Livewell Alert review

Livewell Alert is a good medical alert service. It's just not great

Livewell Alert review of medical alert system for seniors
The Numera Libris mobile device is Livewell Alerts best medical alert system.
(Image: © Future)

TechRadar Verdict

While Livewell Alert offers competitive pricing and performs decently in our tests, making it a suitable choice for both in-home and mobile systems, it does not surpass expectations in terms of performance or price. It fulfills its purpose, but fails to provide any outstanding features or advantages over similar products

Pros

  • +

    Multiple mobile medical alert options

  • +

    Good speaker for mobile device

  • +

    Call center quality

  • +

    30- day money back guarantee

Cons

  • -

    Awkward belt clip for mobile device

  • -

    Mobile device size may be off-putting

  • -

    Cost of higher plans

  • -

    Refurb products with variable quality

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Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Livewell Alert is dedicated to providing medical alert systems and wellness services to individuals and healthcare organizations. Their focus is on empowering seniors and at-risk individuals to live longer, healthier, and more independent lives in their own homes. Through advanced technological solutions like the Mini, WellBe, and Mobile, Livewell Alert allows its clients to live with comfort and security.

In addition to offering products, Livewell Alert goes above and beyond by delivering exceptional customer service, providing innovative wellness support, and eliminating equipment costs, contracts, and setup fees. Their commitment to exceptional service sets them apart.

Among their offerings, Livewell Alert features the popular MyTrex MXD in-home system, compatible with both landline and cellular networks. Known for its loud speakerphone, the MyTrex system rivals options like MobileHelp CBS-02. The company also offers two cutting-edge mobile medical alert systems: the Belle Mobile Alert and the Numera Libris, which includes fall detection technology, providing an extra layer of protection.

Livewell Alert: Medical alert systems

The MyTrex MXD is a prominent medical alert system for indoor use. Its pendant range is around 600 feet, but our tests showed an average of approximately 77 feet. The system features a powerful speaker that outperforms competing medical alert systems. This is a significant advantage, especially if you have fallen in a room far from the base station. However, the exceptionally loud speaker can sometimes lead to damage to the speaker itself.

After testing multiple MyTrex systems from different services, we observed significant variation in audio clarity. We speculate that this inconsistency is influenced by the system's circulation and age. When customers cancel their subscriptions, the returned systems are cleaned and resold. Consequently, audio quality may deteriorate over time due to extensive usage. To ensure satisfaction, we advise testing the audio quality and returning the system if it does not meet the desired standards.

Livewell Alert medical alert system for seniors

Livewell Alert offers three mobile medical alert systems and two in-home systems. (Image credit: Livewell Alert)

Livewell Alert offers three mobile systems, including the widely used Belle and Numera Libris. The iHelp 3G, a relatively new system, is comparable to the others but provides unique features. Like the other systems, it includes GPS tracking and fall detection. Additionally, it sends text alerts to designated family members when the help button is pressed.

Among the mobile medical alert systems we have evaluated, the Numera Libris is a prominent choice, standing out as the most well-received mobile alert device. It boasts an exceptional speaker, delivering audio with remarkable quality. Furthermore, the device features a highly effective fall detection sensor. However, the GreatCall Lively Mobile is the sole mobile system in the market that surpasses the Numera Libris in terms of performance.

The Numera Libris is a bulky mobile medical alert system. It comes with a cumbersome belt clip that is challenging to use and uncomfortable to wear. Alternatively, you can wear it around your neck, but its size makes it uncomfortable and not discreet.

Livewell Alert: Emergency response center

LiveWell Alert's call center performance was mediocre, with an average response time of 56 seconds during the first round of daily tests. While faster than the overall average, it lagged far behind GreatCall's 20-second average. In the second round of testing, LiveWell Alert improved to 47 seconds on average, but again, this was only marginally better than the overall average. Meanwhile, GreatCall further improved to a remarkable 15 seconds per call.  

Livewell Alert medical alert system for seniors

Livewell Alert partners with a 5Star Monitoring cener. (Image credit: Livewell Alert)

The quality of the monitoring center’s calls was generally satisfactory, but there was room for improvement. The operators were attentive, spoke clearly, and inquired about the caller's well-being multiple times. However, the lack of identity confirmation raised concerns. Confirming the caller's identity is a crucial security measure, as medical alert systems can be used to discreetly alert operators in emergency situations, such as home invasions or senior abuse. By confirming the caller's identity, the operators can look for red flags that might indicate that the senior loved one is in a compromised situation.  

Livewell Alert: Pricing

Livewell Alert offers three main medical alert system options, each with different features and pricing:

The first is Mobile Alert (iHelp 3G) at a price of $33 per month. It features a landline-based system with cellular backup, fall detection, and two-way communication with the emergency response center. We also like that the device is water-resistant, with a long battery life.

Next up is the Mobile Alert plan at a price of $39 per month. The notable features include a mobile device with GPS and Wi-Fi for location tracking, that no cell phone or service is required, and has fall detection. It has two-way communication with the emergency response center, is water-resistant, and has a long battery life. Finally it has a caregiver app with notifications and messaging.

Livewell Alert medical alert system for seniors

The iHelp 3G is the newest offering by Livewell Alert. (Image credit: Livewell Alert)

At the top is the mobile alert watch (Numera Libris) at a cost of $49 per month. The includes all features of the Mobile Alert system, and adds medication reminders, appointment reminders, social event reminders, and has a touchscreen display.

Also keep in mind that Livewell Alert offers discounts for paying annually or semi-annually, with no additional fees for activation, shipping, or service charges. Finally, they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Livewell Alert: Support

Support for Livewell Alert has some options starting with phone support at 1-888-358-6667; the hours are not listed. The other direct support option is for a support portal. We did not find chat, and it is not clear if the direct email we found is only for sales or also support. 

Livewell Alert pricing

Livewell Alert's pricing is mostly competitive if you pay annually. (Image credit: Livewell Alert)

There is some limited self support including a blog. However, it was last updated in 2020. There is also a FAQ for over a dozen topics, including if the pendant can be used in the shower (the answer is yes).

Overall, we were also impressed with the customer service. Livewell Alert certainly goes out of their way to make sure you have all the information you need. We were never pressured to buy unnecessary add-ons and we weren’t funneled into an upsell call when we wanted to cancel the account. Overall, if one thing stands out with Livewell Alert, it’s the customer service.

Livewell Alert: Final verdict

Livewell Alert presents the well-known MyTrex in-home medical alert system with cellular and landline connectivity. This system is a suitable choice with a loud speaker, however, the audio quality can be inconsistent, ranging from good to poor.

In addition to the MyTrex, Livewell Alert offers three mobile medical alert systems. While all three systems are good options, they are not as competitively priced or perform as well as the GreatCall Lively Mobile. The new iHelp 3G is the most affordable option, but the cost increases substantially with fall detection. The Belle has a good speaker and is moderately priced, while the Numera Libris is an outstanding mobile medical alert system with reliable fall detection, although it might be bulky for some individuals.

Overall, Livewell Alert provides good medical alert systems with above-average performance, but the company does not particularly excel in any specific area compared to its competitors.

We've also listed the best medical alert with GPS tracking, and the best medical alert smartwatch.

Jonas P. DeMuro

Jonas P. DeMuro is a freelance reviewer covering wireless networking hardware.