|
April 27, 2023
|
The Senior List is compensated when you click on the provider links listed on this page. This compensation does not impact our ratings or reviews. Click here to learn more about our editorial review process and click here to learn more about how we are compensated.
We picked out a few more recommendations worth considering:
LifeStation’s line of products, made for use both in and out of the home, promises comfort and the peace of mind that comes with knowing help is just a button click away. But how well does LifeStation deliver on its promise?
In this review, I’ll look at LifeStation’s most recent offerings, particularly its Mobile LTE system. I’ll walk through my experience purchasing, installing, and testing the system.
Pro Tip: To learn about all things related to medical alert systems, including devices, their costs, and how to use them, check out my comprehensive guide to medical alert devices.
Before we delve into everything LifeStation offers, here are some of my favorite things about its systems and a few of my reservations.
LifeStation offers three main system packages:
Each of these systems has three subscription options: Select, Standard, and Supreme.
After exploring my choices, I chose to test both the in-home cellular system and the mobile pendant since I’m often out and about for work. I also decided on the Supreme plan.
| Two-way talk | Yes |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Landline or cellular |
| Average response time | 31 seconds |
| In-home range | 500 feet |
| Fall detection | $10 per month |
| Caregiver portal | No |
My LifeStation Mobile LTE system was shipped for free and arrived on my doorstep in a matter of days. When I opened the box, I found:
My in-home cellular system included:
The first order of business was verifying and signing my service agreement. I double-checked that my information was correct and returned the agreement to LifeStation. If you don’t complete this step, your service could be affected.
I then unwrapped my charging cradle, plugged it into an outlet, and placed my mobile medical alert in the cradle. The instructions recommended I charge the device for three hours before using it, but the battery light stopped flashing after about two hours, indicating a full charge. I tested the device by pressing the help button, which connected me to a care specialist who informed me that my system was up and running.
My in-home package arrived a day or two after my mobile system. I placed the base station in an area I frequent and pressed the help button on the pendant, which was so light it didn’t feel like I was wearing something around my neck. After about 20 seconds, I heard the voice of one of LifeStation’s customer care agents. He confirmed that my system was working.
Savings tip: If you have children or pets around, LifeStation’s stellar equipment-protection plan may be worth considering.
My mobile system charged fully in less than three hours, and I didn’t have to charge it again for a full five days. When I tested the system, the audio was crisp and clear — even when worn around my neck, the microphone picked up my voice accurately. The monitoring center responded in an average of 17 seconds to calls from both the at-home and mobile systems.
I was impressed by the size of the in-home system’s help button. When worn as a bracelet, it was hardly larger than a typical wristwatch. Older adults often shy away from using a medical alert system, so the device’s discrete nature is definitely a plus. I can’t say the same about LifeStation’s mobile version, though. It’s lightweight, but at three inches long it’s nearly the length of a deck of cards.
After misplacing the carry-on travel bag that contained my mobile pendant charger and at-home pendant, I was grateful I’d purchased the Supreme plan with equipment protection. Most medical alert providers claim to have warranties or equipment protection, but they often just cover breaks. LifeStation’s plan covers loss and theft, which saved me a good chunk of cash.
On its website, LifeStation proudly mentions that its monitoring center is TMA award-winning and the recipient of the CSAA Five Diamond certification. That all sounds well and good, but what does it mean?
TMA (The Monitoring Association) is a trade association specializing in professional monitoring: home security and, yes, medical alert systems. Its Five Diamond Program is designed to recognize excellence in monitoring centers throughout the United States. To earn the certification, a security center has to continually educate its workers, submit to random inspections, and make a commitment to reducing false dispatches. When I used my devices to contact LifeStation, I was in the hands of industry professionals. Every LifeStation care specialist goes through 160 hours of formal training, and regularly engages in performance reviews.
Each emergency call made through LifeStation has two care specialists on the line. If emergency services need to get involved, one care specialist will remain on the line until help arrives. It’s human touches like these that help LifeStation stand out. Anyone can call an ambulance, but only a true caregiver can provide comfort.
One feature I loved with LifeStation’s Mobile LTE system is the aptly named Find My Loved One app. Available on the Alexa mobile app, Find My Loved One allowed me to connect my smartphone to my medical alert system. Then, by simply saying, “Alexa, locate me,” I was able to pull up my geographic coordinates on a map.
I can see this feature coming in handy, allowing me to see when my loved one leaves home and safely returns. If you’re interested in a medical alert system with robust location tracking, then take a look at my list of the best medical alert systems with GPS.
My LifeStation at-home system cost $24.95, plus an additional $10 per month for fall detection. The mobile system cost $37.95 per month. These prices reflect the amount you’d pay with an annual contract, but month-to-month payments will cost slightly more.
To learn more about LifeStation’s systems and prices, take a look at the LifeStation pricing page.
LifeStation may not be the most technologically advanced medical alert system, but it undoubtedly provides solid protection backed by compassionate professionals. It is one of my picks for this year’s best medical alert systems.
It most certainly will. The LifeStation in-home system contains a backup battery that lasts up to 32 hours.
Absolutely! Both the mobile medical alert and the in-home version are fully waterproof and can ensure continuous protection in the shower or tub.
Yes, to a certain extent. The Mobile LTE Medical Alert system is fully functional outside the home, and it’s a great option for seniors with an active lifestyle. The in-home version’s range is likely large enough to cover some outdoor living spaces, but you should conduct a range test before assuming an area is covered by your system.
It most certainly can. The mobile medical alert pinpoints location using a plethora of advanced technologies. Through GPS satellites, Wi-Fi, and cellular signals, the LifeStation monitoring center can track your location anywhere in the continental United States with precision.
Have no fear! LifeStation’s mobile medical alert system uses AT&T’s 4G LTE network, a nationwide service included with your LifeStation subscription.
