This document compares and summarizes key details about three personal emergency response systems: MobileHelp, GreatCall, and Connect America. It outlines the devices, monitoring services, costs, contracts and other important information for each system to help consumers compare options.

1. Comparing the Personal Emergency Response Systems
Frequently Advertised in AARP Bulletins
MobileHelp Button, MobileHelp, Boca Raton,
FL
Waterproof Help Button: pendant or
wristband; Home Base Station or Cradle
Charger, dep. on service acquired
Provides medical emergencies, falls, fire,
security assistance. Services avail.
nationwide. Offers 3 different types of
services: Duo- base station mobile device help
button, works inside outside the home via
GPS tracking; Solo- provides monitoring
service without landline mobile device also
works outside the home via GPS; Classic-
Base station works inside around home. Base
station range to Help Button is 600 ft. Mobile
device range to Help Button is 250 ft. Range of Help Button by itself is unlimited. GPS coverage is
limited not always avail. Base Station has approx. 30 hours of backup power. Wireless Network is
ATT. Monitoring Center is outsourced to Acadian Monitoring Services in LA IL. Agents trained for 3
months receives Alarm Company Employee (ACE) certification. Offers unique ID to identify you.
VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) may not be compatible with Base Station. Website offers
thorough FAQ.
Base Station plugs into power outlet phone jack.
No equipment costs. Free repair/ replacement. Offers 3 different plans fees: Mobile Plans with free
activation- Annual: $36.95/mo (total: $443.40), Quarterly: $39.95/mo (total:119.85), Monthly:
$41.95/mo (total: $41.95). Mobile Plans with one-time activation fee-- Annual: free; Quarterly:
$49.00; Monthly: $99.00. Classic Plans- Annual: $19.95/mo free activation; Quarterly: $24.95/mo
one-time activation fee of $22.00; Monthly: $29.95/mo one-time activation fee of $45.00. Free
shipping.
No contracts. BBB (Better Business Bureau) accredited. FDA-registered medical device
manufacturer.
5 Star Urgent Response, GreatCall, San Diego, CA
Button with clip or keychain attachment, Micro-USB A C Battery Charger, Quick Start Guide, User
Guide
Provides medical emergencies, fire, security assistance. Avail nationwide. Devices work inside
outside home. Mic speaker on the device gives loud, clear cellular 2-way communication. Wireless
network is Verizon. GPS Online Locator Service @ mygreatcall.com to find family friends. GPS

2. service may not find your exact location but approximate. Device cannot detect falls. National
Academy of Emergency Dispatch agents are trained in CPR other emergeny procedures, work 24/7,
U.S.-based, remain with you on the line until issue is solved/ call you later, can dispatch 911
emergency service via special code. Nurses also offered 24/7, offers bilingual or multilingual
translation support of over 100 languages. Four different ways of setting up personal profiles.
Personal info protected by SAS 70 Type II certified data center, which is "HIPAA compliant." Also
offers cellular smartphone services with 5 Star technology app. Website offers thorough FAQ.
Button can be attached to your person: belt, keychain, purse.
One-time activation fee of $35.00. Monthly service fee of $14.99/mo. No installation fee. Battery
charger: $24.99. GreatCall phone: $49.99. Jitterbug Cellphone: $80.00 -$100.00 with various
monthly calling plans.
No contracts. Cancel anytime. Endorsed by John Walsh of TV's "America's Most Wanted."
Medical Alert Systems/ Medical Alert Alarm Systems, Connect America, Broomall, PA
Waterproof Button: pendant, wristband or belt, two-way speaker box base unit, MobileAlert cradle
charger button, Medical information card
Provides medical emergencies, fire, police. assistance. Avail nationwide. Range of button to base
unit is 600 ft. Base unit can support mulitple help buttons; has Braile characters for 'emergency',
'home', 'clear' buttons; when base unit is activated, signal on transmittor light green, if low battery
power when activated, signal indicator lights red; transmittor sends status signal every 2 hours tests
for low battery power, battery has 32-hour backup power. System works with any type of phone line.
Monitoring center is owned by company, U.S.-based, UL(Underwriters Laboratories)-certified, offers
24/7 service. Agents are trained in emergency situations international language for real time
translation of over 140 languages; agents stay on line with you until help arrives, dispatch local
EMS, check your stats, notify loved ones. Personal info is secured. Also offers MobileAlert Button
with GPS tracking capability for active seniors; coverage is not always avail may track your
approximate location. Wireless network is ATT. Offers tech support. Website FAQ not as thorough.
Base unit connects to power outlet landline phone jack or modem VOIP.
No activation fee. No installation fee. If you require extra important information concerning GPS
tracking devices; you ought to visit here like yesterday. You'll find plenty of interesting posts to
browse! No equipment cost inc. No equip. replacement costs. MobileAlert monitor. Basic monitoring
service: $29.95/mo. MobileAlert service: $39.95/mo.
No long term contracts. Lifetime warranty. BBB_accredited.
Philips Lifeline Amplified Phone with AutoAlert, Philips Co., Netherlands
Waterproof AutoAlert Help Button: classic pendant or wristband, 2 Console options: Care Partner
Communicator with red help button, voive amplifier 15 hours of battery backup power or Amplified
Cordless Phone Communicator with large button for easy reading lighted, LED display for caller ID
Pendant/ wristband detects medical emergencies, fires, burglary. With AutoAlert pendant only:

3. detects falls 95% of the time automatically calls for help if you are unable to press button yourself.
No sound mechanism built in to help button. Voice extension console place in area different from
main console will increase 2-way sound speaker phone voice communication. Each base has range of
800 ft. Care Partner Communicator works with Personal Help Button your existing phone. If Internet
is on same phone, need to install a filter. Range of lifeline button is tested in around home. Philips
sends skilled technician to your home to install equipment. Monitoring center operates 24/7 (BBB
complaint: takes 8 minutes to respond to call). Lifeline service is incompatible with Verizon Home
Connect other wireless services. Specific costs not clearly or automatically listed on website, but
there is an FAQ trouble shooting tools.
AutoAlert button automatically detects falls alerts monitoring center if you cannot.
No activation fee, No equipment cost. Service fees depend on where you live. Standard service fee is
$32.00 - $38.00/mo. The additional AutoAlert service is $40.00 - $53.00. Another plan: Standard
emergency alert service i.e. PERS is $40.00/mo. With fall detection: $53.00/mo.
No long term contracts. Cancel anytime. Lifetime warranty. BBB-accredited. FDA-registered.