One Call Alert Review
#6 Personal Medical Alert System for Monitoring Senior Safety
#6 Personal Medical Alert System for Monitoring Senior Safety
One Call Products and Features
“My wife was terminally ill and with one call alert I was able to have piece of mind to do even the simplest of things. It also gave her a sense of security in till the day she died.” – Lauren S.
One Call Products and Features
Lifefone offers everything we at iDeal Comparison look for in a medical alert system and more. Their devices have long-lasting battery power and great range to the base stations. They provide landline and cellular connections, GPS, fall detection, and plenty of accessories and add-ons for seniors to choose from. Explore these options in the drop-downs below to see if Lifefone is the right choice.
One Call Alert’s In-Home Wireless system is their base level system. It uses wireless connection via AT&T’s network and comes with a base station and a button that can be worn as either a wristband or neck pendant. The range to the base station is 600 feet, which, although likely sufficient for many seniors, could be improved upon. The base has a back-up battery life of 36 hours, which is a sufficient amount if power is lost.
As with any home security system, seniors who need immediate assistance can simply press the button. The system then connects with One Call Alert’s call center and their trained responders, who can then determine the appropriate actions to take through the two-way talk speaker on the base station. Seniors and their families can also add fall detection for an addition $10 a month, which can send an alert to the call center in an emergency.
Overall, the In-Home Wireless system isn’t ground-breaking in the technology offered, and offers few add-ons. But for seniors or their families who want a simple, reliable medical alert system that will provide peace of mind and aid, this system is a solid choice.
The Mobile-On-The-Go option from One Call Alert offers seniors coverage both at home and outside of the home. The device is worn as a pendant and connects via AT&T’s cellular network. It includes GPS tracking so that in a crisis, an accurate location can be obtained and shared with either family or emergency responders.
The button also has two-way talk so that call center responders can quickly and easily speak with the user when contacted. The Mobile-On-The-Go device has a 36-battery life, so it will need to be charged on a regular basis. This system supports fall detection for an additional $10 a month, and is a good option for seniors who lead a more active lifestyle or with greater independence.
One Call’s mobile device is a great choice for those who want a simple system that will provide safety for the senior using it. It’s certainly not as advanced in comparison to many other devices on the market. But it is reliable and easy to use, which is often the best option for many seniors and their families looking for a medical alert system.
The Complete Protection package is a combination between the In-Home Wireless and Mobile On-The-Go packages. It still comes with a base station and alert button with the option to wear as a pendant or wristwatch. But it also comes with the mobile medical alert button, which is worn as a pendant and can be used both in and outside of the home. Both are connected via AT&T’s cellular network so that no landline connection is needed.
The range to base station with the in-home pendant is still 600 feet. But the big perk of this particular system is the battery life on the base station. It’s longer-lasting, with a backup battery of 60 hours. The mobile device has a charge of about 36 hours, so it will be necessary to ensure it is consistently charged to retain power. This system also supports fall detection, which is an additional $10 a month to add on.
As with both aforementioned systems, a button can be pressed in an emergency, automatically connecting with the call center. Through either the base station or mobile device, the call center representative will determine the best course of action, including calling emergency responders if necessary. And again, with fall detection, a sensor will alert the call center in the instance of a fall.
Unless the senior who needs a medical alert system doesn’t leave the home or has a relatively small place, this system is, in our opinion, the best option. It provides the extended coverage both out-of-range inside the home and outside of the home with the mobile button. The only complaint is that two separate buttons are needed rather than combining them, but again, if only one is desired, then the mobile option only can be chosen.
There are few add-ons offered by One Call Alert, which, although not a dealbreaker, could be improved upon. Beyond fall detection, lockboxes and additional alert buttons are the only add-on options offered. The lockboxes provide a way for either family, caregivers or emergency responders to easily gain access to the home if called. Including the lockbox is only an additional $2 a month, which is inexpensive for a potentially vital extra.
One Call also offers additional alert buttons. For those who want to add-on a spouse or have an extra button on-hand, this is an easy choice at $5 more a month. We at iDeal Comparison do wish they provided a wall button option, but an extra button in a room is still a perfectly viable choice. Their equipment is solid and comes with a one-year warranty for basic wear and tear, but there is no mention of an option to extend or add-on additional warranty, an option which we’d like to see.
Oftentimes seniors and their families get caught up in the extras, when in fact, the most important aspect is the system itself. What One Call lacks in extras, it makes up for in ease of use, accessibility and effectiveness. There are some add-ons that hopefully will be available in the future. But for those who want a basic medical alert system for either themselves or their loved ones, One Call is a good place to start.
| Products | In-Home Wireless | Mobile On-the-Go | Complete Protection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Detection Available | |||
| In-Home Range | 600 ft | N/A | 1000 ft |
| Base Station Backup Battery | 36 hrs | N/A | 60 hrs |
| Cellular Coverage Provider | AT&T | AT&T | AT&T |
| Mobile Battery Life | 36 hrs | 36 hrs | |
| GPS Tracking | |||
| Family Alerts | |||
| Two-Way Voice | |||
| Waterproof Device |
One Call Prices
One Call Prices
One Call Alert’s medical alert system prices are clearly laid out on their site. The three systems allow for flexible contracts, with month-to-month, quarterly, or annual payment options. For seniors and their families who choose the annual or quarterly payments, they’ll save up to $5 a month in their plan. Those who are subscribed can easily cancel at any time since no long-term contracts apply.
The monthly plans range from $34.95/mo to $41.95/mo, which we at iDeal Comparison would consider average in the medical alert system industry. Fall detection is an additional $10/mo, which is also very standard. The lockbox and additional button are an additional $2/mo and $5/mo, respectively.
Most noteworthy in their pricing scheme is their 30-day money back guarantee. Seniors can try out the system for 30 days free without having to commit after that. This guarantee gives both seniors and their families sufficient time to adjust to the system and determine if it’s the right choice. Not only do they have a money-back guarantee, but a price lock guarantee as well. As long as seniors continue service, One Call will honor their monthly cost that they started at with no price hikes. One Call also ships equipment free and does not charge activation fees.
To summarize, One Call Alert’s pricing is on par with the industry. It would be more appealing at a slightly lower price considering the systems offered. Having said that, the 30-day guarantee and promise of lifetime price lock both check major boxes when rating a medical alert system’s pricing. Rather than sticking seniors and their families with longer contracts and hidden fees, One Call Alert is clear-cut in what they charge, which is always appreciated.
| Product (price/month) | In-Home Wireless | Mobile On-The-Go | Complete Protection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Price | $34.95 | $37.95 | $41.95 |
| Fall Detection | $10.00 | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| Additional Button | $5.00 | $5.00 | $5.00 |
| Lockbox | $2.00 | $2.00 | $2.00 |
One Call Company Reputation
“We chose One Call Alert for my Mom who is 85 years old. She has told us that she has set off the alarm accidentally on a couple of occasions and everyone she has spoken to has been very kind to her, reassuring her that she’s not “bothering” them. Thankfully, Mom has not needed any medical help, but we feel confident that with One Call Alert, she would be tended to quickly and efficiently if a situation would arise.” -Diane S.
One Call Company Reputation
At iDeal Comparison, reputation weighs most heavily in the rating of a medical alert system. Because it involves the safety and security of a senior, it’s based on factors including the monitoring center, consumer and professional reviews, and customer service rather than brand name recognition. To see how One Call stacks up, check out these categories and other reputation elements below.
One Call offers 24/7 monitoring from their US-based Professional Emergency Response Centers. Staff are available every day of the year and are well-trained in handling any imaginable situation. The call center is certified by the Underwriters Laboratory, but is not a CSAA Five Diamond Center, which is preferred but not a dealbreaker by any means. From seniors and their families who have both used or tested the system, the response time is about average. The monitoring offered is reliable and trustworthy, and should put seniors and their families at ease knowing the medical alert system is backed up by a reputable call center.
One Call’s customer service is available Monday through Friday from 8am-6pm CST. If calling outside of these hours, seniors can leave a voicemail detailing the issue they need assistance with. There is a helpful list of FAQs on their site as well for answers to simpler questions, but no email or online chat available. Their customer service representatives are extremely helpful and patient, but it would be preferable for the hours to be extended or have availability on the weekends.
Reviews from professionals and consumers alike are extremely positive for One Call Alert. They maintain an A+ BBB rating and are heavily endorsed by many organizations and sites, including the American Diabetes Association, A Place for Mom, The Mended Heart, and Medical ID. A huge plus for One Call, in fact, is that they were founded by Medical ID. The company provides custom bracelets identifying specific medical conditions that aid healthcare professionals and first responders when providing emergency care. This background has afforded One Call with additional insight into how to care for seniors through their system. Beyond these professional reviews, there are many positive reviews from seniors and their families who use One Call Alert, an encouraging fact that weighs heavily in their rating.
One Call Alert offers excellent systems that are easy to use and are backed by great monitoring. Although there are some areas in which we’d like to see a little more out of One Call, including extras, seniors and their families can rest assured that their medical alert system is a great option to choose and one we feel comfortable recommending.
| Reputation Components | Facts |
|---|---|
| CSSA 5 Diamond Monitoring Center | |
| Underwriters Laboratory (UL) Certified | |
| A+ BBB Rating | |
| TrustPilot Rating | |
| Money-Back Guarantee | |
| Customer Service Number | 855-476-6592 |
