Lively Mobile - Page 3

OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON -- I'm slowing down. I'll be 86 in December so, I don't get as much done as I used to do and I don't try to do as much as I used to do. But other than that, I'm still taking care of myself. I have a problem with my heart and sometimes I get weak. I've fallen a couple of times but mostly, they were practically my own fault for what I was doing, something that was crazy. So I thought it would be better to have a medical alert device, better safe than sorry.

I initially had a different medical alert service, but it was a $10 more expensive and the program was the same. The other problem was it was too easy to push the button. It had a rather large, sticking out button and you could accidentally brush up against something practically, and push it.

I've never used it to call for help but I had accidentally pushed for it for at least three or four times. Mostly the people were really nice but they told me to sleep with it so it'd be handy at night. And of course, I turn over on it and then, when it woke me up, the fire department was in my house to see if I was all right. That was embarrassing. Whereas with Lively, I push the button then they call my son who lives right next door, it doesn't automatically go to 911.

I'm doing all right with my Lively Mobile device. It's a little bit heavy so I don't wear it around my neck, I just keep it in my pocket. but I figure that's necessary since it actually talks to you. One time when I had a slight stroke, it was on my right side, in my right pocket. That was really good. But I managed to dial my son's number and they live right next door.

They told me I could actually use it when I was on vacation and I feel good about that. The one thing that was a trouble when I was on vacation, my daughter didn't like the idea that it makes such a loud noise when you put it on to charge and take it off. But I expect it and don't let it bother me. Sometimes I wonder if I need it, but just in case, it's okay to just be able to push a button if that's all I can do. So it's fine. The only thing is, I haven't used it very much and I'm wondering if there's a discount for not using it.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA -- I've had a couple of falls and have sprained my ankle. I lived in a house with stairs by myself so my kids were concerned. Then my friend and neighbor who lived in the same kind of place with stairs last summer had a stroke. She couldn't cognitively handle dialing 911, and if she had had a medical alert button, she would have gotten help much earlier so I got one for myself.

The first day I got the Lively Mobile I pushed the button and tested it. They tell you to do that, and a woman promptly answered the phone (I can talk through the device which is great), "Are you reporting a medical emergency?" And I said, "No. Frankly, I'm not. I'm just testing." And I could feel her lighten up a little bit. She was very gracious and said, "It's good for you and if you have any questions..." but I didn't at that point. I have to remember to charge the device, and put it on in the morning. I charge it at night. It's in my bedroom, so I can see it and get to it if I need to.

There have been a couple of other times where the device detected a fall like when I have the device around my neck and I lean over to take clothes out of my washing machine, I banged it. And I thought it can't be good. So one day, I put it off and down on the dryer right next to where it was standing. And I apparently put it down fast enough that it detected a fall but it was fine - I'd rather overdo than underdo. I was able to press the button and there was no problem. Since then, I've learned to tuck it in my shirt so it doesn't pop.

Since I got the device, I've moved into a senior independent living facility and other people see it and ask questions. One of the things that I particularly like about this device is that it works everywhere and I don't have to be within so many yards of a home base. I particularly like that just in case we'd have a fall someplace else. I am very mobile so being outside of range would not occur very often.

BOISE, IDAHO -- Marjorie's 93. At that age, she's a bit of a fall risk, and I can't be with her all the time so we got her Lively Mobile. One thing I like about it is the low monthly fee because it's something that we'll probably never need but ensure just for that one time that we do. It's good to have if she gets hurt or falls. I'd hate to have her here for three days until somebody finally looks in on her. We called customer service once just to see if it was activated on the first day that we got it and their response time was really quick.

There were a few good selling points that got me to go with Lively. Number one is it's Verizon-operated. Then a lot of these medical alert devices have to have a base with it. It's got to be within a certain distance from that base in order for it to pick up a signal once something happens. With Lively, it doesn't have to have that. It will go anywhere in the United States a person wants to go, even the local supermarket. There's a chip right inside of the alert button itself.

I also liked the fact that it can go in a shower with the person. It's completely waterproof. The price is pretty good for all that and it doesn't have to have a contract. The other thing I liked about it is that if a person would push it down once and release, it actually goes to somebody who is a non-emergency person. But then, if he has an emergency, he can push down and hold the button and that goes straight to 911. Not every call is an emergency call with that. One can actually talk to somebody if a little bit confused or lost. I invested in getting three of these devices. I definitely went with Lively because all these things together made it better than the next choice.

BROOKLYN CENTER, MINNESOTA -- Since my wife passed away and my son is a long way away from me, I thought I better have something 'cause I'm 85 years old now. The first time I used Lively Mobile, my pulse was racing real fast. I pressed it then they came and got me. Then, another time was when I couldn't pee and couldn't pass my bowel. I was really in pain then I broke out into a sweat. I called and they sent an ambulance and I went in again. I also used it when I fell and fractured my hip a couple of years ago.

I pressed it once accidentally. I heard them and I didn't know I did it, 'cause I got out of the car and closed the door real quick and went into the bank. I kept hearing my name in there and I had this around my neck. I asked the tellers if anybody was calling me and they said no. I went out to the car again, and then heard it again. I was all right, but they notified my son. They said that my son was going to be calling me.

The customer service has been good. While they were coming, I asked the gal where she was and she said she was in Massachusetts. I thought that was pretty quick service for so far away. They stayed on the line until the police got there. Then the fire department got there and then the ambulance. I also added the fall deal to it. Another thing I got it for is when I get down on my hands and knees, I can't get up so I've had to call and had the police come and lift me up. I have recommended them. We got about three or four people at church now with it.

NAPLES, FLORIDA -- I have artificial knees and sometimes I fall down. It's hard to get up, and I need help. I still work and keep going about my business. I have Lively Mobile with me and it makes me feel a little more secure. I would be wearing it to bed at night, but I have my phone charging beside me on the bed. Once in a while, this thing will go off with a message and wake me up like charging and I don't like that. So, I've been charging it in the kitchen, just leaving it there and hopefully relying on my phone. But I feel more confident having it with me.

I carry it around my neck when I'm home. And when I'm working in the garden, I keep it my pocket. I've even put it in my bra a few times, but I've been told that some people they knew have done that, and that it short circuited by sweating so I haven't done that anymore. I'm contented enough with it and forget I have it most of the time.

Their team has been very nice and very patient. The only thing that confused me is I dropped it on the floor one day and nobody ever called. That was strange. But they've been very prompt to reply and very courteous. I'm considering getting rid of the falling part because I wear it in my pocket and when I go to the bathroom, it says, "Falling, falling" and I've got to cancel the call. I don't know what to say to these guys when they call. So far, I've never knocked myself out when I'm falling. It's just that usually, I can't get up.

I try to remember to take it out of my pocket and put it on the counter if I have to take my pants down for any reason but they give me a chance to cancel, of course, which I do. I like that function that they don't have to talk to me, and I don't have to talk to them. I just need to push the button. Otherwise, I'm fine with it. I like it and I'm satisfied with it.

BOILING SPRINGS, PENNSYLVANIA -- I live by myself. My landlord recommended that I get a medical alert device. I fall often and last year, I fell half out of my bathtub and I'm not having that happen again. I'm taking medical at that point in time and I came home. I was sitting in the tub and wanted to push the shower curtain out of the bathtub. All of a sudden, the whole curtain and everything fell. I fell width ways of the tub with my chest out and then my leg bent back behind me further than it should. Luckily, I was able to get myself and the shower curtain back up. I wanted to make sure I was covered that way. My two recent falls were because of medication they had me on but I don't take it anymore.

Having the Lively Mobile makes me feel independent. I have it on my bed at night and I take it in the shower. I also have it when I go for a bike ride by myself, in case I go off-balance or just don't feel adequate or something was just not right with myself, especially now I was on crutches for a while. I messed up the discs and had this recent fall, a couple of months ago. Also, where I live there's a lot of druggies so having it makes me feel safe too. The only thing about it is I have to charge it all the time.

I called Lively a couple of months ago. The device was blinking red. I couldn't understand why the gray button that you push was red. They told me it was just because it wasn't accepting cellphone power. Their team was very friendly and helpful. It was like that for two days. I had to turn it off and that straightened it out. Overall, I would recommend them. My mom is thinking about getting one and my dad falls too and I know a neighbor that wants one, but sometimes getting one is not always cheap. I got mine while it was on a 50% off at Rite Aid so I was able to get it at $20.

WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA -- I live alone and I wanted a medical alert device that would go with me outdoors because I'm not at home a whole lot of the time. I got GreatCall and I've been very satisfied with it. I've used it once. I fell and there were lots of people around me, so it wasn't absolutely necessary. But I pushed the button and the paramedics were there in just a few minutes. That was very comforting and good for me to know that I had it and that I could take care of myself. It was a very good experience and a good lesson for a number of people too. I have a number of friends that knew about that and got the phone for themselves as a result.

I have it in my pocket then I take it out when I put my clothes off and I keep it in the charger. It's on the side of my bed so that I pick it up and take it with me when I go into the bathroom in the middle of the night. I take it also with me and put it in the shower when I bath. It's something that's a part of my life now.

Another thing I like about it was that if I ever feel in danger when I'm outside, I can push the button and somebody will stay and be there with me until I get to safety. That gives me a good feeling and it's very comforting. I'm not somebody that is spooked at being out at night, but it's good for me to know that I have that in case. There was one day when the button on my device was red instead of green and that hadn't happened before. So, I just pushed it and talked to somebody and asked them what the matter was. They told me it was something simple and to wait a couple of minutes and it would be back to green and it was.

I could easily get somebody that can talk to me and explain when I push the device, and I didn't have to go and find the phone number and call in. That was another thing that I really like about it. Whatever contact I've had, it's been very professional and very caring. I call it my 5-star, my GreatCall and I'm very much an advocate. I thought that the more people have it, the better.

SPRINGFIELD, OREGON -- I am a caregiver for my husband and I have had four back surgeries and a knee replacement. Most of my problems with my back and knee were a result of falls. A nurse that came to help my husband with something else suggested GreatCall Lively. She said that if I'd fall, my husband wouldn't be able to help and I would probably be in harm's way. I like the fact that the phone has a GPS that I could take anywhere and also, that I can override and get 911 directly. Those were the two factors that made me decide to go with GreatCall.

The price was right and it's about $1 a day or less. I wish that they would publish more discount prices like 25% off the device itself because there's a set up charge too. Now, they have other plans that would suit other people's needs. When I called to tell them I had the device and to start the set-up, the person that answered my question told me several different plans that would be available, and a lot of people weren't aware of those for multiple situations. If I got the device around my neck, I can press it and tell people I've fallen and I don't need fall detection.

I've called the customer service once just to see if it was working and it was very pleasant, but then I haven't had an occasion to call again. I'm sure I'd get the same response of helpful people. I'm just thankful that I haven't had to use it because my balance is pretty lousy. I wear it 99% of the time, except when I'm sleeping or napping.

It has delivered what it said it would and it's non-intrusive. It's all good and I'm enjoying it. The only thing I'm wondering was that the lanyard was made of cloth and magnetic. I wanted to know if there's a way to order when it runs out. I really like the whole set up and I like what I've got. I've already recommended it to a couple of people that were interested in GreatCall.

WILLINGBORO, NEW JERSEY -- I already had a medical alert device but it was a plug in thing and I had to be in the house to talk to it. It didn't have a Wi-Fi. So when I looked at the AARP magazine and saw GreatCall in there for $19, I said, “Well hell I'm paying $35 for this piece of junk and it doesn't even have Wi-Fi.” And then I found out that with the Wi-Fi it basically costs the same thing, but it was portable so I decided to go ahead and get Lively. I don't go out without it. I'm retired and next month, I'll be 69 so I'm in the house most of the time and I only go out when my wife has to go shopping. I wear it to church.

I had a stroke while I was at home and I used my device. They help you immediately as soon as you press that button. At first, while they were asking me how did I know I had a stroke, I explained it to him and he was taking me through certain exercises and while they were doing that the ambulance was here in three minutes. What happened was I had a clot in my leg and from my leg, it went up to my lungs and to my heart and into my brain. So that was a miracle within itself. The people at Lively were amazing. They're very nice and polite.

I'm happy that I had it. I recommend them to everybody. I'm glad I had changed because I had an Alert USA and there's no way in the world I'd have made it because I had to be in the house and downstairs when I had the stroke. I was up in the bedroom when it happened.

AKRON, OHIO -- I was in the hospital for six months last year and still, I'm having some trouble with balance and walking. So, I used the cane and I also have my family got me the alarm, just in case if I'd fall. My son got the Lively Mobile device for me, he says that it has all the features and the price was fine.

At night when I get up to go to the bathroom, the first thing I do is put the thing around my neck, then get the cane, go to the bathroom and get back in bed, and take the alarm off. Other than that, when I get up in the morning, I put it on and keep it on all day long. I make sure that when I'm walking around the house or outside here driving I've got it with me along with my cellphone.

I wear it around my neck and it just hangs down inside my shirt whether it's long sleeves for the office or short sleeves. It really doesn't matter because I don't wear t-shirts. So, you don't normally see it under the shirt. It has given me the feeling of assurance. I've had one fall but that was at night and I happened to be in my bedroom. So, rather than using the device, I just grabbed my phone and dialed 911.

The thing is, I know it blinks green and I always charge it in the morning while I'm having breakfast and then when I get home from work while I'm sitting in the chair. But I don't know how to test if it works. I know I'm allowed to press the button. I did that once, a few days after I got it, and somebody answered. I explained I just hit the button by mistake. I don't know their recommendations on testing to make sure the voice part works. Other than that, I'm very pleased with it. It is unobtrusive and always available when needed.