RescueTouch
4.8
6.3
Overall Score
Author: Kaitlyn Short
RescueTouch was founded in 2015 by Scott Lepper, a former EMT serving on Virginia Beach EMS who recognized a need for a medical alert system that connects users with family and caregivers first. RescueTouch’s philosophy is that most medical alert situations rarely require emergency services, which typically result in unnecessary medical evaluations and bills. Instead, RescueTouch devices will contact family members first, allowing for assessment of a situation before contacting emergency responders, if needed.
RescueTouch devices are equipped with a variety of features and benefits, such as synced Chit Chat 2-Packs that give couples the ability to communicate directly with each other through their two individual RescueTouch devices. Additionally, RescueTouch devices come in four attractive colors and offer GPS tracking, fall detection, two-way communication, and five-day battery life.
For individuals that don’t have family members living close by, RescueTouch does offer traditional 24/7 professional monitoring, connecting users directly to emergency services. RescueTouch has multiple U.S. based Five Diamond rated monitoring centers, ensuring immediate service and coverage for device users across the country.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Direct-to-Family Medical Alert System
- RescueTouch Service Plans
- RescueTouch Medical Alert Devices
- Optional 24/7 Monitoring
- No Contract Required
- RescueTouch Moneyback Guarantee
Direct-to-Family Medical Alert System
Family Response is an industry breakthrough service not commonly offered by other leading medical alert brands. RescueTouch offers a direct-to-family medical alert system designed to prioritize communication with family and caregivers before engaging emergency services. This approach allows users to connect directly with their loved ones during emergencies, ensuring timely and personalized assistance, while also avoiding potentially unnecessary medical examinations and expenses.
Key features and benefits of RescueTouch’s direct-to-family medical alert system includes the following:
- Family-centered alerts — Users can program their RescueTouch medical alert device to contact up to five family members, friends, or neighbors in emergencies, allowing trusted individuals to assess situations and determine the appropriate response.
- Two-way communication — RescueTouch devices function similarly to a cell phone, enabling direct conversations between the user and their contacts. This feature facilitates immediate support and reassurance during critical moments.
- Family-initiated contact — Family members can initiate calls to a RescueTouch medical alert device, allowing them to check in on their loved ones at any time.
RescueTouch Service Plans
RescueTouch offers three different service plan options that facilitate differing family/caregiver contact needs, ensuring that users can tailor their medical alert system to their specific living situation. Plans differ in price and are charged monthly, requiring no contract for service. RescueTouch offers the following three plans:
- Family Response — An unmonitored plan that connects users directly to their chosen contacts.
- Family Response with Fall Detection — This plan includes all features of the Family Response plan, plus automatic fall detection.
- Chit Chat Twin Pack — Designed for couples or roommates, this plan includes two devices that can communicate directly with each other, in addition to the standard features.
By focusing on direct communication with family and caregivers, RescueTouch provides a personalized and efficient approach to medical alert systems, ensuring that you receive the most appropriate assistance tailored to your needs.
RescueTouch Medical Alert Devices
RescueTouch offers two primary medical alert devices designed to enhance personal safety and ensure immediate communication with family members or emergency services. RescueTouch offers the following two medical alert device options:
RescueTouch Pendant
The RescueTouch Pendant is a compact and lightweight device that is designed to be accessible and easy to wear. The device features one easy-to-find SOS button that allows users to call family members directly or send text alerts, ensuring swift assistance in an emergency. Additionally, the RescueTouch Pendant includes GPS tracking, instant communication capabilities, and automatic fall detection (if included in your chosen service plan), providing peace of mind without the need for 24/7 monitoring.
RescueTouch Watch
The RescueTouch Watch is a sleek, GPS-enabled watch that combines safety with convenience. The watch is designed for active lifestyles, providing around-the-clock protection, and includes a discreet, comfortable design suitable for everyday use. The RescueTouch Watch offers real-time location tracking and one-touch connectivity to family members, ensuring that help is just a touch away even when you’re on the go.
Both the RescueTouch Pendant and RescueTouch Watch include the following customizable features that increase the functionality of your devices, based on your needs and preferences:
- VoiceConnect — The VoiceConnect features allows direct communication through the device with functionality similar to a cell phone.
- Family text alerts — RescueTouch devices can be programmed to send text alerts to family members, friends, or caregivers during emergencies or falls.
- Family initiated contact — Family members can call the RescueTouch device to check in on their loved ones.
- Unlimited range — RescueTouch devices operate from any location and at any time, ensuring continuous protection.
- Durable and showerproof — Lightweight and showerproof design ensures usability in various environments.
By offering two device options with customizable features, RescueTouch provides flexible solutions tailored to individual safety needs, ensuring users remain connected and protected in various situations.
Optional 24/7 Monitoring
While RescueTouch’s devices are primarily designed to first connect users with family members/caregivers instead of emergency responders, the company does provide 24/7 monitoring services that can be added to any device. The option to add 24/7 monitoring could be especially useful for individuals who don’t have family members nearby that could respond quickly in emergency situations.
RescueTouch has multiple U.S.-based Five Diamond rated monitoring centers, ensuring that you can receive immediate emergency services when needed. Thus, instead of contacting a family member first when you press your SOS button on your medical alert device, you will connect with a representative at a RescueTouch monitoring center who will then dispatch emergency responders.
No Contract Required
RescueTouch offers a flexible payment system without long-term contracts, allowing users to cancel their service at any time without penalties. This means that you aren't locked into using the product for several years or a contract buyout.
In addition to no long-term contracts, here are some other key aspects of RescueTouch’s payment system:
- Device purchase — RescueTouch medical alert users are required to purchase their devices upfront, ensuring they receive brand new equipment. Device costs range from $99 for a single device to $178 for twin packs, which include two devices.
- Service plans — RescueTouch offers various service plans with monthly fees ranging from approximately $30 to $75, depending on the selected features.
- Payment options — RescueTouch users can choose to pay for their service on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. Opting for quarterly or annual payments can result in savings ranging from approximately 4%–15%, depending on the plan.
- Cancellation policy — RescueTouch doesn’t charge any cancellation fees, and users can terminate their service at any time. Those who cancel before the end of their prepaid period (quarterly or annual subscribers) are eligible for a refund of up to 80% of their unused balance.
RescueTouch’s payment structure provides users with flexibility and assurance, allowing you to choose the best plan for your needs without the constraints of long-term commitments.
RescueTouch Moneyback Guarantee
RescueTouch provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to return your medical alert device(s) within 30 days of purchase for a full refund if you aren’t satisfied with your device and/or service.
In addition to its moneyback guarantee, RescueTouch offers various discounts that can make medical alert devices and services accessible to more customers. While discounts are subject to change, RescueTouch typically offers a prepayment discount for customers who choose to prepay for their service plans on a quarterly or annual basis. In addition, group discounts are available for certain groups, including AARP members, veterans, first responders, nurses, and individuals with disabilities.
The Bad
- Equipment Fee
- 12-Month Warranty
Equipment Fee
As outlined above, RescueTouch charges an equipment fee for its devices — fees range anywhere from $99 to $180 depending on your chosen device(s). It’s worth noting that many other medical alert system companies charge equipment fees, so this isn’t an uncommon practice in the industry. However, some medical alert companies may offer re-loaned/returned equipment options that will waive any equipment fee.
12-Month Warranty
RescueTouch provides a 12-month warranty on its products. As far as warranties are concerned, a 12-month warranty is not a robust offering. However, not all medical alert companies provide warranties; thus, some protection for your investment may be better than none at all.
The Bottom Line
RescueTouch sets itself apart from other medical alert companies by prioritizing direct-to-family communication instead of immediately contacting emergency responders. RescueTouch’s Family Response system enables users to connect with up to five pre-selected family members, friends, or caregivers before escalating to professional emergency services. For those without nearby support, RescueTouch does offer 24/7 professional monitoring.
RescueTouch offers various service plans, including its unique Chit Chat Twin Pack that allows couples or roommates to communicate directly through synced devices. Devices come with GPS tracking, fall detection (if included in your chosen plan), two-way communication, and a five-day battery life, ensuring users stay connected and protected.
RescueTouch’s pricing model offers flexibility with no long-term contracts, allowing users to cancel anytime without penalties. While customers must purchase their devices upfront, the company provides multiple payment options, including quarterly and annual prepayment discounts. Additionally, a 30-day money-back guarantee and group discounts for AARP members, veterans, and first responders make the service more accessible. Unlike many competitors, RescueTouch gives families the ability to manage medical emergencies on their terms while still providing a professional monitoring option when needed.
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tim Burke Ocala, FL
2 years ago Edited July 7, 2022
Reply from RescueTouch
This is Scott, the owner of Florida Telehealth (formerly RescueTouch). I've been thinking about how best to respond to Tim's review for a couple weeks now. I think it's best to respond in a way that is beneficial to all of you who are dealing with the challenges of aging or an aging parent and looking for an alert company to assist with the challenges. You, I, and Tim are all in that club.
If you are reading this, most likely you or someone in your life is above the age of 70 and could use a hotline to help from time to time. I have three such people in my personal life at ages 79, 83, and 100. In my professional role with Florida Telehealth and former role as EMT with Virginia Beach EMS, I have another 5000+ ranging in age from 40 to 100+. From my conversations with Tim's father, I anticipate Tim’s father is 85. While some certainly handle the challenges of this club better than others, it's not easy being in this club, is it?
Time to address concerns Tim expresses in his review. In general, Tim's review is based on significantly limited facts, and is also deceptive. That limits the validity of his review. Of course you, the audience, wouldn't know that until you hear the other side of the story.
As you read in Tim's review, he cannot confirm that I did not troubleshoot his concern that the battery was draining faster than expected. The reason is, Tim and I never communicated again after our initial conversation. It was during that conversation that Tim continuously conveyed that he knows more about troubleshooting a medical alert account than I. When he couldn't influence me to just ship-out another system without troubleshooting the entire situation he became frustrated and we agreed that it's best if I work directly with his dad. Tim gave me his dad's phone number and Tim and I never communicated again. Tim leaves that unsaid. Tim is also being deceptive with his statement about their Georgia farm. Tim writes that statement in the first person, as if he was speaking directly with me. He wasn't. He got that information third-party from his dad, and he doesn't include other relevant information his dad and I discussed.
I did immediately contact Tim's dad. His dad is a kind grandfather-like gentleman who I enjoyed working with. Together we agreed to troubleshoot the device over several days so I could remotely monitor the battery drain. He agreed to charge it up to 100% and then not charge it again while I monitor the battery status. During this conversation there was something specific that Tim's dad said that raised a red flag. He said he was experiencing either Covid fog or Covid brain. I cannot recall which term he used. To me that signals he understands his neurological performance is struggling, whether Covid or age related.
Important Note: When I'm troubleshooting an account, it's not only the device that I evaluate. Because of our older clientele, I also evaluate the wearer's ability to manage the system. It's not uncommon that neurological slowdown is the reason behind the service concern. While troubleshooting, I also evaluate the cell signal strength at the client's location. It's not uncommon for weak cell signal to be the reason behind the service concern. There are other aspects I evaluate, but those two are the reasons for 90% of our service concerns.
Ok, back on track with troubleshooting Tim's dad's service concern. I started the troubleshooting the afternoon of May 27th. Here are the battery life numbers.
May 27th at 2:15pm - 100%
May 28th at 5:24am - 81%
May 29th at 1:16pm - 77%
May 29th at 6:01pm - 100% (Tim's dad must have mistakenly charged the device while we were troubleshooting it.)
May 30th at 9:26am - 80%
After that I was unable to connect with his device. I attempted to contact Tim’s dad but was unable to do so. I attempted to reach Tim, but his voicemail was full. We lost touch for 3-4 weeks. When we finally spoke again, Tim's dad said he and Tim had been to their farm in Georgia. I stated that during the limited time I was able to troubleshoot his device, I recognized that he has significantly weak cell signal at his home in Florida. He explained that his home is in a somewhat rural area in Central Florida. That was great news because his home is less than 20 minutes from our location in The Villages, FL. I told him about the weak cell signal and inconsistent battery life readings and that I really wanted to get his device into a stable environment where I could retest it and make recommendations after that. He agreed that I could drive over to his home, meet him in person, shake his hand, and retrieve the device. He said the only problem with the plan is that the system is still at their Georgia farm. He said Tim had rushed him out of Georgia and the device got left behind. He agreed to contact me when he had retrieved the device from Georgia.
About a month later, our admin department received two voice messages 30 minutes apart from Tim's dad. The voice messages were left in the evening and forwarded to me. I called Tim's dad early the next morning. His dad did not remember leaving the back-to-back messages the night before and said it must have been Tim. It wasn't Tim. It was Tim's dad's voice, calling from Tim's dad's phone number, requesting a return call. At that moment, it was confirmed to me that Tim's dad was struggling with neurological decline. That’s sad news to confirm. I really like Tim's dad and was looking forward to meeting him. During that conversation we agreed there were too many significant hurdles to overcome to continue with his service. I refunded his last quarterly payment of $126 and Tim's dad and I said our gentlemanly goodbyes.
Literally 30 seconds later, I received notice from Bestcompany that Tim had left his factually limited and somewhat deceptive review. I called Tim to discuss my findings and address his and my concerns. Tim's voicemail was full. Yes, again. I sent him a text to call me, but have not heard from Tim.
In conclusion, during the limited troubleshooting I was able to do before they took the system off the grid and to their Georgia farm, the battery life showed to only drop from 100% to 77% in two days. That is certainly within the 5-day expected battery life. The customer breached our service agreement by not making the system fully available for a thorough troubleshooting of their concern. There is no indication that the customer ever read the user guide or tested the system at their rural home in Florida or their Georgia farm. From my limited troubleshooting, I conclude that the cell signal at their rural Florida home is too weak to reliably connect the device to the cell towers. I expect we would have been able to improve that by switching to our other cellular provider. I conclude that the cell signal at their Georgia farm was little to none. That without a commercial level cell signal booster there simply would not be enough signal strength to ever connect the device with the cellular grid. I conclude that there was two distinctly different customers on this one account. One Tim, and one his dad. I conclude that Tim is trying to do the best he can, but is on unfamiliar ground with his care of an aging parent. As I've stated before, I really like Tim's dad. I'm disappointed I won't be able to continue to assist him. He's 5-Stars!
If you're looking for the level of personal attention and healthcare knowledge I convey in this response, and my other customers describe in their reviews, you're invited to reach me at 800-888-7565.
Sincerely,
Scott A. Lepper
Founder, CEO
Florida Telehealth, LLC
Aug. 25th, 2022
