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October 21, 2021
Pro Tip: AARP members save $60 every year on select Lively medical alert packages. Give Lively a call for more information.
Formerly known as GreatCall, Lively offers a range of senior-friendly cell phones and medical alert systems that provide 24/7 emergency assistance. With streamlined product offerings, Lively is known for two medical alert systems: Lively Mobile + and Lively Wearable 2, both of which start at $49.99, plus a monthly plan and activation fee.
In addition to the one-time equipment fee, you can choose from a monthly plan based on three tiers: the Basic Package, Preferred Package, and Ultimate Package. These packages range from $24.99 to $39.99 per month.
If you want a device that isn’t geographically restrictive, then Lively is a great option. Let’s take a closer look at its systems and some of its unique monitoring features.
Pro Tip: To learn about my hands-on experience with Lively, take a look at my review of Lively medical alert.
| In-home system | None |
| Mobile system | $24.99 per month |
| Most affordable system | $19.99 per month |
| Fall detection | $20 per month |
| Extra users | Additional system required |
Approximately 76 percent of older adults believe that connected-care technology is essential for their well-being at home. If you are considering buying one of Lively’s emergency-care devices, it’s important to understand their specific features. Below is an overview of what’s included with each system.
The Lively Mobile+ device is considered Lively’s fastest call response model to date. If emergency response time is of concern to you, then you might want to upgrade to this all-in-one medical alert device. The Lively Mobile+ comes with two-way talk, as well as a waterproof help button, belt clip, magnetic lanyard, and charging dock.
Worn as either a pendant or wristband, it connects to Lively’s monitoring center and offers enhanced GPS accuracy, making it easy to triangulate your location during an emergency. The all-in-one device is also easy to install — it takes no more than a few minutes to carry and use. If you are not thrilled with the idea of charging your device every day, you may be pleased with the system’s long 80-hour battery life. With reliable coverage and Lively Fall Detection, this all-in-one medical alert gets you the help you need right away. The Lively Mobile+ has a one-time cost of $49.99 along with a monthly fee ranging from $24.99 to $39.99.
Think of this device as a smartwatch and emergency alert system rolled into one. Much like Lively Mobile+, this two-way-talk device is water-resistant and has a fall-detection option. The primary difference is that the Lively Wearable2 needs to pair with a mobile phone in order to function. To use this device, simply press the button on your wearable to connect your smartphone to Lively Urgent Response, lively’s emergency response center. From there, you can use the synced phone to speak to one of the agents.
The battery is also replaceable and lasts about four months, so there is no need to worry about daily charging. This system starts at $49.99 per month and requires a smartphone and the Lively app to work.
| Lively System | Lively Wearable2 | Lively Mobile Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | – $24.99 for Basic – $29.99 for Preferred – $39.99 for Ultimate |
– $24.99 for Basic – $29.99 for Preferred – $39.99 for Ultimate |
| Initial fees | $49.99 (one-time equipment fee) | $49.99 (one-time equipment fee) |
| For use | In and out of the home | In and out of the home |
| Equipment | – 1 mobile unit – 1 charging cradle |
– 1 smartwatch – 1 smartphone |
| Connection type | Cellular | Cellular |
| Fall detection | Included with Ultimate plan | Included with Ultimate plan |
| Caregiver portal | Included with Preferred and Ultimate plans | Included with Preferred and Ultimate plans |
| Additional features | – 24/7 nurse hotline – GPS technology – Waterproof device – 3-day battery life |
– 24/7 nurse hotline – Water-resistant – 4-month battery life – Step tracker |
Add-ons are a little more about style and heightened usability than the essential services. The following options are available for your Lively wearable devices:
| Accessory | Price |
|---|---|
| Lively Mobile Plus lanyard | $14.99 |
| Lively Mobile Plus belt clip | $9.99 |
| Lively Mobile Plus AC charger | $19.99 |
| Lively Mobile Plus wristband | $19.99 |
To purchase a medical alert system from Lively, visit the company’s website. You’ll be able to look at its devices and check out the plans offered for each. If you want a bit more personal buying experience, then you may want to purchase your device over the phone. If you decide to purchase online, click “buy now” and add a Health & Safety package, or your choice of three monthly fee tiers ranging from Basic, Preferred, and Ultimate. From there, you’ll need to pay the one-time purchase fee for the device, along with other taxes and fees. Your credit card won’t be charged until you review your full order.
Lively Mobile+ comes with a free one-year warranty that covers any manufacturing defects in the device or accessories, as well as a decline in the rechargeable batteries’ performance. For the Lively Wearable2, only the device will be repaired or replaced in the event of a malfunction.
If you subscribe to the Ultimate package, then you’ll get an extended warranty that covers accidental damage, loss, and theft.
Lively offers one of the fastest call-response times in the medical alert industry: between 15 and 23 seconds. It’s a phenomenal advantage, considering the average medical alert system takes a minute and a half to connect users to a call center agent. The efficiency is due to Lively’s U.S.-based call center, which is owned and operated by the company itself.
By just pressing the button on your medical alert system, you can connect to the company’s service center. If you press and hold your button for five seconds, you will be routed directly to 911 operators. The ability to connect instantly with the police, fire department, or emergency responders is unique to Lively, and it sets the service apart from its competition.
In addition to basic emergency monitoring, which comes with all plans, Lively also offers some premium monitoring services.
| Feature | Basic | Preferred | Ultimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urgent response | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Urgent care | No | Yes | Yes |
| Lively link | No | Yes | Yes |
| Fall detection | No | No | Yes |
| Extended warranty | No | No | Yes |
| Monthly cost | $24.99 | $29.99 | $39.99 |
Below is an overview of the features provided with each package.
Imagine if an older adult were to go for a walk and suddenly forget their way home. What would ordinarily be a stressful situation may be mitigated with the Urgent Response service offered with each of Lively’s plans. With just the press of the button, you can connect to Lively’s monitoring center and communicate with its highly trained agents via your device’s two-way speaker.
If you wish to consult quickly with a doctor or nurse, you can use Lively’s Urgent Care app for 24/7 access to medical advice from health-care professionals. By addressing issues as they arise, the app reduces the risk of diseases progressing unchecked. This is another feature that is not commonly offered by other medical alert brands.
For family members or caregivers who wish to keep tabs on the older adult in their care, Lively’s Preferred and Ultimate packages offer a free smartphone app that is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.
For the app to work, you’ll need to give permission for your personal and device-related information to be shared with your caregiver. The app will then send emergency alerts to your caregiver any time your button is pressed or a fall is detected. It can also inform your caregiver about your device’s battery status and your exact location at any time. The app also has a support center featuring resources and tips for caregivers.
Situations like a slip in the shower or missing a step are scary affairs, and a medical alert device would be useless if you’re unable to press the help button and speak into it. That’s where the extra $10 a month for the Ultimate subscription can make a difference. After unlocking its built-in fall-detection feature — without having to buy any additional equipment — your device automatically determines whether a fall has occurred and alerts the emergency response center.
Is fall detection a must-have? Then check out my rundown of the best medical alert systems with fall detection.
Lively Personal Operators are available 24/7 for emergency assistance and help making calls, getting driving directions, and scheduling a ride.
In addition to medical alert systems, Lively has partnered with Lyft to help you travel with ease. Simply press 0 on your Jitterbug Smart3 or Jitterbug Flip2, and a ride will be scheduled for you via a Lively personal operator.
Lively offers some of the most user-friendly devices on the market. It does not limit you to any particular space, allowing you to live a mobile and independent life. The company has done a mighty fine job creating affordable medical alert options that are intuitive to use. Lively is one of my favorite medical alert systems overall.
If you return the device within 30 days, you will get a refund. But if you have canceled in the middle of a new cycle, you will get a refund of the subscription on a pro-rata basis. While there is no need to return the device in case of non-payment of the subscription fee, users who wish to renew the service may end up having to pay late fees. The good news is that Lively doesn’t bind users to long term contracts or charge cancellation fees.
You may choose to get the device fixed or replaced with the free one-year manufacturer’s warranty. Any manufacturing defects or battery issues (if capacity falls below 80%) are covered by this plan. At just $4 per month, users can extend the warranty to cover accidental damage, theft or loss of the device.
Yes, both Lively devices are completely waterproof, being IPX5 tested (certified) resistant to water splashes. This is important since older persons shouldn’t be without their medical alert device, especially when they are in the bathroom where the chances of slipping are high.
Absolutely! In fact, arguably, one of the biggest advantages of Lively is that you don’t need a landline at all. Its systems are linked to Verizon’s cellular network. So, no matter where in the USA you are, if there is a cellular network, you will have access to the system’s emergency services.
Since the Lively Wearable2 is not a standalone device, it will need to be synced to your phone to start functioning. If your medical alert device is outside of the phone’s audible distance range then you will not be able to communicate with the call center agent.
