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A Guide to Lively Cell Phones for Seniors
Date Updated: July 28, 2025
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
Lively is a popular manufacturer of cell phones for seniors that also offers a range of senior-friendly, affordable calling plans operating on the Verizon network. The company produces the Jitterbug family of cell phones, which includes devices such as the Jitterbug Flip 2, a flip phone that’s easy to use and comes with a medical alert system. Lively’s range is aimed at seniors who struggle with more traditional smartphones.
Lively is strongly positioned as one of the best cell phone providers for seniors thanks to its robust, senior-friendly hardware range and the fact it provides its own cell phone plans priced with seniors and their usage habits in mind.
Pros and Cons of Lively Phones
- Uses the Verizon network for good coverage
- Affordable pricing
- Has its own senior-friendly hardware
- Devices include built-in medical alert systems
- The Flip2 is a very limited phone
- No data plan on some packages
- Lively doesn't offer options for Android/iOS users
- The medical alert system lacks fall detection capability
Plans Offered by Lively
Lively offers a selection of cell phone plans that ranges from low-cost plans covering calls and texts only to plans that include medical alerts, monitoring and operators. Seniors can add data plans if desired, with options ranging from 100MB for $2.49 per month to an unlimited data add-on for $30 per month. Add-on plans must be added to the calling/text messaging plan, and Lively has no minimum contract period. The data plans are designed for the Smart3, but can be used with the Flip2 if desired.
|
|
Monthly Cost |
Service Period |
Features |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Value Talk And Text |
$14.99 + 10c per text |
No contract |
300 Minutes, fee per text |
|
Unlimited Talk and Text |
$19.99 |
No contract |
Unlimited minutes and texts |
|
100MB Data Add-on |
$2.49 |
No contract |
Data add-on (monthly) |
|
Unlimited Data Add-on |
$30 |
No contract |
Data add-on (monthly) |
|
Ultimate Health and Safety Package |
$34.99 |
No contract |
Monitoring, Urgent Care / Urgent Response and Personal Operator |
Lively Features
Lively offers services and features that might appeal to seniors, including affordable plans, U.S. based customer service, easy-to-use phones designed with seniors in mind, and medical monitoring services. Unlike mainstream carriers, the whole package is designed for older adults.
U.S. Based Customer Service
It’s easy to get support for Lively’s phones and calling plans, because the customer support center is based in the United States. Seniors can call the company for help with everything from account issues to getting support with the phones themselves.
Senior-Friendly Devices
Lively makes two phones specifically for seniors. The Flip 2 is a simple flip phone with a number pad and a large display. This phone is designed for calling and texting, but it does have some limited internet connectivity. The Smart3 is a more smartphone-like device that is aimed at more tech-savvy seniors, but it still offers a large, clear display and more streamlined features.
Medical Monitoring Options
Seniors can choose from safety packages that offer access to a personal operator and emergency response line. These packages give seniors peace of mind that in the event of an emergency, all they have to do is push a button and they’ll be connected to someone who can help them. Having access to these packages and a calling plan from the same provider keeps managing monthly bills simple.
Affordable Plans With No Minimum Contract
Lively’s devices are affordably priced, as are their calling plans. The plans are tiered, with the most affordable options good for seniors who don’t want to make a lot of calls or use the internet on their phone. The unlimited plans are competitively priced, and adding data doesn’t have to cost a lot, either. In addition, there’s no minimum contract period, so seniors can leave the service or swap tiers on their plans at any time.
How Much Does a Lively Cell Phone Cost?
Lively offers a selection of cell phones. The Jitterbug Flip 2 costs just $99.99, while the Smart3 costs $149.99. Both devices are an affordable option compared to modern smartphones. The inclusion of medical alert features with the Flip 2 and the lack of online data may make it an appealing choice for those who are worried about a senior accidentally running up a bill either through excessive data use or through getting scammed when using online services.
Buying a Lively Cell Phone
Seniors can purchase a Lively Cell Phone or wearable from bricks-and-mortar retailers such as Walgreens, Rite Aid and Best Buy. The phones can also be purchased online from Amazon or directly from Lively itself. The Lively website features a store finder that helps seniors search for retailers in their city that stock the phone or wearable they’re looking for.
Lively Warranties
Lively’s basic warranty is a one-year limited warranty. Seniors have the option of taking out the Lively Protection Plan, which extends and enhances the standard limited warranty, giving seniors peace of mind that if their device develops a fault, it’s covered. In addition to the warranty, those who are on a qualifying plan can call a personal operator number for day-to-day advice and support.