RescueTouch Medical Alert Review

RescueTouch Pros and Cons

Before I dive into my experience with RescueTouch systems, here’s a quick overview of the product.

RescueTouch Systems Overview

What sets RescueTouch apart from its competition is the variety of subscription tiers that fall under two distinct monitoring plans.

RescueTouch Family Monitoring

Instead of connecting users to a professional monitoring center when a fall is detected or the SOS button is pushed, the device connects you to family members or caregivers. The device first sends a text to the designated caregiver(s), and then calls their phone number. You can then speak to your family members and caregivers through the device’s built-in speakerphone to determine what care is needed. Here are the family monitoring plans:

• Family Response: Starting at $34 per month, this is the least expensive family monitoring plan. The Family Response plan will connect you to one designated contact when you push your SOS button: First, your contact will be sent an auto-generated text, and then they will be called. Once they pick up, they are directly connected to you. This option is perfect for older adults who have nearby family members or caregivers who can help, instead of immediately contacting emergency responders.
• Family Response With Fall Detect: The premium family response plan starts at $39 per month, and it allows up to five family members or caregivers as contacts. This plan sends a group text to your designated contacts when you push your SOS button, and then calls them one by one until you’re connected with someone. This plan also includes fall detection, so it suits people who have nearby family members or caregivers and would like additional fall-detection protection.
• Chit Chat Twin Pack: This premium plan, which starts at $64 per month, includes all of RescueTouch’s fall-detection and family monitoring features on two RescueTouch devices. The two devices can also call each other using the Chit Chat side button — similar to how walkie-talkies function. This is perfect for a two-person household.

RescueTouch Professional Monitoring

This plan calls the RescueTouch monitoring center when the SOS button is pressed. The two premium professional monitoring plans also include the family monitoring plan features, so the device will also contact your designated family members or caregivers. Here is an overview of the professional monitoring plans:

• 911 Direct: This subscription allows you to push your SOS button and immediately speak with a local 911 operator through your device. RescueTouch does not use a third-party monitoring company for this plan, and instead acts simply as a 911 hotline so you don’t have to use a cell phone or landline. The device has an unlimited range, and it’s one of the cheapest monitoring systems available, starting at $29 per month. This is a good option for older adults who do not need a cell phone but want a low-cost and easy-to-use connection to emergency responders.
• The Whole Shebang!: This premium professional monitoring plan connects you to both a 24/7 monitoring center and up to four designated family members or caregivers. When you press your SOS button, the device first sends a group text to your designated caregivers, and then it calls RescueTouch’s monitoring center so you and the operator can decide if emergency responders or your caregiver should be called. The device also sends an alert text and connects you to the monitoring center when a fall is detected. The plan starts at $49 per month, and it’s great for older adults who want the security of both a professional monitoring center and local caregivers.
• Chit Chat Monitored Twin Pack: This plan starts at $74, and it’s perfect for a two-person household. The device has all the capabilities of the Whole Shebang subscription plan (including fall detection), and it allows you to call other synced devices using the Chit Chat side button. The plan includes two devices, and it’s best for married couples, partners, or roommates.

RescueTouch Medical Alert Features

Using My RescueTouch Medical Alert System

My RescueTouch system arrived quickly through free priority shipping with the following items:

• 1 RescueTouch device
• 1 charging cradle
• 1 instruction manual

Installation

The RescueTouch comes in four colors: pink, green, blue, and black. I chose a lime green device. The device arrived fully programmed and activated, so I could immediately use it once it was charged. Unlike other systems, RescueTouch requires no base station or landline for activation.

I ordered the Whole Shebang plan to try both the professional and family monitoring systems. I provided my designated contacts’ phone numbers to Florida Telehealth before receiving the device, and it came fully programmed with that information. I can still change my designated contacts whenever I need by contacting the company.

Testing RescueTouch Medical Alert System

My favorite things about the RescueTouch system are its small size and design. The pendant easily fit in my hand, and it was not heavy when I wore it around my neck. It’s not cluttered with unwieldy buttons and screens, and I could take it in the shower since it’s waterproof. The battery lasted approximately five days.

When I pressed the central SOS button, my designated contacts immediately received a group text reading, “Help me.” About 35 seconds later, I was connected with a RescueTouch representative. That’s not the speediest response time, but it is not the slowest I’ve encountered.

I chatted briefly with the incredibly nice representative, who asked about my situation and talked me through whether I should call emergency responders, a designated contact, or both. You can choose the response that best fits your situation, so you’re not stuck with a hefty emergency-room bill if you don’t need that level of care. ER visits cost up to $690 for people age 65 and up.

VoiceConnect

RescueTouch uses the AT&T cellular network, and it essentially acts as a cellular device. The audio quality was clear and crisp, and it picked up my voice even when I held it away from my body. I appreciated the ability to make direct calls to loved ones (as opposed to monitoring agents), because not every situation requires emergency responders. For example, if you simply run out of toilet paper and need someone to bring more, a RescueTouch device could facilitate that call.

Fall Detection

What separates RescueTouch’s fall detection from other leading medical alert devices is its adjustable sensitivity levels, which helps prevent false alarms. I tested the feature by jogging around the house — an activity that can set off more sensitive medical alert devices — and it did not trigger an alert. When I dropped the device from five feet high on the same sensitivity level, however, it triggered the family and professional alert. No fall detection is 100 percent reliable, but I was pleased with RescueTouch’s performance and capabilities.

Overall, I liked the system. I appreciated that I could program the device to connect me with either 911 or a family member based on the situation, which helped me feel more in control. Its unlimited range also offered greater independence.

RescueTouch Pricing

RescueTouch offers six pricing plans. One nice thing about its pricing system is that fall detection is included in the monthly base price, as opposed to an add-on charge. The straightforward pricing system is transparent and spares you the danger of a bloated monthly bill.

I paid $60 a month for my Whole Shebang package, which included fall detection. The least expensive professionally monitored plan is $40 per month, but it connects users with 911 as opposed to a professional monitoring center. The family monitoring plan starts at $45 monthly. You can qualify for a discount of up to 10% for purchasing a year-long contract.

RescueTouch includes a one-time $99 equipment fee at sign-up, but you will then own the device instead of leasing it. This means you won’t have to send back the equipment or pay for a lost or damaged unit if you decide to discontinue your service.

Final Thoughts on RescueTouch

RescueTouch is not your everyday medical alert system. The device is small and compact, and I like its style, versatility and that the fall-detection technology is embedded in a single device. Other systems have separate fall-detection pendants that may be hard to keep track of. RescueTouch, however, does not offer the bells and whistles that other companies do. I wish it had more advanced features, such as medication reminders or a dedicated caregiving app.

What you get with RescueTouch is freedom. You can choose a family monitoring plan or a professional monitoring plan based on your needs and circumstances, which allows you greater control of the care you receive in an emergency. That can provide profound independence and peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

To learn more about my favorite medical alert systems, check out my list to find the best medical alert system of 2023.