and have plenty of experience to share.
For complete rankings of all medical alert systems, go here.
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