GreatCall

• No Base Unit
• Variety of Medical Alert Options
• Health and Safety Packages
• No Contracts or Cancellation Fees
• IAED Certified Agents
• Customer Service
• Fastest Call Response Time

No Base Unit

Lively Mobile is an all-in-one lightweight device (.088 lbs) with no invasive base station required. Lively Mobile works like a small cell phone so you can take it anywhere, and it has no home base unit or tether to a landline. This makes GreatCall's medical alert systems extremely easy to use and set up.

Variety of Medical Alert Options

GreatCall has additional options outside of the typical medical alert device. The company offers smartphone and flip phone options that are made specifically with older adults in mind and also act as a medical alert device. Whether a customer is looking for a smartphone medical alert device, a more simple flip phone medical alert device, a medical alert button only, or a wearable medical alert device, GreatCall has every option. 

Keep in mind, capabilities with each medical alert plan vary depending on your chosen monthly plan. The information listed below includes all capabilities in the most advanced plans, so the more basic plans will not include all listed items. The complete medical alert options and offerings are below:

Jitterbug Smart2

The Jitterbug Smart2 is a smartphone and cellphone service with a built-in medical alert device. The upfront cost is $149.99 with a monthly fee ranging from $19.99–$34.99 as well as a $25 activation fee. The GreatCall Jitterbug has a large 5.5" screen, voice typing capabilities, and a front-facing speaker for more quality sound. The battery life is long-lasting, and the phone includes a 13MP built-in camera with a flash as well as a 5Star urgent response button. It also includes Internet access.

The Jitterbug Smart has added capabilities to enhance the user's everyday experience. You can receive daily, automated check-in calls that ask questions about pain levels, appetite, and overall well being as well as receive a weekly wellness call from a wellness expert. A personal operator is also available for finding addresses and phone numbers. The Jitterbug includes daily health tips for seniors directly from the American Heart Association and suggested brain games to challenge the mind and improve your memory. 

To further health assistance and emergency precautions, the Jitterbug Smart gives you access to urgent care 24/7 to speak with a nurse or doctor without an appointment. You can also request your prescriptions for common medications through the phone call. Caregivers can download the GreatCall Link app to stay informed of the health and safety of GreatCall product owners, and there is a product replacement available so if the Jitterbug owner ever loses or breaks the phone, GreatCall will replace it.  

Lively Flip

The GreatCall Lively Flip is a mobile device similar to the Jitterbug Smart2 except it is a flip phone rather than a smartphone. It is $99.99 upfront with a monthly fee ranging from $19.99–$34.99 as well as a $25 activation fee. The phone has an Urgent Response button on the keypad for easy, 24/7 access to the Lively Response Team, should you need any assistance whatsoever. It is also compatible with Amazon Alexa, so you can use your voice to send texts, make calls, and more.

Lively Mobile Plus

Lively Mobile is GreatCall's medical alert emergency pendant. It is $49.99 upfront with a monthly fee ranging from $24.99–$39.99 and a $25 activation fee.  It has a proprietary design made by GreatCall that is simple to use. It has a loud integrated two-way speaker that turns on the moment you press the button for assistance. It includes 5Star urgent response, urgent care, the GreatCall Link app, fall detection, and product replacement. It also has GPS location technology and is completely waterproof, so you won't have any functionality issues if used in the shower or other wet places.

Lively Wearable2

Lively Wearable is the GreatCall medical alert device that is wearable as a wristband or necklace. It costs $49.99 upfront and comes with a $14.99 monthly fee and $25 activation fee. It includes 5Star urgent response, the GreatCall Link app, and fall detection. It includes GPS location technology and the alert device is waterproof, so it's safe to use in the shower and easy to wear. Lively Wearable2 also has up to four months of battery life, a step tracker, and daily health tips. You will need to have an Android 7.0 or iPhone iOS 11 or later to use the Lively Wearable2.

Health and Safety Packages 

GreatCall has a variety of service plans you can choose from to ensure you're getting the best plan for your needs. 

Basic Plan ($19.99)

• 5Star Urgent Response — Enjoy 24/7 service from trained health agents.
• Brain Games — Access to fun and challenging games to keep your brain sharp. 

Preferred Plan ($24.99) — Includes everything in the Basic Plan

• Urgent Care — Talk with certified nurses or doctors 24/7 without an appointment and receive prescriptions over the phone.
• GreatCall Link —  Caregivers can use the GreatCall Link app to keep track of their loved one's health and safety information provided by GreatCall products. 

Ultimate Plan ($34.99) — Includes everything in the Basic Plan and the Preferred Plan

• Fall Detection — This includes fall detection technology that contacts 5Star Urgent Response agents in the case of a fall.
• Personal Operator — Unlimited access to live help finding addresses, phone numbers, and more.

No Contracts or Cancellation Fees

GreatCall offers cutting-edge medical monitoring services to its customers by doing away with long-term contracts, a unique option for seniors that many companies don't offer. The company also offers a proprietary medical alert device with an equipment fee of $49.99 and monthly plans starting at $19.99. This includes full service including 5Star Urgent Response, GreatCall Link, fall detection, free device replacement, and Urgent Care nurse hotline.

Many medical alert companies make customers pay extra for fall detection and don't include it in the base monthly monitoring fee. With fall detection being one of the most important capabilities to customers, it's great that GreatCall offers it at no extra cost. 

IAED Certified Agents

5Star Urgent Response Service provides easy-to-use and reliable urgent care access to IAED (International Academies of Emergency Dispatch) certified 5Star agents who will confirm the customer’s location, evaluate the situation, and call for the appropriate assistance. Trained in CPR and other emergency procedures, they can assist in any uncertain or unsafe situation, 24 hours a day. Whether a user is lost in an unfamiliar part of town, walking in a parking lot at night, or experiencing a medical issue, 5Star service can help.

Service includes:

• 911 Support and Follow-Up — 5Star Agents can call 911 on your behalf or conference you in.
• Your Personal Profile — The secure information you choose to provide in your personal profile empowers your 5Star Agent with critical details for faster, more personalized assistance.
• Non-Emergency Assistance — The 5Star Agent can contact anyone on your list if you need help that doesn't require emergency services.
• Reliable Nationwide Coverage — It functions anywhere wireless coverage is available.
• Multilingual Support — 5Star Agents can provide translation support for over 100 languages.

Customer Service

GreatCall does not outsource its customer service to third parties. All GreatCall customer service and emergency service agents are based in the United States and receive extensive training. The award-winning, patient customer service team is there to help you with health and safety forms, product and service questions, and anything else you may need from the call center.

Fastest Call Response Time

Users get peace of mind knowing that they have fast access to help as soon as it is needed. By pressing the 5Star Urgent Response button on the medical alert device, a user gets immediate and unlimited access to IAED Certified 5Star agents who will confirm your location, evaluate your situation, and get you the help you need.

• Fees
• Equipment and Activation Fee
• GreatCall Reviews

Fees

GreatCall functions a bit differently than its primary competitors. The company has added equipment fees as well as activation fees for its alert systems, and this even goes for the basic medical alert system. Some customers have complained about the added telecommunication fees appearing on their accounts, which are required by federal law for these kinds of service providers and customers.

However, when averaged over a year of service, Lively Mobile offers the lowest cost monthly mobile service of any other major medical alert available.

Equipment and Activation Fee

GreatCall has an equipment fee as well as an activation fee, while some medical alert providers don't require either. After you purchase your equipment, pay for activation, and cover your monthly fee, you're having to pay quite a bit more than what other competitors typically charge. 

GreatCall Reviews

The majority of GreatCall reviews are 1–2 stars, complaining the company has poor customer service, equipment issues, and expensive prices. Although GreatCall has some positive reviews as well, it's concerning that over half of the reviews are negative. We suggest looking at other top-rated medical alert companies with positive reviews before making your purchasing decision.