Philips LifeLine is part of the massive Philips corporation that hires over 80,000 people and generates a revenue of more than $20 billion a year. Despite all of that money and power, there is an independant spirit at the heart of this company, as it was founded by a couple that wanted to make a difference in the lives of millions of elderly individuals.
About Philips LifeLine
Philips LifeLine was founded by Andrew Dibner, Ph.D., a pioneer in the medical alert industry. He began work on a personal emergency response product back in the 1970s that helped this industry flourish and become what it is today, potentially saving thousands of lives and preventing millions of serious injuries in the process.
The company initially launched as LifeLine Systems and was backed by Andrew and his wife, Susan, a sociologist. Within 2 years, the couple had patented their first game-changing product and within a decade they took the company public. Philips acquired the company in 2006 and it continued to innovate and push the industry forward, becoming bigger, better, and establishing itself as an industry leader.
Unfortunately, Susan passed away in 1988 and Andrew passed in 2019, aged 93. However, Philips LifeLine continues to thrive and remains a significant force in the medical alert sector.
Philips LifeLine Products
Philips LifeLine products are split into two main categories: home alert systems and mobile alert systems. The former is geared toward customers who spend most of their time indoors and want some security in the event of a trip, fall, or serious health crisis. The latter provides the same benefits both inside and outside the home, and can be used in the car, on a walk, or anywhere else the user needs assistance.
HomeSafe
The HomeSage range covers both the HomeSafe Standard and the HomeSafe with Auto Alert. These products cost $29.95 per month and $44.95 per month respectively, but they also require a $50 activation fee.
They work through a landline and wireless connection to give the user 24/7 access to customer service centers in the United States. The wearable button, a portable alert device that sends a signal to the base unit, is available as a wristwatch and a necklace, and it offers the following features:
Two-Way Voice Communication: Speak and be heard loudly and clearly at all times.
Wide Range: The button works from anywhere inside the home and ensures you are connected quickly.
Battery Life: The button comes with a long-life battery and will be replaced free of charge.
Waterproof: You can take the wearable button with you in the shower, as it is completely waterproof.
The added "auto alert" feature, which costs an extra $15 per month, is automatic fall detection. It's a good feature to have, but it usually costs an extra $5 to $10 from other companies, so $15 is quite steep.
There are a couple of additional costs to be aware of as well, and since these are only added at checkout, you won't see them included on the product pages. First, you'll need to choose whether you want to install the device yourself or have a technician install it for you.
If you opt for the latter, the cost is $99. While you might expect the self-installation to be free, it actually costs $19.99 and is labeled as "shipping and handling." You also have to factor the activation fee into the equation.
This means that the HomeSafe Standard, although listed at $29.95, will cost you an initial $99.90 to $178.95, depending on the installation option you choose.
GoSafe 2
The Philips LifeLine Medical Alert range also includes the GoSafe 2, which is priced at a massive $49.95 per month and requires an initial setup fee of $99.95, plus $19.95 for self-installation and $99.00 for technician installation.
As a result, you could be hit with an initial charge of $248.90 if you choose this option and will need to pay $49.95 per month thereafter.
That's a lot of money, but it includes automatic fall detection and covers you when you are outside of the house. Whether those features are enough to justify the price tag is for you to decide, but it is generally considered to be one of the better mobile alert systems on the market and it's backed by a very reputable company.