Complete protection with multiple systems
Some medical alert system providers lock you into just one plan option if you’re interested in fall detection. LifeFone is not one of those providers.
LifeFone offers both a landline and cellular based in-home system, as well as an in-home and GPS based plan, which essentially means you can get two systems for the price of one. The best part is, fall detection can be added to any one of their plans for an additional fee.
- Buying experience
The convenience of being able to purchase equipment and sign up for a plan online is a huge benefit for many buyers and LifeFone does an excellent job laying out all their plan options on their website. In fact, you can also purchase from a wide range of accessories such as wall-mounted help buttons, lock boxes, car chargers, and more.
Want to learn more about the fall detection system without having to call in and talk to a customer service representative? Fill out the custom form on the “Request Info” tab and they will send you additional information about all of their plans, including fall detection.
- Equipment
LifeFone offers quite a few pieces of equipment with their plans. Every plan includes an in-home base unit. If you decide that the GPS service is right for you, you’ll receive both an in-home base unit and a portable GPS unit. The in-home unit offers 600 feet of coverage and the GPS unit offers 350 feet of coverage.
Each unit can be paired with an emergency button and a fall detection button. Fall detection is not included within the mobile GPS unit, which means you’ll have to take the GPS unit and your fall detection button with you if you decide to leave home. When you’re at home, there’s no need to carry the GPS unit with you when you wear your fall detection button. The fall detection button is waterproof so that it can be taken into the shower.
Battery life is important for all medical alert system equipment. Both the fall detection button and emergency button utilize a battery that does not need to be charged. The in-home base station has an emergency backup battery of 30 hours, while the GPS unit holds a charge for 24 hours before it needs to be placed on its base station.
- Setup
Setting up the system will depend on which system you choose. Landline systems need to be plugged into the wall and the phone jack, while cellular systems only need to be plugged into the wall.
No matter what plan you choose, there’s no additional setup needed for the fall detection pendant. It works automatically with each system.
- Pricing and value
Adding fall detection to your LifeFone plan can be more affordable than other providers. Fall detection only costs an additional $5 a month when you choose the basic in-home system. With the cellular system, it only costs an extra $6 a month. If you want the combined in-home and GPS system, the addition of fall detection costs $10 a month. This top-of-the-line plan is called LifeFone’s At Home and on the Go Emergency Response GPS Service with Fall Detection and it costs $46.95/mo. However, if you opt for fall detection with the basic in-home system, the cost is only $29.95/mo.
The savings don’t stop there. LifeFone doesn’t charge any activation fees or equipment fees, and you can enjoy free shipping when you choose the annual or quarterly plan. A lifetime subscriber price guarantee, lifetime subscriber equipment guarantee, and unlimited emergency contact notifications are included with each plan. To top it all off, they offer a 30-day money back guarantee.
- Service
With fall detection, you can rest assured that a trained Care Agent will be there for you if you experience an accident. Even if you can’t communicate with the Care Agent directly, they will still send medical personnel to your location.
LifeFone also offers additional services that can be added to your plan. Care Agents can perform daily check-in calls and medication reminders, and caregivers, friends, and family can even use the GPS system to locate their loved one for an additional fee each month.
- Conclusion
If you’re looking for complete coverage at home and away, including fall detection, LifeFone is a good choice. Because they essentially offer multiple systems for the price of one, they offer a great value for the money.
The good
- No activation or equipment fees
- 30-day money back guarantee
- Lifetime subscriber price and equipment guarantee
- Unlimited emergency contact notifications
- Free monitoring for a spouse
- Fall detection can be added to every plan
- Fall detection pendant is waterproof
- Daily check-in calls, medication reminders, and location service are available
- Help button and base unit batteries are remotely monitored in LifeFone’s call center to ensure service continuity
The bad
- Because fall detection not built into the GPS-enabled device, it is worn as a separate, lightweight pendant, giving you a range of up to 350 ft. from the mobile unit