Learn the pros and cons of Life Alert’s mobile medical alert system and how best to protect your loved one in an emergency
With technology evolving so rapidly, more and more seniors are saying goodbye to their landline services and making the switch to smartphones.
Before, medical alert companies relied on landlines to connect users with their monitoring centers. But as seniors become more tech-savvy, brands like Life Alert are being forced to adapt and add mobile alert systems to their lineup of products.
As an industry leader, Life Alert is usually the first company that comes to mind when you think about medical alert systems. And that’s no accident. We’ve all seen those “I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up” commercials on TV.
Life Alert has been in the game since 1987. And according to their website, they take over two million calls every year. So, as one of the biggest medical alert brands in the business, how have they adapted to the changing market?
Below, we’ll be covering Life Alert’s mobile alert system, how it works, and how it stacks up against the Rescu app.
Life Alert Mobile
Since the advent of the smartphone, Life Alert has rolled out two mobile alert systems to protect their users while on the go. Their Help On The Go + GPS plan includes a small portable emergency button that customers can take with them wherever they go. Pressing the button contacts Life Alert’s monitoring center so they can dispatch emergency services to the user’s exact location.
Life Alert also offers mobile services for regular phones and smartphones. For standard cell phones, they provide a direct line to their emergency monitoring center that customers can put on speed dial in case of a crisis. For tech-savvy seniors with smartphones, Life Alert has a downloadable app that puts users in touch with their emergency call center whenever they need help.
Both of these mobile alert systems offer a simple, practical way for active seniors and adults with medical conditions to get emergency support when they’re out and about. But these systems aren’t without their drawbacks.
The Disadvantages of Life Alert Mobile
The most glaring issue with Life Alert is their pricing. Not only do they have the biggest customer base, but they also have the biggest price tag.
Based on the system you choose, you’re looking at an installation fee of anywhere from $96 to $198, and that’s just to set up your service. Monthly rates go from $49.95 to $89.85 per month, which at the lowest are double what most medical alert services charge. Not to mention there’s no month-to-month subscription. When you go with Life Alert, you’re locked in for a minimum of three years.
Additionally, the mobile app they offer depends on the user’s ability to communicate with the monitoring center verbally. When tragedy strikes, getting immediate help can mean the difference between life and death. If your loved one is hard of hearing or can’t speak to explain their emergency, it could waste valuable time and delay the dispatch of emergency services.
Lastly, with the Help on the Go mobile alert system, GPS location services are a big plus, but having a button to carry around just adds one more thing to keep track of. It’s not very big, but it’s not exactly comfortable or convenient to wear around your neck all the time. Something like that is bound to get left in the car or misplaced.
Rescu: Your Mobile Alert System Solution
With the Rescu app, your loved one’s mobile alert system is already in their purse or pocket. This revolutionary alternative to 9-1-1 is the quickest and most affordable way to get help in an emergency.
Unlike Life Alert, Rescu doesn’t require installation fees, contracts, extra equipment, or communication with a help center. With just two taps on their mobile device, your loved one can instantly dispatch fire, police, or medical responders to one of four registered addresses. As soon as your loved one calls for help, Rescu will notify a pre-approved list of emergency contacts immediately.
Also, Rescu was designed to integrate seamlessly into your smart home system, allowing you to send for help with a single voice command. If you’re out of town and you see your loved one take a fall on the security camera, you can dispatch emergency services from anywhere in the world.
The Rescu app gives you the power to respond quickly and reliably wherever you are, whenever your loved ones need help. And with monthly subscription rates starting at just $7 per month, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more budget-friendly mobile alert system. Download the Rescu app for free on the App Store or Google Play today.
