The Forbes Health editorial team is independent and objective. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Health site. This compensation comes from two main sources. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. Second, we also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles; these “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them.
The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Health. While we work hard to provide accurate and up-to-date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Health does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.
A medical alert system can be a life-saving investment. However, it’s crucial to find a device that integrates seamlessly into your life—and ensures you or your loved one can swiftly contact emergency personnel when needed.
Below is a review of the Lively Mobile Plus medical alert system, along with insights, guidance and expertise to help you determine which system may best suit your needs.
The Lively Mobile Plus medical alert system is an all-in-one alert device, meaning there’s no base station or other equipment needed. When the alarm is pressed on the wearable, the device alerts an emergency response center. The device is equipped with GPS technology, allowing users to access emergency response when worn in and away from the home. When the device is used in an emergency situation, responding operators use GPS to locate the user and send help.
Fall detection is an important add-on feature—the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one in four adults over 65 years old experiences a fall each year[1]Keep on Your Feet—Preventing Older Adult Falls. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed 6/14/2022. . This Lively medical alert device features a sensor in the lanyard that detects sudden movement; however, some users find it lacks sensitivity and doesn’t respond as quickly as desired.
When I tested the fall detection function by dropping the device on carpet, it didn’t respond. When I dropped it a second time with more force, it still didn’t respond. When I threw the device on a linoleum floor, it placed an emergency call after about a minute.
Bay Alarm Medical On-the-Go GPS Help Button
This one-the-go button is lightweight and compact enough to fit comfortably on a keychain. It provides high bandwidth needed for accurate location tracking and better coverage nationwide.
I tested the timing of the device’s emergency response connectivity with a timer in hand. I pressed the alarm. After a few seconds, I heard a telephone ring until an operator picked up my call, a process that took a total of 20 seconds. I told the operator I was testing my device. She assured me that the device was working properly and that she could hear me clearly.
For a person of average height, the device rests at chest level. The alarm is a small recessed square in the middle of the device. Some medical alert necklaces are so sensitive that they can alarm from the weight of clothing pressing against the button when the user leans forward. In the days that I wore the Lively device, I never experienced a misfire with the alarm.
Since this Lively wearable is an all-in-one device, it must be removed nightly and placed on a small charger. Other medical alert devices I’ve used have in two parts: the necklace and the “telephone” that connects to a monitoring center. Those devices remain plugged into an outlet and never need charging. Although I placed the Lively charger in plain sight, I frequently forgot to put it back on when I woke up in the morning.
Unlike many other medical alert systems, the Lively device is waterproof and can be worn in the shower, a place where accidents in the home are likely to occur. I showered while wearing the device, intentionally getting both soap and water on it. The device and lanyard dried quickly, and I didn’t feel as if I was wearing a wet rope around my neck when I got out of the shower.
The device is simple to set up and use. There’s a telephone number on the website if an individual needs help with ordering or preparing to use the device.
The device can be purchased either on the Lively website or from several other online and brick-and-mortar stores. If a customer decides to order from the latter, in many cities it can be delivered to the customer’s home within hours if the store has the device in stock.
On the Lively website, customers are encouraged to compare prices among several vendors. You can easily view prices on websites like Amazon, Walgreens and Best Buy.
At the time of writing, Lively’s website offered this particular device for $24.99. However, I overlooked an activation fee and other fees added to the device at checkout. If a customer orders from another vendor, the activation fees are charged after purchase and the user must call Lively to activate the device. When I checked out online, I was surprised by the $60 total since I was expecting only to be charged for the device.
Lively offers users three pricing tiers for their monthly monitoring billing options. The basic package costs $24.99 for emergency response only, the preferred package costs $29.99 and includes a link to a family member, and the ultimate package costs $39.99 and includes urgent care and fall detection.
I ordered the device on a Monday morning. By Monday afternoon, a Lively customer service representative called to confirm my order. The device arrived a few days later with complete setup instructions.
When I purchased the device, I included all the additional services available for the Mobile Plus. In addition to the 24-hour monitoring service, I signed up for automatic fall detection, urgent care access with a doctor or nurse through the device, and a link for a family member to access my account. That family member is now notified each time I use the device.
I’ve used several different medical alert systems in the past, so setting up the device wasn’t difficult. With other systems, the company usually sends a technician to the home to set up the device and to instruct the user on how it works. The technician runs a test alert to make sure the device is working properly before leaving.
With the Lively Mobile Plus, I completed my own setup, which took less than 15 minutes. Afterward, the device automatically placed a test emergency call for me, and the response to the call was a recorded message.
The size of the device surprised me. It is 2.5 inches long and worn around the neck. Compared to the 1-inch device necklaces offered by other medical alert companies, it was substantially larger and heavier. While I understand its all-in-one design contributes to its size and weight, it does make it difficult to wear the device discreetly. I wore it beneath a loose-fitting t-shirt and was amused by the lump in my shirt and blinking LED light I could see flashing through the fabric.
Lively also offers two Jitterbug cell phones, a flip phone and a simplified smartphone, all with red alarm buttons at the bottom of the keypads. Jitterbug phones are designed for individuals who don’t need or want to navigate a lot of technology. Customers who opt for a Jitterbug phone also have access to Lively Rides, a service that orders rideshare transportation and charges for the transportation through the person’s Lively account.
For people more comfortable with technology, Lively offers an app for iPhones and Apple Watches that enables users to call for emergency help or meet with an urgent care professional.
The Lively Mobile Plus medical alert system is a solid option for anyone looking to improve their safety while living an independent life both inside and outside the home. However, the performance of the automatic fall detection feature could be improved, and nightly charging could pose an issue for users who are likely to forget to put it back on each morning. Meanwhile, it’s a plus to be able to wear the device in the shower without impacting its functionality.
You May Also Be Interested In Mobile Alert Systems For Home Use From Our Featured Partners
Equipment costs start at $79, service starts at $24.95 a…
Yes, for an additional $10 per month
On Medical Guardian's Website
Service starts at $29.95 a month
Yes, for an additional $10 per month
Yes, for an additional $10 per month
Bay Alarm Medical In-Home Medical Alert
On Bay Alarm Medical's Website
Service starts at $19.95 a month
Yes, for an additional $10 per month
(Note: Product details and price are accurate as of publication and are subject to change.)
Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only. Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional.
Forbes Health adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise endorsed by our advertisers.
Elaine Shelly is a writer and filmmaker who spends her free time with books, music and yarn.
Robby has spent his career in a variety of writing, editing and storytelling roles. He now resides near Birmingham, Alabama, with his wife and three kids. He enjoys woodworking, playing rec league soccer and supporting chaotic, downtrodden sports franchises like the Miami Dolphins and Tottenham Hotspur.