Philips Lifeline Medical Alert System Review

Medical  Alert  

Philips Lifeline

About Philips Lifeline

Dr. Andrew S. Dibner, a psychologist and gerontologist, founded this company in 1972. Understanding that the elderly have needs when they are alone was what prompted him to create products to give them some peace of mind. At first, these products were sold only to hospitals and other health care facilities. It wasn’t until 2006 that Lifeline products were marketed to home health companies and then branched out to the individual consumer. Philips Lifeline’s headquarters are located in the Netherlands but they have sales in more than 100 countries. There is also a headquarter office in Massachusetts USA as well. Not only servicing needs for healthcare, Philips Lifeline offers cardiac care solutions, acute care, home healthcare, energy-efficient lighting solutions as well as personal care products, domestic appliances and oral healthcare.

Better Business Bureau Rating

•  Philips Lifeline has been accredited with the BBB since February 13th, 2002.

•  They hold a B+ rating.

•  38 complaints have been closed in the last three years with 14 being closed in the last twelve months.

•  4 complaints were for advertising and sales issues

•  11 complaints were for billing and collection issues

•  23 were regarding problems with product or services

Medical Alert System Products

•  Lifeline with AutoAlert System

•  Lifeline Standard System

•  Medical Response App

Lifeline Standard System Features

This system comes with an adjustable necklace pendant or can be worn around your wrist as a bracelet. •  Waterproof design so you can wear it while in the shower or bath. This is where most

falls occur so waterproofing is essential. •  Comes fully charged •  Access to it 24/7 •  Breakaway neck cord in the event of an emergency •  The communicator offers quick dialing to get help 24/7. •  Easy installation •  500 foot range •  Self testing that will alert you if maintenance is needed •  Up to 30 hours of battery backup •  Remote call answering lets you answer your phone without getting up to handle the

receiver. This will only work if you are in the same room as your communicator.

Lifeline Standard With Auto Alert System Features

This system comes with an adjustable necklace pendant or can be worn around your wrist as a bracelet as well. The added feature to this device is that it can sense when a fall has occurred and will alert those who can help you. •  Waterproof design •  Comes fully charged •  Breakaway neck cord in the event of an emergency •  The communicator offers quick dialing to get help 24/7. •  Easy installation •  600 foot range •  Self testing that will alert you if maintenance is needed •  Up to 30 hours of battery backup •  Remote call answering lets you answer your phone from anywhere in the room. The

speakers on this communicator are more sensitive that the basic device. It can pick up your voice almost anywhere in your home.

Lifeline Medical Response App

With technology making our lives easier every day, having an app for your medical emergency needs is definitely necessary. •  Once downloaded onto your device, you can talk live to any professional if you need help.

You can access this assistance 24/7.

•  Options to have the response center contact whomever you designate.

•  Location detection so you can be found even if you don’ t know where you are.

•  Easy installation

•  Very convenient if you don’t want to deal with the necklace or bracelet.

Pricing  

•  Standard Service starts at $29.95 per month.

•  AutoAlert Service starts at $44.95 per month.

•  No installation fees

•  No cancellation fees

•  No hidden fees

Product Guarantee  

If you find that the product is malfunctioning, Lifeline will replace any and all parts free of charge to you. If you lose or break your button because of your own negligence, then the fee to replace it is only $50. 00. In the event you need your button replaced and cannot afford the full $50.00 upfront, customer service informed us that you need only to call and explain your situation and they will see what they can do to help you get a new device and pay for it in a way that does not put you in a hardship.

Affiliations

•  Caregiver.com

•  VNAA

•  BBB

•  Caregiver Action Network

•  Dr. Marion

•  MedicAlert Foundation

•  Consumer Affairs Accredited

111 Lawrence St. Framingham, MA 01702 800-635-6156 [email protected] Live chat is also available on the website.

Contact Information  

The Good  

We were really impressed with the quality of customer service we received. We had a live chat with one representative and we waited no more than about 30 seconds until we were connected. When we called, we were also greeted promptly. Both representatives were able to answer all of our questions thoroughly and in a professional manner. We love the fact that they have an app for clients to use. This is great for the tech savvy elderly person. Having a product that includes a fall alert is also a benefit since many elderly fall easily. Getting help by pushing a button is one thing, but a system that can call for help without you needing to do anything is quite a benefit. Pricing is pretty standard for what we see in the industry and we appreciate that there are no contracts or installation fees. The range on the devices are also more than adequate for more homes.

The Bad  

The only thing we might consider “bad” with Lifeline is that there is no product, other than the app, for mobile use. The app is great but there is no button conveniently located on your wrist or neck; one needs to use a mobile device instead.

Summary  

We feel that this is a great company to keep in mind for your medical alert needs. Philips Lifeline has very friendly and accessible customer service. Their prices are competitive with others in the industry and with two different systems to choose from, you can get the right equipment for your needs. With 40 years of experience, you can trust that you are getting a quality product and rest assured that you, or your loved ones, are safe.