Lifeline Cost and Pricing

Lifeline Packages and Pricing

Lifeline allows seniors to live at home (and on the go) with confidence and peace of mind. Their alert plans start at $29.95 per month and range up to nearly $60 per month. Sure, it’s a little pricey — as I’ve tried brands that only charge $19.99 per month — but Lifeline does have some redeeming qualities. Take a look at the breakdown of monitoring prices and other fees for each system.

Lifeline Equipment and Costs

Now there are a few hidden fees we found with Lifeline’s systems. That activation fee, in particular. With any new in-home system, you’re automatically going to be charged $79.00 right out of the gate, and with the mobile system, it’s $99.95. We should also talk about the optional professional installation. That’ll run you $99.99, but we don’t recommend opting for it. These systems are extremely easy to set up right out of the box, so save your money for something else.

One thing you may like is that Lifeline offers free equipment for its systems. In addition, they don’t require long-term commitments or contracts. Still, at $29.95 per month for a landline plan, it’s a bit steep, especially considering that top-reviewed Bay Alarm Medical starts at $19.95 per month for similar coverage.

Lifeline Equipment

One thing to keep in mind when comparing prices is that Lifeline includes in their monthly fees a few costs that other medical alert companies charge as extras. One of these things is fall detection, which is usually an additional $5 to $10 monthly cost. In addition, many companies charge for shipping (as much as $15). However, this cost is part of Lifeline’s installation fee.

Expert Examined

From Christopher Norman, a Board-Certified Geriatric Nurse Practitioner with the National Council on Aging (NCOA)

“I once took care of a patient who had previously fallen and didn’t have a medical alert system. She had an arrangement with two neighbors who would check on her periodically. But one day she fell, and the neighbors weren’t there and she ended up being on the floor, alone, for over 36 hours. When she was finally found by her neighbors, she was taken to a hospital. After several long weeks in the hospital for complications related to her “lie time,” she was sent to a nursing home. Her function was never the same again, and this episode left its mark on her, not only physically but psychologically and emotionally. When she joined our group’s healthcare plan, a medical alert system was implemented. Over time, she was able to heal her trauma from that fall years before. This experience showed me clearly that an ounce of prevention truly is worth a pound of cure.”

Lifeline Wearable Pendant

Other Equipment

Lifeline keeps their add-on offerings and upgrades simple; they sell just a few for those who want to customize their systems. If you or your loved one wants a little extra peace of mind, take a look at the following products.

Lifeline Add-ons and Upgrades

Out of the three offerings, I think the lockbox is the wisest investment. If you press the help button to contact the monitoring system, Lifeline shares your lockbox code with EMS. This allows paramedics to enter your home without having to damage a window or break down a door. Other brands sell lockboxes at similar prices.

LifeLine Medication Dispenser

A unique extra that Lifeline offers is its medication dispenser. Other brands have medication reminder services that cost much less, but the Lifeline option actually dispenses medication, which helps to reduce the chance of dosage errors. Note that the Lifeline product can hold up to 60 doses at a time, and each dose is released in a small cup at a preset time. If you’re interested in an option that costs less up front but includes a reminder service, read my review of Lively alert systems.

Finally, watch for an updated version of the medication dispenser, which Lifeline is currently developing.

Expert Examined

From Christopher Norman, a Board-Certified Geriatric Nurse Practitioner with the National Council on Aging (NCOA)

“For a patient who had end-stage relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, her medication dispenser was actually an automated one. When it was implemented, her adherence to her prescribed medication regimen (and her quality of life!) dramatically improved. If there were times when she missed medication, it was much easier to track the doses she missed, whereas before we were relying heavily on her increasingly not-great short-term memory.”

Caregiver App

Lifeline medical alert systems are compatible with Philips Cares, a free app for caregivers. A main benefit is that the primary caregiver can create a Care Circle of people for Lifeline to contact in case of emergency. (Of course, Lifeline can call EMS, too.) Each contact can share their availability within the app.

Also, Philips Cares allows caregivers to share notes and other important details with one another. It has handy wellness rating categories too, like “Memory,” “Mobility,” and “Mood.” I really like how the app automatically charts these ratings; you can easily see trends in your loved one’s well-being.

Philips Cares Mobile App

It’s worth mentioning that Philips Cares has mostly 5-star ratings at the Google Play Store.2 It’s also well-rated in the Apple App Store, although people have complained that the iOS version is buggy. That said, Lifeline releases app upgrades pretty frequently to improve service.

At this point, the app is a nice freebie to complement the Lifeline system. However, other free apps for caregivers are readily available, so I wouldn’t use it to account for the price difference between Lifeline and other brands. If/when location detection for caregivers is added to the app — well, that’s a different story.

Lifeline Alert System Options

LifeLine sells systems for in-home and on the go. For in-home coverage you can choose between landline and cellular units. For mobile coverage, On the Go is a great choice. It offers fall detection, two-way talk, and location detection.

At-Home Alert Systems

HomeSafe Standard

HomeSafe Standard is available for landline or cellular service. It includes a base station with a speaker and a waterproof button to wear around your wrist or neck. This button can connect with the base station from a few hundred feet away. (Lifeline doesn’t get specific about range, unfortunately.)

Lifeline Homesafe Base Station

A highlight of the HomeSafe Base Standard is the button’s battery life which lasts for years. Also, the base station has a 30-hour battery in case home power is lost. This system is cheapest with a landline connection at $29.95 per month. But if you choose cellular service, it costs $43.95 monthly. If you go with the more advanced HomeSafe system with Auto Alert, it’ll be $44.95 per month with a landline connection, and $58.95 for cellular. For context, the industry average is roughly $28 to $35 per month.

Who It’s Best For: The Lifeline HomeSafe Standard is made for homebound seniors who decide against fall detection.

HomeSafe With AutoAlert

Lifeline HomeSafe with AutoAlert

AutoAlert is Lifeline’s name for automatic fall detection. HomeSafe with AutoAlert is identical to HomeSafe Standard except for the fall detection upgrade. These systems are available with landline and cellular base stations, and typically a base station can monitor a button from other rooms of the house. However, you’ll get a longer range with most other brands.

I like that the plug-in base system has a 30-hour battery in case of a power outage. The monthly rate is $44.95 with a landline connection and $58.95 with Lifeline’s wireless AT&T connection.

Who It’s Best For: HomeSafe with AutoAlert is best for seniors who spend most of their time at home and want the extra protection of automatic fall detection.

Mobile Alert Systems

On the Go

Lifeline On the Go

Like any true mobile unit, Lifeline On the Go offers emergency coverage anywhere it catches an AT&T cellular signal. And I appreciate the all-in-one design, as mobile devices from some other brands require both the mobile device and a fall detection button while out and about.

Also impressive is Lifeline’s use of Advanced GPS, or A-GPS, for especially fast location tracking. Lifeline also uses Wi-Fi to track access points in indoor spaces. Finally, you’ll like how it’s shower-safe and works for up to 72 hours per charge. Lifeline requires an upfront $99.95 activation fee and charges $49.95 per month, which includes fall detection.

Who It’s Best For: This convenient system is best for seniors who want protection at home and away and who also want fall detection.

Current Deal

Lifeline has a longstanding deal with AARP: Members can save 15 percent on monthly medical alert service. Also, shipping and activation may be free. Without an AARP discount or other deal, Lifeline activation costs $50 for at-home systems and $99.95 for the On the Go device.

Military members are also eligible for special savings. These vary, but be sure to ask for military discounts if you’re part of a military family.

Lifeline HomeSafe with AutoAlert

Overall Value of LifeLine

Lifeline monitoring prices are slightly high, as noted above. Keep in mind they also charge fees for activation and self-installation. These fees might be waived if you’re a member of the military or AARP… but in my opinion, nobody should have to pay these extra charges. Thankfully, Lifeline offers free equipment for their systems, which is typical among the highest- rated brands.

Among Lifeline’s greatest strengths are the features on its all-in-one On the Go device. The location detection is advanced, employing both advanced GPS and Wi-Fi. This feature will bring peace of mind to caregivers of loved ones living with dementia, among other medical conditions. I look forward to experiencing the potential addition of location detection for caregivers on the Caregiver app.

In the end, Lifeline is a trusted brand, and for those who don’t mind paying a little bit extra, it’s a product that will likely not disappoint older adults or their caregivers.

LifeLine Background

Dating back to 1972, Lifeline was the first medical alert brand to serve North America. It was the brainchild of the late Dr. Andrew Dibner, a gerontology-focused professor at Boston University. He grew the company with his wife Susan Dibner, a social worker by training. At first, they marketed Lifeline systems to hospitals. Then in the early 1980s, Lifeline became available for home use.4 Their first mobile unit, GoSafe, hit the market in 2014.

Lifeline was acquired by Royal Philips in 2006. Since the sale, the company has maintained a strong reputation with seniors and their loved ones. You can learn more about the brand background in our recent LifeLine review.

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