LifeFone Reviews
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About LifeFone
Lifefone is a medical alert system that provides emergency assistance to seniors. Systems are UL- and FCC-certified and include features such as wearable devices, in-home base stations and mobile apps. It has a 24/7 emergency response service with trained operators who can dispatch help when needed.
Pros & Cons
- No upfront equipment cost
- Lots of device options
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- No contracts
- Costs extra for caregiver app
- Some complaints about billing
Featured Reviews
My son wanted me to have the ability to get 911 immediately or him or anybody… When I tested it, their response was immediate and the reps who came on the line were friendly… I we...
Read full reviewI’m normally by myself and I work by myself. I had a stroke about a year and a half ago… I haven’t used it yet as I haven’t really needed it, but so far so good. I bumped it one d...
Read full reviewLifeFone services
LifeFone offers the following services:
- Personalized emergency care instructions: Customers and caregivers input custom care instructions for specific situations so a call center operator can best assist the customer.
- Easy relocation: LifeFone systems are easily uninstalled and transferred to another residence. Placing a call to the emergency response center reactivates the system in the new location.
- 100% lifetime warranty: A lifetime warranty backs all LifeFone equipment units for manufacturer’s defects.
LifeFone equipment
LifeFone
At-Home System
$30.95 per month as of publishing date
Includes a base station and a water-resistant help button that can be worn as a pendant or wristband. It has a range up to 1,300 feet and a 32-hour battery life. Connects to a landline or cellular network.
LifeFone
VIP Active
$37.95 per month as of publishing date
Voice-in-pendant with optional fall detection. The device is water resistant, and the battery lasts up to five days. Optional features include fall detection and GPS location request.
LifeFone
VIPx
$39.95 per month as of publishing date
LifeFone’s smallest alert device is water resistant and has advanced location technology that uses cellular, Wi-Fi and GPS technology. The battery lasts up to 10 days. Available in black, white and silver.
LifeFone
Safe Watch Active®
$43.95 per month as of publishing date
Features include emergency help, heart rate monitoring, step tracking, weather updates and low battery warning. Runs on LifeFone's cellular service utilizing AT&T LTE.
LifeFone
VIP Flex
$39.95 as of publishing date
Smallest, lightest and most versatile medical alert device. Can be worn on a wristband, a belt clip or a necklace. Location services via cellular data, WiFi or GPS technology. Battery lasts up to five days.
LifeFone
Wall-Mounted Help Button
$39.95 each as of publishing date
The Wall-Mounted Help Button activates the medical alert system by signaling the response center exactly like a wearable emergency button. Mounts with Velcro.
LifeFone costs
With LifeFone, you only have to pay for the monitoring service, which starts between $24.95 and $43.95 per month. There are no equipment costs, activation fees or restocking fees. You also don’t have to commit to a contract, so you can cancel anytime without worrying about a cancellation fee.
You have to return all your equipment when you cancel services. Otherwise, the company will charge you for the devices.
LifeFone packages and pricing
VIP Active is a voice-in-pendant mobile medical alert device. The VIPx is similar, but it’s lighter and smaller. Both can be used at home or on the go.
VIP Active | VIPx | VIP Flex | At-Home Landline | At-Home Cellular | Safe Watch Active | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mobile capabilities | ||||||
GPS capabilities | ||||||
Two-way voice communication | ||||||
One-time equipment cost | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Starting monthly fee | $37.95 | $39.95 | $39.95 | $24.95 | $30.95 | $43.95 |
Optional fall detection | $5 per month | $5 per month | $5 per month | $5 per month | $5 per month | $5 per month |
LifeFone caregiver app features
LifeFone also has the VIP XCaregiver Mobile App for iPhones and Androids. The app keeps you connected, providing real-time updates on your loved ones' welfare and activity levels. Some of the standout features include:
- View current location: Locate the device from anywhere.
- View button press history: Get a notification whenever the button is pressed.
- Check device battery level: Receive a notification when the battery is low or the power is off.
- Manually ring the device: Help the user find a misplaced unit.
How does LifeFone compare?
Compare LifeFone with similarly rated medical alert companies.
Companies | Monitoring fees | Equipment cost | Activation fee | Fall detection | Trial period |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
LifeFone | $29.95-$49.95 per month | $0 | $0 | Yes | 30 days |
ADT Medical Alert | $31.99-$41.99 | $0 (excludes add-ons) | $99 | Not available with Medical Alert Basic | No |
Lifeline | $29.95 to $58.95 per month | $0 | $79 to $99 | Yes | No |
Medical Guardian | $29.95-$44.95 | $0-$199.95 | $0 | Yes | No |
Life Alert | $49.95 to $69 per month | $0 | $198 | No | No |
LifeFone FAQ
What is LifeFone?
LifeFone is a medical alert company that offers emergency response systems for those who spend most of their time alone. LifeFone’s home and mobile medical alert systems have nationwide cellular coverage, immediate assistance and personalized emergency care instructions.
LifeFone also has options for smoke and fire detection services. All LifeFone monitoring centers are located in the United States and staffed with experienced personnel.
How do LifeFone medical alert systems work?
The LifeFone medical alert system is activated by pressing an emergency help button on a wearable LifeFone wristband or pendant, base station or wall-mounted button. The alert system notifies the LifeFone monitoring station. An emergency care agent then tries to establish communication with the customer, and if the customer cannot be reached, the agent dispatches emergency services to the home.
Emergency care agents are available 24/7 to help with non-emergency situations as well. They have access to your medical history and can contact family members and caregivers and reference your personalized care instructions to best assist you.
Does it cost money when I press the button?
LifeFone doesn’t charge a fee when you press the button. However, there may be an out-of-pocket expense if your emergency requires a ride in an ambulance.
A reviewer in California said that LifeFone is “very good. They always answered my calls and were here within a few minutes” but was surprised to “charged $100 or more” after a trip to the hospital in “a professional ambulance truck.”
How fast is LifeFone’s response time?
Response times can vary, but most verified customers tell us it’s within seconds. A reviewer in New York said they got help in two seconds. Another in California said, “It’s probably within four seconds or even less when I push that button on my wrist that they’re on the line.
“The time it took for me to get to talk to the person at the other end felt like 30 seconds,” according to a reviewer in Pennsylvania. “That seems like a long time when you’re in that situation but it really isn’t.”
When was LifeFone founded?
LifeFone was founded in 1976 and is one of the oldest personal emergency response companies in the United States.
Is LifeFone’s fall detection reliable?
According to the company, it can detect approximately 95% of falls.
Does LifeFone make a good medical alert?
The majority of customers we’ve talked to tell us that they would recommend LifeFone to a friend or family member.
Many appreciate the quick response times, and people often tell us that the fall detection is accurate and effective in triggering alarms. The system's ease of installation and setup process also comes up a lot. A very small number of reviews mention instances where the emergency dispatch was delayed or not received as expected.
However, some have expressed dissatisfaction with billing issues (often citing unexpected charges) or frustration with the cancellation process. A few told us about instances of technical malfunctions with the equipment, like false alarms or poor battery life.
Overall, we like the versatility of Lifefone, because it can be used both at home and on the go. The GPS tracking feature is also valuable. It’s a good company to consider for yourself or a loved one.
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- 4,536,144 reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified.
- We require contact information to ensure our reviewers are real.
- We use intelligent software that helps us maintain the integrity of reviews.
- Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.
LifeFone Company Information
- Company Name:
- LifeFone
- Year Founded:
- 1976
- Address:
- 16 Yellowstone Avenue
- City:
- White Plains
- State/Province:
- NY
- Postal Code:
- 10607-1324
- Country:
- United States
- Website:
- www.lifefone.com