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December 2, 2021
We picked out a few more recommendations worth considering:
Specializing in mobile protection, ResponseNow offers two different cellular systems, in addition to one that uses a landline connection. What’s more, all of their devices have two-way talk, water resistance, and access to 24/7 monitoring.
Let’s take a closer look at each ResponseNow system and explore its features, costs, and functionality.
Pro Tip: New to the world of medical alerts? Then check out our comprehensive guide to medical alert devices.
| In-Home System | $29.95 per month |
| Mobile System | $39.95 per month |
| Most Affordable System | $29.95 per month |
| Fall Detection | $11.95 per month |
| Extra Users | $2.95 per month |
| Protection Plan | $3.95 per month |
ResponseNow offers three medical alert systems: In the Home, Belle, and Belle+. In The Home is the least expensive option, starting at $29.95, and it works on a landline connection providing 24/7 monitoring when an individual presses the help button.
The Belle and Belle+ mobile systems start at $34.95 and work on a cellular network. The higher price point means the systems offer more features including GPS, fall detection, and device tracking depending on what subscription plan you choose.
Tip: There is a $35 activation fee for the Belle and Belle+ models but these are typically waived.
This is ResponseNow’s least expensive system, coming in at $29.95 per month if you pay monthly, $27.95 per month if you pay quarterly, and $24.95 per month if you pay annually.
Tip: Keep in mind that ResponseNow isn’t the most expensive medical alert system on the market, but it’s not the cheapest either. Bay Alarm Medical costs start at $21.95 for their in-home system.
In The Home is a traditional medical alert system. It comes with a base unit that’s plugged into the wall and a simple lightweight help button you can wear around your neck or on your wrist. The help buttons are water-resistant, meaning they can be brought into the shower, but you shouldn’t submerge them in a bathtub. Extra pendants are available for $2.95 extra per month.
Once you have the base unit plugged into the wall and connected to your landline, you’re good to go. The pendant has a button that you push in case of an emergency. That button connects you to a 24-hour monitoring center where a trained, local specialist will assess the situation and send help if needed. The In The Home system is also compatible with the company’s automatic fall detection pendant, although this is an added accessory and costs an additional $11.95 per month.
This system works within 500 feet of the plugged-in console and is ideal for older adults who spend the majority of their time at home and have a landline. ResponseNow is also better for those of us living in smaller homes or apartments, as its connection range is less than Medical Guardian’s systems, which work within a 1,300-foot range of the base unit.
Belle is ResponseNow’s most popular system. Unlike the In The Home system, which you need to plug in, the Belle system is completely mobile and works with a battery. The system has a battery life of 30 days and a charge time of three hours. The system costs $39.95 monthly, $37.95 per month if you purchase a quarterly subscription, and $34.95 per month for an annual subscription.
The Belle system connects to the AT&T cellular network, so you can take your pendant with you anywhere you go, like the grocery store, for a walk, or even on vacation wherever AT&T offers service. If AT&T does not offer service in your area then the system will not work; so make sure to check your coverage before ordering a system.
Belle has a showerproof pendant with a two-way speaker that should be worn around your neck at all times. Once you press the button, you are connected with a ResponseNow operator who will ask a few questions directly through the pendant. Based on your conversation, they will then decide whether or not to dispatch emergency response teams or contact a family or friend from your predetermined contact list.
It’s important to note that while you have the option to get automatic fall detection with the In The Home system, automatic fall detection is not an option with the Belle system — even as an add-on feature.
Belle+ is ResponseNow’s most expensive system, but the higher price tag gives you all the bells and whistles. Belle+ costs $49.95 per month for a monthly subscription, $47.95 per month for a quarterly subscription, and $44.95 per month for an annual subscription.
What I like most about Belle+ is the GPS detection feature. This gives emergency response personnel the ability to quickly find you even if you aren’t home. I had a client who fell down on a walk around the park and once she pressed the button, emergency responders were easily able to find her through the pendant. GPS allows for a faster response time, which could be the difference between life and death. In fact, studies show those who don’t get help quickly may have a greater chance of dying as a result of the fall.
Like Belle, Belle+ runs on a battery that needs to be charged for about three hours and can then last for up to five days. When the battery is nearly out of juice, you will get an email and text message notification reminding you it’s time to recharge.
To learn more about the Belle+, check out my review of ResponseNow.
| System | In The Home | Belle | Belle+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $29.95 per month | $39.95 per month | $49.95 per month |
| Initial Fees | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| For Use | In-home | On the go | On the go |
| Equipment | -Base station -Help button -Lanyard or bracelet |
-Mobile pendant -Charging cradle -USB charger -Lanyard -Belt clip |
-Mobile pendant -Charging cradle -USB charger -Lanyard -Belt clip |
| Connection Type | Landline | Cellular | Cellular |
| Fall Detection | Yes | No | Yes |
| Caregiver Portal | No | No | No |
| Additional Features | -Fall detection pendant ($11.95 per month) -Lockbox ($3.95 per month) -Extra pendant ($2.95 per month) -Protection plan ($3.95 per month) |
-Lockbox ($3.95 per month) -Protection plan ($3.95 per month) |
-Lockbox ($3.95 per month) -Protection plan ($3.95 per month) |
Tip: An annual plan on any ResponseNow system comes with a free lockbox.
You may purchase a ResponseNow system online or over the phone. Online, you simply choose the system you want, any additional features, and the subscription length based on your needs. You then enter your billing and shipping information and a credit card to complete the purchase. Shipping is free for annual and quarterly plans and $14.95 for the monthly plan. Over the phone, a dedicated agent will walk you through all the systems and take payment information.
When it comes to returns, ResponseNow offers a 30-day, money-back guarantee. While there are no free trials available, the money-back guarantee allows you to test out the system before making a final decision. If you decide the system isn’t for you, ResponseNow provides a prepaid shipping label for you to return the equipment. If you do not return the equipment promptly, there is a $250 replacement fee.
There is a price-lock guarantee, meaning monthly fees will never go up as long as you’re subscribed to the system. So, while ResponseNow may not be the cheapest medical alert system, you remove the risk of unexpected price increases with their lifetime price guarantee.
The 24/7 monitoring is conducted by a local affiliate so they will be familiar with the region you live in. When you purchase a system, you input the name and contact information of caregivers or family members the center may call in case of an emergency. You may also choose for ResponseNow to contact emergency responders if the situation calls for it.
ResponseNow has an A+ Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating so you can be assured they offer high-quality customer service. Unlike other medical alert system companies, ResponseNow is a family-owned business that focuses on keeping a local presence within communities.
If you purchase a ResponseNow through an independent dealer, essentially everything you do is through that locally owned business, such as the installation, service, and end-user training. Those dealers are trained by ResponseNow, so you are getting the same quality of service as if you bought directly from the website. This is perfect for those who would like specialized service. You can contact ResponseNow directly to see if there is a local dealer in your area.
ResponseNow’s three systems accommodate those with many different lifestyles and budgets. I especially like their emphasis on offering local monitoring centers. This can provide peace of mind that the person you are talking to in an emergency is not only in the same country but in the same state as well. This provides a personalized level of service that can help people get used to new technology.
For these reasons, ResponseNow is one of my picks for this year’s best medical alert system.
ResponseNow has 24/7 monitoring so you will always have access to an operator. In the event you need help, someone will be on the other end of the line within 30 to 60 seconds. If you have automatic fall detection and you are unable to press your button or an operator can’t establish communication, they will automatically dispatch help.
ResponseNow does not require you to sign a long-term contract. Services can be canceled at any point. Once you cancel the services, you are responsible for returning the ResponseNow equipment using a prepaid shipping label.
ResponseNow will fix faulty equipment and replace batteries at no extra cost. Every system has a complete lifetime replacement warranty for malfunctioning equipment.
Every system has water-resistant pendants so they may be taken into the shower. However, do not submerge them in the bath or pool for a long period of time.
ResponseNow allows you to set up a text message or email notifications to alert you of a low battery. This is helpful for the Belle and Belle+ systems since they have a surprisingly long battery life. In order to charge your system, plug in the charging cradle and place the pendant on it for three hours. We recommend charging your system immediately upon receiving it in order to ensure it’s fully charged when you begin using it.
