LifeStation Review Summary
LifeStation has easy to use-flexible equipment and medical monitoring options and great customer support. Showing their commitment to higher standards, LifeStation only uses modern state-of-the-art UL-Listed equipment, and their monitoring center is TMA 5 Diamond Certified. LifeStation’s marketing boosts no long-term contracts, and you can cancel anytime.
LifeStation Pros
No equipment or set-up charge options, no long-term contact, 24/7 technical support, TMA Five Diamond UL Listed redundant Monitoring Centers in NJ & TX, automatic weekly tests of the console to the central monitoring station, no phone line option and Mobile with GPS options for protection on the go, fall detection option, and competitive pricing options with many discounts available, including free shipping.
LifeStation Cons
No pill reminder, smoke detector, or carbon monoxide options. They do not offer professional installation although they market on their website a 5-minute self-install (most medical alert systems do not require professional installation). LifeStation does not offer activity monitoring at this time.
Rating
Who is LifeStation?
LifeStation is a family-owned, privately held company that was started in 1977. LifeStation medical alert is headquartered in Union, NJ where their offices and 80,000 square foot central monitoring center are located. They also have a secondary call center in Houston, TX. Per Glassdoor.com they have an estimated 51-200 employees and their job culture is positive overall. LifeStation works directly with consumers in addition to hospitals, healthcare, and government agencies. With over 40 years of medical alert industry service, LifeStation is a major competitor in the medical alert and telehealth market. They emphasize encouraging seniors to age in place in the comfort of their own homes. The use of their caregiver tools, helps caregivers to have greater peace of mind and work-life balance.
LifeStation Products
LifeStation's medical alert has four system offerings to choose from and a few of those options comes in the Standard, Select, and Supreme versions:
1. At Home:In-home emergency alert coverage that does not require a landline. This is their most popular medical alert system. The base station range is approximately 500 feet, which is equivalent to two football fields. It can even be worn just outside the home, in places like the front porch or garden. The pendant is lightweight, weighing less than ½ ounce and it has a loudspeaker built into the base station. The pendant is also waterproof and can be worn in the shower. With a push of a button, emergency responders can be on their way in minutes. This system uses AT&T’s 4G LTE cellular network so be sure you have good coverage in your area. Since AT&T is the nation’s largest service provider, its reliable network will allow for coverage almost anywhere in the United States.
Who needs this system?
Anyone wanting to age-in-place longer and is not super active outside of the home.
2. Sidekick Mobile Medical Alert: The new Sidekick Mobile Medical Alert is a lightweight on-the-go pendant that is also water-resistant. It gives you access to emergency help even if you are not home. The compact button comes with a built-in speaker and runs off of the AT&T 4G LTE network. Sidekick Mobile Medical Alert offers GPS and WiFi for more accurate location services. The button has a red-light indicator that will let you know when the device needs to be charged. It also comes with a test button which LifeStation recommends you use to test your system monthly. This on-the-go device also comes with automatic fall detection.
Who needs this system?
If you are live a busy lifestyle in and outside of the home and also need automatic fall detection, this device could be for you.
3. Sidekick Smart Wearable Watch Medical Alert: The Sidekick Smart Wearable Watch is a great solution for those who do not want to wear a medical alert pendant. The Sidekick Smart Wearable watch not only provides medical alert protection, but it serves as a fitness tracking device, tracking steps and monitoring heart rate as well as a built-in weather monitor. When help is needed, the user simply presses a button on the side of the watch and speaks directly into the watch, and the monitoring center will assess the emergency situation and send the appropriate help. The Sidekick Smart is also water-resistant and can be worn in the shower. This device also combines GPS and WiFi for accurate location tracking. It can pinpoint your loved one's location with good accuracy. This smartwatch does not include automatic fall detection.
Who needs this system?
Active, on-the-go seniors who like the additional features such as fitness tracking.
4. LifeStation Luxury: Get the protection of a medical alert pendant with a discreet, jewelry-like pendant. The pendant is made of a 30” brass chain and comes with a lapis blue resin stone. It only weighs 2.1 ounces so it is lightweight and stylish. It is Bluetooth enabled so when the button is pushed, it works with your mobile phone to call for help.
Additional Optional Services:
Fall Detection: Available add-on with all systems expect the Sidekick Smart Wearable Watch, to help detect a fall automatically. If the monitoring center detects a fall, they will contact your loved one right away and if they cannot get a hold of them, they will dispatch emergency services.
Mobile medical alert options include: Find My Loved One, LifeStation on Amazon Alexa* and Uber Health which will let LifeStation coordinate an Uber for your next doctor's appointment. They will stay on the line until your driver arrives too.
They recently added an option called PAPA Pals to help alleviate senior isolation and loneliness. For a small fee per month, you will have access to companionship from a vetted professional that can help with tasks such as grocery shopping, doctor’s appointments, and more.
*Monitor your loved one’s account with LifeStation on Amazon Alexa. Simply download the LifeStation Alexa Skill with the Alexa mobile app, your Echo or Amazon’s website. Follow the instructions and start using the skill right away.
How LifeStation Works
Depending on the system you choose, you will have either a wearable button or a smart watch device. Once the button is pushed or a fall is detected on the wearable button, a signal will be sent to LifeStation’s monitoring centers where a trained emergency response staff member will assess your situation and can call for help. They will also call a loved one you have on file.
LifeStation Key Features
• No-Long term contracts
• No landline cellular option
• Sidekick Smart Wearable Watch with enhanced GPS tracking
• Fashionable wearable options
• TMA Five Diamond certified monitoring centers
• Multiple payment options
• Long battery life
• Free shipping
LifeStation Costs & Fees
Cost For Equipment | Cost Per Month | Monitoring Agreement Term | Repairs or Replacement Charges | Ordering & Shipping |
---|---|---|---|---|
Free equipment and free shipping if you choose quarterly or annual payments. Simple 5-minute self-installation. Keep in mind a few options will have an activation fee which is outlined below. | Plans start as low as $34.95 per month | Month-to-month. Can cancel anytime with 30 day advance notice. LifeStation also offers a 30-day money back guarantee for any system and payment plan. | None, replacements shipped. Select & Supreme packages come with their Protection Plan which covers damaged or lost equipment. Without the plan, it's about $34.95 for a new button and about $300 for a new base station. Or you can purchase the protection plan separately for $5.00 per month. | Orders Received by 3:00PM EST are Shipped the Same Day |
LifeStation has competitive medical alert pricing. With plans starting as low as $34.95 and no long-term contracts, they make it affordable for most to try. LifeStation systems come in three different payment options: Monthly, Quarterly and Annually for their In-Home system. All of LifeStation’s systems ship for free if you choose the quarterly or annual payment options, otherwise the cost is $12.50 for shipping. There is no cost for equipment for most plans but some systems do have an activation fee (see the chart below). For their Mobile systems, there are 3 package options: Standard, Select, and Premium. The Select package adds their equipment Protection Plan and the Supreme adds the Protection Plan along with Fall Detection. Keep in mind that if you want fall detection you need to go with their Supreme package and pay a slightly higher monthly price.
LifeStation used to offer discounts for advance payments but now you get a few perks instead. If you choose to pay quarterly you will receive free shipping. If you pay annually, you will get free shipping and a free month of service.
For the Standard plan, the Sidekick Mobile Alert has a one-time activation fee of $49.95. The Select and Supreme At-home options come with free activation.
At-Home | Sidekick Mobile Standard Package | Sidekick Mobile Select Package | Sidekick Mobile Supreme Package | Sidekick Smart Wearable Smartwatch | LifeStation Luxury |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$34.95 Per Month | $39.95 Per Month | $43.95 Per Month | $49.95 Per Month | $46.95 Per Month | $43.95 Per Month |
$0 Activation Fee | $94.95 Activation Fee | $99.95 Activation Fee | $99.95 Activation Fee | $99.95 Activation Fee | $0 Activation Fee |
Cancellation Policy & Discounts
Cancel at Any Time | Senior Discount | Advance Payment Discounts | Other Discounts |
---|---|---|---|
Yes. LifeStation also offers a 30-day money back guarantee for any system and payment plan. On systems returned after the 30-day money back guarantee period - The monthly charge may be refunded on systems returned within 7 days of the last monthly charge date. Customers who pay quarterly or annually do NOT receive refunds for prepaid services. | AARP discount of $2.00/month & veterans receive the discounted annual rate even when paying monthly. Can only use one discount at a time. | No | No |
Equipment Features
Approximate Button Range in Typical Home | Watch Pendant Button Battery Life | What Happens if I Lose Power | Watch Pendant Waterproof | How Can The Button Be Worn | UL Certified Equipment | Technical & Customer Support |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alert pendant has up to a 650 ft. radius | Lithium battery will last up to 4 years with normal operation. Sends signal when low. The Mobile GPS system can go 5 days without needing a charge. | At Home system has battery backup | Yes | Neck or wrist. Choose when ordering. | Yes | Yes |
Monitoring Center
TMA Five Diamond Certified Monitoring Center | Typical Response Once is Button Pressed | Automatic Test Signals Sent |
---|---|---|
Yes. LifeStation operates their own TMA Five Diamond UL-Listed monitoring centers located in Houston, TX and Union, NJ. These monitoring centers are geographically separated and networked to provide redundancy in the event of a failure or natural disaster. | Response time is approximately 20 seconds. | Weekly |
Fall Detection, GPS, & Cellular Options
Activity or Inactivity Monitoring | Senior Fall Detection | Cellular or No Phone Line | Smoke or Carbon Monoxide Protection | GPS Medical Alert Tracking System | Separate Systems Needed For Mom & Dad |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No. $3.95/month for an additional button |
What We Like About LifeStation
Information Easy To Obtain - If you can't find the information you need on their website, try calling Lifestation's toll-free number and speaking with their sales representatives. They will provide helpful, friendly assistance without any pressure to purchase.
Easy Installation & Set-Up - Simple 5-minute installation of the in-home base unit (see our Basic Installation & Set-Up video) with the ability to wear your button as either a wristband or necklace.
Highly-Trained Personnel at its Own Monitoring Facility - LifeStation's company-owned, state-of-the-art, UL Listed TMA Certified Five Diamond monitoring centers (TX and NJ) are geographically separated and networked to provide redundancy in the event of a failure or natural disaster and provide its personnel with 160 hours of formal classroom training with mandatory examinations given at the end of each 40-hour segment. This 160 hour period is followed by an additional 80 hours of classroom and practical application training. After the initial six-week (240 hours) period, performance reviews are performed on a weekly basis for the first 3 months and in regular intervals after that.
Two Care Specialists on Each Emergency Call - If EMS needs to be contacted, one care specialist will remain on the phone with your loved one until help arrives, while the other contacts EMS and family members.
Fall Detector Option - If your loved one was to suffer a fall and was unable to press their button, the automatic fall detection feature would trigger and send a call into the monitoring center for you. LifeStation offers this as an add-on service to their At-Home system and it comes built into their Mobile with GPS option.
Automatic Weekly Tests - System's base console will automatically test weekly to the monitoring station. Many companies offer a monthly test, while others offer no automatic testing at all. Weekly testing is ideal as it will give you peace of mind that your system is working and does not have a malfunction.
No Phone Line Option - If you don't have a traditional telephone line in your home, then you can add the cellular medical alert option to your system. No phone line is required and the cost per month is only slightly higher than the landline system option. You must have AT&T network coverage in your area to take advantage of the cellular option. Since AT&T is one of the largest carriers in the United States this should not be a problem for most.
Enhanced Mobile with GPS Option - LifeStation's Enhanced mobile with GPS helps identify your location in the event of an emergency for even more protection while on the go. The mobile GPS device can go 5 days between charges. The button is water-proof and has a built-in speaker which makes it extremely easy to communicate with the monitoring center. This feature also includes automatic fall detection. The Sidekick Smart Wearable watch also has enhanced GPS location detection.
Find My Loved One - Exclusive feature that's part of LifeStation's Mobile Medical Alert option. Once Find My Loved One is enabled on your Mobile Medical Alert system, anyone on the emergency contact list can text the word “Find” and the first name of your loved one to a special phone number. The Find My Loved One service will then use GPS and WiFi location information to locate the Mobile Medical Alert. Then, a text message reply is sent back with the address and a link to view the location on a map. You can also download the LifeStation Alexa skill to your Amazon Echo, Alexa app, or Amazon website to monitor your loved one from wherever you are.
Cancel at Any Time Policy - If you are not happy with your LifeStation system or service, they will cancel your service with a simple 30-day notice, but you must return the equipment. See cancellation policy above.
Referral Program - Do you know someone else who might benefit from a medical alert system? Refer a friend or family member to LifeStation and both parties receive a $25.00 American Express gift card after activation. There are no limits to the number of referrals either.
Multiple Payment Options - Besides credit card payments, LifeStation also offers Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) as a payment option, which is not only convenient but a safe way to pay and ensure uninterrupted service.
What We Dislike About LifeStation
More Information Needed on Advanced Services - Prefer website to have more detailed information on some of their advanced systems, although the information was easily obtained by phone.
No Pill Reminder Option - Having the system remind you of when to take medication is a nice feature, although not required by all. Many of these services have the main unit console provide some sort of beep reminder at regular intervals to remind you of when to take your medication. The downside to this option is that it will not tell you what or how much medication to take.
No Smoke Detector or Carbon Monoxide Options - Most medical alert providers don't offer these services, but some do. These options allow the medical alert company to monitor smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at the monitoring station. Although expensive, it may provide additional peace of mind.
No Activity Monitoring- LifeStation had previously offered "inactivity" monitoring for many years, but currently does not. There are many advanced technologies in the activity monitoring space. Some medical alert companies offer bed, door sensors, and motion sensors to detect if your aging loved one is up and active each day. LifeStation does not carry this advanced feature.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to sign a long-term contract?
No, LifeStation does not require long-term contracts.
What if I’m not absolutely happy with my LifeStation senior alert system?
LifeStation offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Call LifeStation’s customer service anytime to cancel.
Do I need a landline to use LifeStation’s medical alert device?
No, LifeStation has a cellular in-home system option and a mobile option too.
How do I cancel LifeStation?
When you are ready to cancel, simply call their customer service phone number and they will send return instructions to send back the equipment.
How much is LifeStation per month?
LifeStation starts at $32.95 per month and their system options go up from there. Please refer to our Monthly Costs & Fees section for a detailed breakdown of LifeStation’s cost.
How often do I get billed for my medical alert?
There are several options for billing, you can choose between monthly, quarterly or annual payment plans.
What medical alert equipment do I need?
It depends on your needs and lifestyle. LifeStation’s medical alert experts can walk you through which system is best for you.
Can I take my medical alert system with me if I move?
Yes. If you move within the 50 U.S. states or Puerto Rico, you can be covered. Call their toll-free number at 800-998-2400 to provide them with your new service address.
I want LifeStation for my mom and dad who live together. Do I pay two monitoring fees?
No. You will only pay for one monitoring fee if they are in the same household and an additional $3.99 per month for an extra help button.
How will emergency responders get into my home if I fall and can’t get up?
In addition to calling for emergency response, LifeStation can also call your loved ones who may be able to help open your door. We also suggest having a lock box for emergency response if this is a concern.
What is the average response time after I press my help button?
The average response time is approximately 20 seconds to hear a live voice for help. LifeStation suggests doing monthly tests to see how quick their response times are.
Does LifeStation have fall detection?
Yes, it's available with some of their mobile and at-home system for $10.00 per month.
What People Are Saying About LifeStation
We searched the web for non-biased LifeStation complaints and reviews. One review on BBB.org mentions a complaint where his mother passed away and they couldn’t find the equipment to send back to LifeStation when they cancelled. LifeStation wanted to charge $350 for the lost equipment in order to cancel the service. This is an important reminder to keep track of your loved one’s equipment in the event you would like to cancel service. It’s also important to note that LifeStation did refund the fee to the customer and satisfied this BBB complaint.
Other issues seem to be callers being offered a special and then asked for their credit card information to keep the special on “hold.” If they did not call back within 7 days, they were charged, and the “hold” was turned into an “order.” When you call LifeStation, you will most likely be asked for personal contact information for future follow-up by phone or email. Do not accept this hold deal unless you plan to follow-up within 7 days or you may be charged for the service.
We did not see any complaints with LifeStation’s response times or company owned and operated TMA 5-diamond monitoring services. Having LifeStation operating their own monitoring centers is a big plus for quality control.
LifeStation is a Better Business Bureau accredited business and they have an A+ rating with 35 customer complaints on file at the time of this review.
LifeStation Compared To Bay Alarm Medical
Bay Alarm charges equipment fees where LifeStation does not. However, Lifestation does have a slightly higher monthly fee. The cost savings of Bay Alarm Medical though could be greater over time. Both companies are well established with A+ Better Business Bureau ratings and good reviews. Bay Alarm and LifeStation both have smart watch medical alert devices. A big bonus is that both companies use TMA 5 Diamond Certified monitoring centers and LifeStation has two that are company owned and operated. Since both have automatic system testing and no long-term contracts, we think they are each great options!
Do We Suggest LifeStation?
LifeStation has well-rounded medical alert options and has been providing medical alert monitoring services for many years. They were one of the first medical alert devices to offer online ordering (but unfortunately don't currently offer it anymore) and they also operate their own TMA 5-Diamond redundant monitoring centers. Medical Alert Advice rates TMA 5-Diamond Certified centers high on our list of recommendations because of the level of service, training offered, and they ensure the medical alert company is living up to a list of industry standards. We especially like when companies operate their own 5-diamond monitoring centers and have redundant centers as well.
All in all, LifeStation has more pros than cons. They offer most of the essential medical alert monitoring system options you would want including GPS and fall detection technologies. They are also staying up-to-date with current technologies by offering the Sidekick Mobile Medical Alert and the Sidekick Wearable Smartwatch. They offer affordable competitive pricing, advanced discounts, free shipping as well as no-long term contracts. Please note, their on-the-go options do have an activation fee no matter which package option you choose. This makes LifeStation an easy choice to try out its medical alert services. LifeStation could benefit by offering carbon monoxide and smoke detection monitoring, activity monitoring, and medication management options in the future.
LifeStation’s website is clear-cut and easy to navigate. It would be nice if they included a chat feature on their website. The customer service representatives are forthcoming with information to help you make an informed and educated purchase, however, we had one experience with a rep that spoke very fast and was eager to send out promotional materials.
If you read other reviews, such as Medical Guardian consumer reviews, you may see that overall, LifeStation is a great option for a medical alert monitoring system for your aging loved one. They also make it easy for you to give them a try.
Although our experience with this company had these results, your experience may be different. If you're interested in this company's services, contact them to judge for yourself.
*LifeStation logo is a registered trademark of LifeStation, Inc.