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Effective and affordable emergency alert equipment for home and away
LifeStation is a long-standing medical alert brand that offers both at-home and on-the-go systems.
I recently reviewed the LifeStation Mobile LTE Medical Alert with GPS. Besides the all-around affordability, I really liked the loud, clear voice prompts on this device, which will be particularly effective for seniors who are hearing impaired.
LifeStation Mobile LTE Medical Alert with GPS
Unfortunately, I was disappointed that customer service and the website provided inconsistent information on pricing and features. But after some digging, I have the scoop! So this time around, I am going to focus on LifeStation’s plans, packages, and monthly costs to help you evaluate the brand.
You’ll see that LifeStation has relatively few upgrades, but they do offer several free services for caregivers. In the end, LifeStation may be a good match for you or your loved one’s budget and lifestyle.
Check out more recommendations from the SafeHome team:
LifeStation offers a tiered pricing model (Basic, Select, and Supreme) for two separate systems (at-home and mobile).
When looking at the pricing and packages for the at-home systems below, you’ll notice that the basic system includes an activation fee of $10. In addition to a $10 shipping fee, that will bring your total to $41.95 for the first month’s total payment. To avoid this one-time activation fee, you might consider purchasing LifeStation’s Select or Supreme package.
LifeStation also offers monthly, quarterly, and annual payment plans. Keep in mind that if you opt for quarterly or annual payment, your shipping fee will be waived.
Basic Package | Select Package | Supreme Package | |
---|---|---|---|
Help Button | Not Available | Included | Included |
Free Activation | Not Available | Included | Included |
Protection Plan | Not Available | Included | Included |
Fall Detection | Not Available | Not Available | Included |
Price | $21.95 landline $30.95 cellular |
$26.95 landline $35.95 cellular |
$31.95 landline $40.95 cellular |
Regarding the protection plan, it’s offered for both at-home and mobile systems, and covers the cost of any lost, damaged, or stolen equipment.
In addition to the protection plan and other services the at-home packages provide, the mobile system also offers a few accessories, depending on which package you select. You’ll see that these prices are slightly lower than the industry average as indicated below.
Basic Package | Select Package | Supreme Package | |
---|---|---|---|
Protective (Belt) Case | Not Available | Included | Included |
Help Button | Not Available | Included | Included |
Protection Plan | Not Available | Included | Included |
Fall Detection | Not Available | Not Available | Included |
Free Activation | Not Available | Included | Included |
Price | $37.95 | $42.95 | $47.95 |
I like how LifeStation keeps their rates simple and straightforward. However, I was disappointed to learn that an activation fee is tacked onto the basic packages for both the mobile and at-home systems.
Still, the prices are competitive in the medical alert industry, and LifeStation’s in-house monitoring center holds a Five Diamond Certification from The Monitoring Association (TMA).1 A TMA certification is important. It shows that LifeStation goes the extra mile to educate its staff members, is open to random inspections, and otherwise meets high standards for an emergency call center.
It’s also worth mentioning that every LifeStation plan includes a 30-day refund window. Also, with their pay-ahead plans, you can get a prorated refund as long as you return the equipment (also important!). In my experience, I’ve found that lower-rated brands charge penalties for early cancellation.
Pro Tip: While we think that LifeStation offers great value, one of the few perks they do not include is a price lock guarantee. If you are concerned about increasing monthly fees as you age, Life Alert offers a price lock guarantee. Unfortunately though, in our research and in testing Life Alert, we found that Life Alert prices are too high for the average senior. And honestly, their customer service could be improved, too.
Note that some medical alert systems offer a long menu of add-ons. LifeStation, on the other hand, keeps it simple with just a few basics. Honestly, the company is lacking in this category — I’d love to see a few extra accessories and upgrades on offer. Here’s a quick rundown of LifeStation upgrades and costs.
Add-On | Description | Monthly Price |
---|---|---|
Lock Box | Securely stores a house key for paramedics and other helpers | $2.95 |
Panic Button | Connects wirelessly to LifeStation home base stations | $2.95 |
New on the Market: LifeStation Luxury is a jewelry pendant which launched in December 2020. The pendant pairs wirelessly with Bluetooth to the Mobile LTE, which can be carried in a purse or pocket while on the go.2
Another thing to bear in mind about LifeStation is that they strive for improvement. But unfortunately, when I called to inquire about the price of the LifeStation Luxury, my customer service agent had never heard of the product. Hopefully it’ll be widely available in due time, since I believe older adults can greatly benefit from pendant alerts.
Take a look at LifeStation’s free services using this handy chart. These freebies provide location tracking and communication tools to assist caregivers.
Service | Description |
---|---|
Find My Loved One | Locate a loved one using only a text message |
Care Alert | This chat service for emergency contacts enables caregivers to respond quickly during an emergency situation |
Smart Speaker Integration | Track loved one’s location in real time using Amazon Echo or the Alexa app |
FYI: Uber Health is an exciting feature advertised on LifeStation’s website. However, customer service representatives knew little about it, and the supervisors to whom I was referred did not respond to my questions. Substandard customer service was a recurring theme with LifeStation. So if you’re looking for stellar service, I highly recommend reading my latest review of Medical Guardian or looking into my analysis of Bay Alarm Medical.
Another system designed with caregivers in mind is Aloe Care Health. Their at-home system includes motion sensors and great communication tools. See our Aloe Care Health analysis for more info.
With just three systems to choose from, the LifeStation lineup is easy to understand. For home-only protection, there’s one system that requires a landline and another that communicates wirelessly. And for older adults requiring protection in any location with cellular service, there’s the Mobile LTE button. All three systems connect with LifeStation’s Five Diamond-certified call center.
FYI: LifeStation’s Mobile LTE button gets service through the AT&T network. Also, anywhere that an AT&T mobile phone works, the wearable works, too.
LifeStation At-Home Landline Equipment
This system connects with a home phone line. It includes a white base station and a matte black button that gets up to a 500-foot range. The range is shorter than what I am used to seeing for in-home systems, but it fit our needs just fine. And I like how the new wearable button weighs just half an ounce; you’ll probably forget you’re wearing it. Two-way voice communication works via the base station, which also has its own emergency call button.
The starting rate for monitoring on this unit is $21.95 per month, and LifeStation doesn’t charge for the equipment. At signup, you can choose between a wrist button and a neck pendant, or get both monitored for an extra $3.99 per month. This is a great deal for spouses because both would receive full protection starting at just $25.94 per month.
Who It’s Best For: At-Home Landline is best for seniors with a landline who spend most of their time at home.
Made for homes without landlines, the At-Home Wireless unit has a cellular chip for calling LifeStation operators. You’ll like that the equipment is provided for free, and the base rate for monitoring is $30.95 per month with no contract required.
Like the At-Home Landline system, the wireless option includes your choice of a matte black button for the wrist or neck. Extra wearables cost $3.99 to monitor each month. Again, a great deal for spouses. And these buttons get up to a 600-foot range from the wireless base station. Finally, much like the landline base, the At-Home Wireless base has a built-in microphone, speaker, and help button. The only difference is its gray color.
Good To Know: If you lose power at home, your LifeStation home system will keep running. These base stations have 32-hour backup batteries.
Good To Know: If you lose power at home, your LifeStation home system will keep running. These base stations have 32-hour backup batteries.
Mobile LTE is a wearable device that offers protection at home and away. It uses AT&T’s 4G LTE network and holds power for up to five days per charge. At 2.5 ounces, it isn’t the smallest on-the-go button, but it has the advantages of two-way talk and exceptional location technology. A LifeStation operator can determine your precise location, even indoors, with a proprietary combination of GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth signaling. LifeStation even offers a jewelry pendant that comes pre-paired through Bluetooth with the Mobile LTE. Women can maintain their style and their safety at once.2
LifeStation Mobile LTE Medical Alert with GPS
I like how Mobile LTE uses loud and clear voice prompts, too. It really is an all-around solution for emergency protection. And for comfort, LifeStation has begun providing a lightweight help button for use in the home for some of the packages. Mobile LTE will cost you a minimum of $37.95 per month for monitoring, which is in sync with average industry pricing.
Who It’s Best For: Mobile LTE is made for seniors who want convenient on-the-go emergency alert coverage.
Wearing LifeStation while walking the dog
While LifeStation isn’t currently running a deal, I have seen discounts in the past, especially around the holidays. For instance, a Fourth of July sale might run for two weeks. In a recent year, LifeStation included free shipping for all systems during a Memorial Day sale.
You might also receive a medical alert discount if you have an eligible health insurance plan. Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield are a few of the companies that partner with LifeStation.3
LifeStation Mobile LTE Medical Alert with GPS
If you have the patience for mediocre customer service, LifeStation plans provide good value for the home or on the go. The systems include free equipment, and the monitoring is priced competitively.
Pro Tip: Not sure what to look for in a medical alert system? Read our comprehensive Medical Alert Systems Buying Guide.
For one person, the system ranks as one of the best deals I’ve seen for in-home protection, provided that the maximum range of 500 to 600 feet is sufficient for your home and property size (it covered mine just fine). And if you need to protect two people at home, you have the option of adding just $3.99 per month for service. Keep in mind though, other alert systems like Bay Alarm Medical or Medical Guardian alert systems offer two-for-one deals on in-home protection. Worth looking into!
The price is right on the Mobile LTE, too, especially when LifeStation waives the activation fee. On the other hand, LifeStation does not charge an equipment fee as some other companies do. The strengths of the Mobile LTE unit include loud voice prompts, an extended battery life, and location detection that can be accessed by both the monitoring center and caregivers. Monitored for $37.95 per month contract-free, it’s a decent value for an on-the-go medical alert system.
LifeStation Mobile LTE Medical Alert with GPS
Established in New Jersey in 1977, LifeStation is one of America’s oldest medical alert companies. For over four decades, it served entire nursing homes and gained the trust of senior wellness leaders such as AARP, Blue Cross, and TheSeniorList.com.
And proving that old dogs can learn new tricks, LifeStation has continued to innovate, adding newer technology such as fall detection and location detection that utilizes not only GPS but also Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.4 This family-owned company also runs its own monitoring center to help ensure high-quality service. Overall, LifeStation just might have an alert system that makes sense for your budget and lifestyle.
LifeStation Mobile LTE Medical Alert with GPS
LifeStation offers a 30-day, money-back guarantee if you try the product and decide it is not the right fit. If cancelling, customer service can provide directions for returning the equipment. Note that the $10 shipping fee is not reimbursed.
No, just one system uses a landline. The others have cellular chips that do not require a landline.
Yes, a spouse can receive a second help button for $3.99 per month. Only one monitoring fee per household is charged.
No, LifeStation is relatively affordable. Their prices per month are lower than, or similar to, leading competitors. One senior can start for as little as $21.95 per month total. (Although one-time fees for shipping and activation will be added for this basic package.)
That depends on your lifestyle and budget. But in our testing, the Mobile LTE button was the most useful. It’s waterproof and works anywhere with cellular signaling.
LifeStation.com. (Accessed 2020, May 26). Medical Alert Provider.
https://www.lifestation.com/
PRweb.com. (2020, December 22). LifeStation Luxury Redefines Medical Alert Systems with Bluetooth Connected Jewelry. https://www.prweb.com/releases/lifestation_luxury_redefines_medical_alert_systems_with_bluetooth_connected_jewelry/prweb17628562.htm
Blue Cross. (2020). Health Insurance Provider.
https://www.medicalalertbenefits.com/bscamedicare/
PRnewswire.com. (2019, December 5). LifeStation Introduces Mobile LTE: Next Generation Personal Emergency Response System.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lifestation-introduces-mobile-lte-next-generation-personal-emergency-response-system-300970066.html