Lively Mobile Plus Medical Alert Review in 2023

Pros and Cons of Lively Mobile Plus

Lively Systems Overview

Lively offers one medical alert system, the Lively Mobile Plus, as well as an urgent response service that's available on either an Alexa-enabled device or an Apple smartwatch.

Lively Mobile Plus

This cellular system connected me to the monitoring center in any location that had an adequate cell signal. With a rechargeable battery that lasted 24 hours, I took this button absolutely everywhere I went –– even into the shower! Although I preferred to put it in my pocket, it could also be worn on a lanyard or on the hip with the included belt clip.

Lively on Alexa Devices

For those who already have an Amazon Echo device, you might consider using it with Lively's urgent response service. For $24.99 per month, you can turn your Amazon smart speaker into an emergency response device. Unlike the Lively Mobile Plus, however, this service is voice-activated. Rather than press a button to contact a response agent, you simply say, “Alexa, call for help.”

If you're interested in this service, you also might consider subscribing to Alexa Together, which provides similar features for only $19.99 per month.

Lively on Apple Watches

As with an Echo device, you can add Lively urgent response service to an Apple Watch for $24.99 per month. While this method doesn't allow voice commands––rather, you must press a button––it can be paired with the smartwatch's fall detection to automatically make emergency calls when a user falls.

Using My Lively Medical Alert Systems

After ordering my Lively Mobile Plus through Lively’s website, I was excited to start testing it out. Once it arrived at my house, I opened the box and found the following:

• 1 Lively Mobile Plus device
• 1 charging dock
• 1 magnetic lanyard
• 1 belt clip

Installation

As with most mobile systems, the setup process was quick and easy. I plugged my charging dock into an outlet, placed my device on the charger, and waited until my device said, “Setting up device; please wait.” A few moments later, my device flashed a green light, and then said, “Welcome to 5Star.”

After this, I received an automated test call from the monitoring center, confirming that my device was activated and ready to use. I’d recommend installing the Lively Link app on your smartphone (or that of a loved one). This way, any of your loved ones can keep tabs on your system.

Performance

With my system installed and charged, I started testing its basic features. First I placed a series of test calls in my home. Each of them was answered promptly and politely by agents at Lively’s U.S.-based monitoring center. To test out the waterproofing on this device, I brought it into the shower and found it still performed flawlessly.

To test out the cellular connection, I took my Lively Mobile Plus on a trip around town. At the park, the library, and even on a short hike through the woods, I found that my calls were able to go through. On average, I only had to wait about 12 seconds for a monitoring agent to respond.

One of my favorite parts about my Lively Mobile Plus was that I could place an urgent response call both in emergency situations and for general assistance. Each time when I connected to a 5Star agent, they took the time to understand my situation and plan a proper response. For example, if I had fallen and needed medical attention, they would have contacted emergency responders; however, if I’d simply locked myself out of my home, they would contact a loved one to come help.

Another impressive feature of the Lively Mobile Plus was its fall detection. Each time I simulated a fall (which is about as glamorous as it sounds), my device automatically called Lively’s 5Star service and connected me with an agent. A couple of times, my device detected a fall when this was not the case. Luckily, when this happened, I could easily cancel the call by pressing my device's call button.

Lively Mobile Plus Extra Features

In addition to its professional monitoring, my Lively Mobile Plus also came with some more advanced features, including medical advice and caregiver tracking.

Through Lively Link, their smartphone app that was part of my plan, I could choose a group of loved ones who had access to information from my device. For example, every time I made an emergency call, my husband received a notification on his smartphone. Additionally, my husband and kids could keep track of my location through this app, as well as receiving notifications when my device’s battery went low.

Another feature I appreciated was Lively’s Urgent Care. With this feature enabled, I could use my Lively Mobile Plus to connect directly to a hotline with real doctors and nurses. To do so, I simply had to place a call to the monitoring center and ask to be connected to urgent care. Once connected I spoke to a nurse practitioner who was able to answer some questions I had about medication.

While certainly not standard for medical alert systems, I appreciated that Lively included these optional features in their device. Especially for a person who lives alone, the addition of a caregiver app is a great way to give loved ones peace of mind.

Support

If I needed help or had any questions about my Lively Mobile Plus, I could either call the company directly, check out their online help center, which I found really useful, or fill out a form online. I didn’t run into too many problems testing it out, but it was good to know that if I did, I had options.

Lively’s Pricing and Plans

Lively Mobile Plus pricing requires both a device purchase and a monthly subscription charge for your service. The device charge will be between $37 and $50, depending on where you buy the device. The Lively Mobile Plus is currently available online and in Best Buy stores.

Your subscription charge will be between $24.99 and $34.99 per month, depending on which package you choose. The Preferred plan costs $24.99 per month and includes Urgent Response Services, Lively Link App support, and customer support. The Premium plan costs $34.99 per month, and it includes all the Preferred features in addition to direct access to doctors, nurses, and care coordinators. Essentially, you can use your Lively Mobile Plus unit to ask health and care-related questions from professionals.

On either plan, you can add fall detection for an additional $10 per month.

If you want a more detailed breakdown of Lively’s pricing, check out my Lively pricing page.

Lively Mobile Plus vs. Life Alert

When it comes to medical alert systems, Life Alert is undoubtedly the most popular option; however, in terms of price and features, we think that the Lively Mobile Plus is the superior option.

For starters, there is the cost. Life Alert systems start at $49.95 per month (not to mention activation fees), and to get Life Alert’s mobile system, you’ll have to pay an additional $20 per month, as their mobile unit cannot be purchased alone.

The Lively Mobile Plus, however, starts at $24.99 per month. This price rises to $34.99 per month if you want fall detection, a feature not even offered with Life Alert.

The Lively Mobile Plus also offers a caregiver app, Lively Link, which allows loved ones to receive notifications on their phone when a user presses their help button. It can also be used to track the location of the Mobile Plus unit. Life Alert offers none of this functionality.

While the Lively Mobile Plus is technically a mobile system, requiring daily charging, it can easily be used as a home medical alert, making it all-around a better option than Life Alert.

To learn more about our experience with Life Alert, read our full Life Alert review.

Final Thoughts on Lively

Overall, I had a really good experience buying, setting up, and testing out my Lively Mobile Plus. It’s certainly a top pick when it comes to the best medical alert systems, even if the battery life left something to be desired. Still, for active older adults, it’s a functional and reliable way to keep safe just about anywhere you go.