Surveys consistently show that older Americans prefer to stay at home as they age. The family home provides comfort, familiar surroundings and independence. However, as they age, seniors may need to make modifications to their homes to be able to move around easily and enjoy life safely. A medical alert system is one such modification. These devices give seniors and their families peace of mind knowing that help is close at hand. In an emergency, medical alert systems allow users to contact help at the press of a button. The button is generally worn as a pendant or wristband that connects to a base station. The base station calls the customer service center, letting operators talk with users and determine what the emergency is and if further help is required.

There are many things to consider when choosing a medical alert system, including a company’s experience, operators and technology. ResponseLINK has plenty of experience in the industry, as it’s been providing medical alert services for more than 30 years. It has several different systems on offer, so seniors can find an option with the features that suit their lives. The company also takes pride in the quality of its customer service. Its US-based call centers are TMA Diamond Certified and have quick response times and EMT-certified operators. This helps ResponseLINK provide high-quality support that helps keep seniors safe around the clock.

ResponseLINK’s Best Features

ResponseLINK has three different medical alert systems available. The first system is the In-Home Alert System. This is a traditional medical alert system, with an emergency button and a base station that plugs into a landline. The button has a large range, and seniors can be up to 600 feet away and still connect to the base station. In the event of a power outage, the base station has 24 hours’ worth of battery backup. In addition, seniors can program reminders into the base station. This means it can be set to beep when the user needs to take medication.

The Fall Detection Medical Alert System uses the same base station as the In-Home Alert System. This means it also comes with a 600-foot range and 24 hours of battery backup. The difference in the two systems is the pendant. The fall detection pendant has built-in sensors that can detect sudden changes of movement that may indicate a fall. If a fall is detected, the pendant alerts an operator who will call to see if the senior needs assistance. If there’s no answer, operators send help to the house. ResponseLINK claims their device is the smallest fall detection button on the market.

Both the in-home and fall detection pendants have 3-5 years of battery life and come with an autocheck feature for the battery. They’re also 100% waterproof, letting seniors receive help, even when showering.

The final option from ResponseLINK is the Mobile Alert System. This device connects through Verizon wireless networks, making it a good choice for seniors who don’t have a landline. The Mobile Alert System is completely portable, so it can aid users no matter where they are. Active seniors may appreciate being able to call for help when driving, shopping or playing golf. The devices use 911 location technology, so operators know where to send help. The Mobile Alert System has two-way speaker capability, so operators and users can communicate directly through the device. ResponseLINK’s mobile alert device is smaller than similar items on the market, and the battery can last up to 30 days on a single charge.

ResponseLINK also has a fully staffed emergency operator center. There are EMT-certified staff, and the center is multilingual, so seniors who speak a language other than English can still talk to an operator. The company puts no limits on the number of times customers can press the button, which means seniors can feel comfortable pressing the button even if they only have a question. In an emergency, operators will stay on the line until help arrives.

The company allows users to customize how operators respond to their calls. Some customers prefer that operators immediately dial 911. Others ask ResponseLINK to contact a nearby friend or family member and ask them to provide aid. Either way, the advanced training needed for EMT certification means that operators understand how to communicate with people who are in distress and can offer superior advice.

Feature


In-Home System


Mobile Alert System


Fall Detection System

Button Range


600 feet


N/A


600 feet

Battery Life


3-5 years


up to 30 days


3-5 years

Base Station Battery Backup


24 hours


N/A


24 hours

Two-Way Audio Speaker


No


Yes


No

Requires Phone Line?


Yes


No


Yes

Auto Check Feature


Yes


No


Yes

Response Time


30-60 seconds


30-60 seconds


30-60 seconds

24/7 Monitoring


Yes


Yes


Yes

EMT-Certified Staff


Yes


Yes


Yes

Multilingual Operators


Yes


Yes


Yes

Unlimited Button Pushes


Yes


Yes


Yes

The Cost of ResponseLINK Plans

Customers can pay for ResponseLINK’s service on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis, with the price per month decreasing on the quarterly and annual plans. There are no equipment costs, and standard shipping is free. When paid for annually, the In-Home Alert System is less than $20 a month, making it the most affordable option. The extra features in the Fall Detection and Mobile Alert devices increase the price for these systems.

Type of System


Paid Monthly


Paid Quarterly


Paid Annually

In-Home Alert System


$28.95


$77.85 ($25.95 p/month)


$239.40 ($19.94 p/month)

Fall Detection Medical Alert System


$39.95


$110.85 ($36.95 p/month)


$371.40 ($30.95 p/month)

Mobile Alert System


$45.95


$128.85 ($42.95 p/month)


$443.40 ($36.95 p/month)

There’s a 30-day money back guarantee on ResponseLINK devices. Seniors must return equipment at their own cost before it’s processed. Customers also have the security of knowing there are no long-term contracts, so if circumstances change, seniors can easily cancel. Customers can refer family and friends to the services and receive one month free through ResponseLINK’s referral offer.

The Pros and Cons of a ResponseLINK System

Pros

The main benefit to using a ResponseLINK device is the customer service team. Operators have EMT certification, which gives them a deeper understanding of emergency situations. They can also keep callers calm and give information about possible injuries to emergency responders. Seniors who are more comfortable with a language other than English can speak to skilled operators, as the centers are multilingual.

ResponseLINK’s devices also have benefits. Its pendants tend to be smaller than other devices on the market with similar features. This encourages seniors to wear them regularly, so they’re on hand if needed. In-home and fall-detection devices have waterproofing, which allows seniors to wear them in the shower, so customers can call for help from every room in the house.

The company has options that suit many people’s needs, including fall detection, portable devices and systems for people without landlines. The Mobile Alarm System is also self-testing, so users don’t have to remember to test the device.

Cons

There are some cons to ResponseLINK systems. In-home and fall-detection pendants check batteries automatically but don’t test the device. Seniors must remember to test the system monthly, although operators will call to remind users who forget.

Features such as smoke and carbon monoxide detection are starting to enter the medical alert system market. Activity monitoring is also becoming a popular option. These devices use sensors that notice when seniors stop moving for a long period of time and alert operators who can perform a wellness check. ResponseLINK doesn’t offer these features, so seniors interested in them may need to look for a different provider.

The Mobile Alert System has two drawbacks. Firstly, there’s no pill reminder. This feature is particularly helpful for seniors who have to take medications regularly. Secondly, there’s no GPS feature. Most mobile alert devices use a GPS system that pinpoints a senior’s location when they call for help. Although ResponseLINK’s devices have geolocation, this works in tandem with 911. There are some indications that these systems are not as accurate as GPS.

ResponseLINK Compared with Top Medical Alert Systems

Overview Of The Top Recommended Medical Alert Systems
Best for Customer Service
Bay Alarm Medical
  • Starts at $19.95
  • In-Home, Mobile GPS, & Smartwatch Options
  • Free Shipping + Free Month on Select Plans
See Packages → Read Our Review →
Most Affordable In-Home System
MobileHelp
  • Starts at $19.95
  • Free Lock Box
  • No Landline Required
See Packages → Read Our Review →
Best for Seniors Who Don’t Want to Wear a Pendant
Aloe Care
  • Starts at $24.99 monthly + one-time equipment fee
  • In-home and mobile devices available
  • Hands-free system with motion detection
See Packages → Read Our Review →
Editor’s Choice
Medical Guardian
  • Starts at $29.95
  • Free Shipping & Lock Box
  • Caring.com Special: 1 Month Free
See Packages → Read Our Review →
Best Value
MedicalAlert
  • Starts at $18.28
  • Up to 800 Feet of Range
  • Starting Fee as Low as $0
See Packages → Read Our Review →
Best Standalone Mobile App
LifeFone
  • Starts at $20.79
  • Up to 1,300 Feet of Range
  • Starting Fee as Low as $0
See Packages → Read Our Review →
Best Hands-Free System
GetSafe
  • Starts at $24.95
  • 1,000 Feet of Range
  • Monthly Fall Detection At Just $10/mo
See Packages → Read Our Review →
MedicalCareAlert
  • Starts at $29.95
  • Up to 1,000 Feet of Range
  • Monthly Fall Detection At Just $10/mo
See Packages → Read Our Review →
ResponseNow
  • Starts at $29.95
  • Up to 500 feet of range
  • No Intial Fees
See Packages → Read Our Review →
Lifenet
  • Starts at $29.95
  • Up to 1,000 feet of range
  • Free fall detection for mobile device
See Packages → Read Our Review →