Overview
Lively is a health technology company based in San Diego, California. Before 2021, it was known as GreatCall. It specializes in health and safety services and products to help older adults feel safe and enable them to easily call for help in an emergency.
Monitoring Services
Lively’s monitoring services are all based in the United States and are available to you 24/7, no matter which Lively device you use. The care specialists who answer your calls have all been certified by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) and can handle any emergency situation.
But the Lively help button isn’t just for emergencies, so you can also call if you’re locked out of the house or just confused.
Unlike other medical alert systems we’ve reviewed, Lively doesn’t offer just one type of monitoring. Its Basic Package, Preferred Package, and Ultimate Package options allow you to choose the type of monitoring and level of response you need.
- Urgent Response—This package, required on all Lively devices as part of the Basic Package, connects you to agents who have your medical information in front of them. They will confirm your location and will stay on the line with you until your situation is resolved.
- Urgent Care—This feature is included in the Preferred and Ultimate packages, and allows you to use your Lively device to communicate with board-certified doctors and registered nurses. This can enable you to get critical medical advice or prescription refills without a trip to your doctor’s office.
- Lively Link—This mobile app, included in the Preferred and Ultimate packages, allows your family or caregivers to use their iPhone, Apple Watch, or Alexa-enabled device to monitor your health and safety. For example, if you use your Lively device to call for help, Lively Link will instantly notify the caregivers you have specified.
- Personal Operator—Available only with the Ultimate package, this concierge service can help you contact a caregiver or deal with non-emergency situations. You can even use it to contact Lively Rides, a transportation service that offers discounted rates for those who no longer drive.
- Fall Detection – Available with Apple Watch-based Lively devices and the Ultimate Package on Mobile+, this feature can issue an Urgent Response call automatically if you are unable to.
Health & Safety Options:
- Urgent Response
Health & Safety Options:
- Urgent Response
- Urgent Care
- Lively Link
Health & Safety Options:
- Urgent Response
- Urgent Care
- Lively Link
- Personal Operator
- Fall Detection
Product Features
Lively offers its medical alert systems in an array of different products, each targeting a different set of customer needs and required levels of care. All of its alert systems and products run on the mobile network.
Lively Mobile+
Lively’s most well-known product is the Mobile+, a self-contained mobile alert system that works anywhere and requires no base station or additional equipment. It can be worn as a pendant, clipped to a belt, or carried in a purse. Plus, it’s waterproof, so you can even wear it in the shower.
Press its single help button, and you are instantly connected to one of Lively’s care specialists, who will stay on the line with you until the situation is resolved. They’ll have your medical records in front of them, and they’ll know where you are, because the Mobile+ has GPS location technology. If you opt for the Urgent Care plan, you can even use the Mobile+ device to speak directly to doctors and nurses.
Lively on Alexa devices
Designed to run on your Alexa device, this version of Lively makes getting help in an emergency as easy as saying, “Alexa, call for help.” The sound of your voice connects you to Lively’s Response Team. They can provide a higher level of support than calling 911, because they have your personal medical profile in front of them. If you need to call emergency services, they can also make the call for you.
Lively on Apple Watch
The same award-winning Lively monitoring services are now available on your wrist. You can access the Lively Response Team directly through your Apple Watch.
Lively smartphones
Lively also has a line of smartphones designed especially for ease of use. The Jitterbug Smart devices are more modern smartphones, while the Jitterbug Flip devices feature a smaller, classic flip-phone design. All of these phones are fully functional cell phones that include the same medical alert capabilities as Lively’s standalone devices. The company also provides a wide range of useful accessories for their phone products.
Is Lively Safe and Reliable?
How Lively Works
How to Get Started With Lively / How to Sign Up for Lively
Installation Process
Lively devices are consistently easy to install and set up.
The hardware devices require no setup. Just turn them on and they’ll prompt you on how to do a test call to show that you’re connected to the Lively Response Center. You will need to call the customer support number provided with your device or connect online through the website. Then, specify the device you’re trying to set up, and you’ll be walked through the process step by step.
The process will start by requesting your personal profile. It’s important not to skip this step, because the information you enter will help the Lively Response Team assist you if you ever need to call them in an emergency. The more information you can provide with regard to medications, health conditions, and even little things like where you hide your spare key, the better.
Contract and Fees
The best news first: no long contracts are required to use Lively systems. There is a 30-day trial period, and all plans renew on a month-to-month basis. Prices vary depending on the Lively product you select and the package plan you choose.
Lively Customer Support
Lively has a full customer service team that can be reached at its support number or by completing an online form. It also offers many online options to help customers with questions, such as in-depth user guides, how-to-videos, and tutorials.
Lively’s phone number is 800-733-6632.
Lively Customer Support can be reached at https://www.lively.com/support/ or by filling out the online form at https://www.lively.com/support/contact-us/.
Lively Pricing
How Much Does Lively Cost?
Prices for the three most popular Lively systems are listed in the chart below. Prices for the company’s phone systems vary so much depending on features that we would suggest you check with the Lively website or contact their customer service to find exact pricing.
Lively Mobile+
$37.49*
$19.99/month
$24.99/month
$34.99/month
Lively on Alexa devices
Device is usually pre-owned
$24.99/month
Not available
Not available
Lively on Apple Watch
Device is usually pre-owned
$24.99/month
Not available
Not available
* One-time cost. There may also be an activation fee of $35.
Bottom Line
Lively seems to offer a well-thought-out array of medical alert systems for various devices, all specifically designed to be senior-friendly. Customers seem to agree, with most reviews reporting that users feel safer with the system and that response times to their calls are fast and efficient.
The health & safety options lively offers are more extensive than many on the market, with the option to integrate your own devices and get fall detection on your apple watch. Despite how comprehensive the system is, the Mobile+ system with the Basic Package is still one of the lowest-priced medical alert systems on the market (though the cost can go up if you add options). All in all, we think it’s an excellent choice for seniors who are active and like to spend time outside the home.
