GreatCall has two medical alert devices, each with the same monitoring plan. You can also get a famous Jitterbug phone from GreatCall. Each device is designed with older adults in mind—with a comfortable wearable fit, loud two-way talk, and contact with real human operators trained to help in emergencies.
Overall, GreatCall is best for active older adults who leave the house frequently, travel domestically, and live alone. While pricing isn’t the lowest we’ve found, it’s still under $40 per month for features like fall detection, Urgent Care, and the GreatCall Link app.
The GreatCall Lively Mobile Plus device is about the size of a business card. You can wear it on a lanyard and belt clip or carry it with you in a purse or bag. It’s small enough to take with you while you run errands, visit loved ones, or relax at home.
The Lively Mobile Plus has a single button that connects you to a 5Star monitoring professional when you find yourself in a jam like a lockout or a serious emergency like chest pains. Just press the button when you need assistance and a real person with emergency training will help you out.
For such a tiny device, the Lively Mobile Plus has a powerful two-way speaker, so you’ll be able to hear the folks on the other side loud and clear. If you need assistance from first responders, they’ll stay on the line with you until help arrives.
This device uses Verizon’s 4G LTE network to connect to the monitoring center and share your location with emergency responders (and your loved ones). You don’t need to be a Verizon customer to use it, but you do need to live in an area with Verizon coverage (which is most places, fortunately)
The GreatCall Wearable 2 is a single-button wristband that looks like a typical watch. But unlike a typical watch, the Wearable 2 doesn’t have a clock face. Instead, it uses Bluetooth to connect to your smartphone and turn it into your own personal medical alert device.
When you need help, press the button on your wrist (or around your neck if you choose the lanyard) to connect to the 5Star monitoring center. The device will use your smartphone to call for help through speakerphone. And like the Lively Mobile Plus, it comes with features like fall detection, Urgent Care virtual doctor visits, and an app for your family.
The Wearable 2 also has a step counter for active (and trying-to-be-active) older adults. You can also get daily health tips to improve your diet and activity level.
There’s a lot we like about the Wearable 2, but replacing a medical alert system with your phone isn’t a foolproof solution. We all know how easy it is to leave the house without your cell phone, and you probably don’t shower with your phone either. But if you always have your phone nearby, the Lively Wearable 2 is a good option.
GreatCall’s Jitterbug phone debuted in 2006 as one of the first of its kind—a cell phone designed with seniors in mind. Both the Jitterbug Smart 2 and the Jitterbug flip give you the freedom to call and message your loved ones without all the distractions and extras smartphones have.
Both phones come with large-text screens and buttons, making them easier to see and message friends and family. These phones are armed with powerful speakers and sensitive microphones that make it easier to hear the conversation. They also have a 5Star button that allows you to call the monitoring center for help just like a medical alert system.
We don’t recommend completely replacing a dedicated alert system with a standard flip phone or smartphone. But both versions of the Jitterbug are solid choices for older adults who want a no-fuss phone.