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Personal Living Alert Review
4.4 Overall Rating
Bottom Line
Personal Living Alert offers affordable prices for medical alert systems, providing 24/7 emergency assistance from trained agents based in America.
Updated:
About Personal Living Alert
Personal Living Alert offers a dependable mix of in-home and mobile medical alert systems built for safety and simplicity. The in-home unit features hospital-grade equipment, a 60-hour backup battery, and coverage up to 2,000 square feet. It’s also one of the few companies offering an anti-wandering service, providing families with extra peace of mind for loved ones with memory concerns.
Personal Living Alert offers consumers a choice of multiple medical alert systems for use at home or on the go. Their medical alert systems work in all 50 states, and landlines are not required for use.
Whether you choose a medical alert smartwatch, an on-the-go monitoring device, or an in-home system, most options can include automatic fall detection so that you can connect with a trained emergency response agent with just one press of a button.
Pros:
- Clear, transparent pricing
- No long-term contracts
- 24/7 monitoring in 50 languages
- Anti-wandering service optional
Cons
- Bracelets and pendants are not very stylish
- Protection plan costs extra
Medical Alert Bracelets, Buttons, and Systems
Personal Living Alert gives customers a choice of five wearable medical alert systems designed for coverage even when they’re away from home. All devices are waterproof and will connect to a 24/7 U.S.-based monitoring center within seconds of pressing a button.
- PLA In-Home System: This system works with your existing landline or cellular connection, providing coverage throughout your home and outside areas.
- PLA On-the-Go: A standard wearable medical alert device with GPS and cellular technology that pinpoints locations beyond the home to connect you to help when needed.
- Belle + LTE: This service operates on the Verizon network and utilizes GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular technology to locate you and connect you to emergency specialists when needed.
- Champion Smart Watch: This watch utilizes GPS location technology to connect you to emergency services and other healthcare services. It can also track your steps, measure your heart rate, and provide weather details.
- Independence Smart Watch: A stylish, easy-to-read smartwatch that offers 24/7 emergency alert monitoring, fall detection capability, heart rate and step tracking, and two-way voice communication. It combines safety with comfort and convenience for everyday wear.
Our Experience Using the PLA In-home Medical Alert System
After concluding our test of the PLA in-home system from Personal Living Alert, we recommend this medical alert system as an affordable option for seniors and their family members who want to stay protected but remain in their homes. Personal Living Alert’s in-home system uses a cellular service.
Our box included a base unit with a two-way speaker, a necklace, and a wristband. Both have buttons to engage the medical alert system as needed.
You’ll choose to use either a wristband or a pendant during your own setup.
Setting up the PLA in-home system took just a few minutes. Just plug the base unit into a power outlet, allow it to connect to the monitoring center, and then test the system.
Be sure to place the base unit in a location where you can hear it clearly in your home. The pendants and buttons from Personal Living Alert do not have speakers built into them, so it’s essential to test the system in multiple locations throughout your home. Make sure you can hear it and that the connection is working properly in areas such as your kitchen, bathrooms, backyard, and garage.
When we tested the medical alert button, it took only 18 seconds for the call center to respond. The agent called me by my name, correctly confirmed my location, and was fully prepared to act in the case of an emergency. The agent was calm, clear, and professional.
This is the wristband from Personal Living (pictured above). The strap is adjustable, the button is large, and the device is waterproof.
Depending on your preferences, you can also choose to wear a pendant, which is like a necklace. While other medical alert pendants and wristbands may be more stylish than Personal Living Alert, this company utilizes hospital-grade equipment, and its products are made in America. We are confident in the equipment’s ability to monitor us safely.
How Much Does Personal Living Alert Cost?
The monthly subscription plan from Personal Living Alert starts at $24.95, which is slightly lower than the industry average price for a medical alert system.
Annual subscriptions include one free month of service and a free lockbox. There are no activation or equipment fees for most systems.
| System | Monthly | Annually |
|---|---|---|
| In-Home System | $24.95 | $274.45 |
| On-The-Go System | $34.95 | $384.45 |
| Bella+ LTE | $39.95 | $439.45 |
| Champion Smartwatch | $44.95 | $494.45 |
| Independence Smartwatch | $44.95 | $494.45 |
Personal Living Alert Optional Add-on Fees
- Fall detection: $10 monthly fee
- Additional pendants or wristbands: $25-$50 one-time fee
- Warranty plan: $6 monthly fee
- Lockbox: $35 for monthly or quarterly plans, free with annual plan
- Shipping: $22 flat rate
How To Buy from Personal Living Alert
Personal Living Alert sells medical alert systems on its website. Select the equipment that meets your needs, choose a monthly, quarterly, or annual plan, then complete the payment process.
During our test, the agent informed us that part of your initial setup will include creating an emergency response plan for the call center to follow in case of an emergency, even if they can’t speak with you. For example, you can direct them to try to speak with you three times before dispatching emergency services or to call a family member’s cell phone number. The choice is yours, and Personal Living can help you with this.
Personal Living Alert offers a 30-day trial period with a money-back guarantee. If you aren’t happy with the system, you can return the product for a full refund of the prepaid monitoring subscription, minus shipping costs, and a $50 restocking fee.
The company’s Terms and Conditions state that there is a three-month minimum service requirement. After three months, you can cancel at any time and receive a pro-rated refund for any unused prepaid monitoring.
Personal Living Alert Warranty Information
If you want to protect your investment with a warranty on your Personal Living Alert medical alert device, you’ll need to enroll in the Gold Warranty Protection Plan. This plan costs $6 per month. It warrants up to one lost or damaged device per contractual year, excluding system accessories.
For additional system and accessory replacements, the warranty covers 50 percent of the item’s replacement cost if it was lost, stolen, or damaged.
Additional Monitoring Services Available
In addition to medical alert devices, Personal Living Alert also sells a selection of caregiver support and safety accessories. While there is no specific caregiver app, these items help prevent falls and wandering incidents. Take a look:
- Anti-wandering systems that alert caregivers when a door or exit is opened.
- Smart motion-activated outlets that will turn on following a detected motion to reduce tripping hazards.
- Cordless bed and chair pads that notify caregivers when a person stands or moves unexpectedly.
These tools are designed to complement Personal Living Alert’s medical alert systems, adding an extra layer of safety and awareness for older adults and caregivers alike.
Personal Living Alert Complaints
Personal Living Alert boasts a strong reputation in the medical alert field, characterized by high ratings from the BBB and positive user testimonials. Although fewer reviews exist compared to larger brands, the feedback suggests solid performance and trustworthiness—especially if you’re drawn to newer systems and flexible plans.
On the Better Business Bureau website, Personal Living Alert holds an A+ rating under the “Medical Alert Systems” category. Customer reviews highlight strong customer service and satisfaction with the devices.
Personal Living Alert FAQs
Test your medical alert hardware regularly by pressing the help button. Explain to the agent answering your call that this is a false alarm and you are testing the system’s function. The company’s terms of service say it has 48 hours after receiving written notice to provide a battery or other assistance with the device. This time does not include weekends and holidays.
Yes. To use your system, you’ll need cellular network service at the new address. Let a Personal Living Alert agent know you’ll be moving, and they will provide any assistance you need. Test the equipment at the new address to be sure you’re protected.
No. Monitored systems provide a level of safety that unmonitored systems can’t match. Medical alerts without professional monitoring don’t provide access to emergency responders at the press of a button.
Personal Living Alert is not involved with the design and manufacture of medical alert systems. Like many medical alert companies, Personal Living Alert does not produce the systems it sells.
Yes. Personal Living Alert is a legitimate, U.S.-based medical alert provider with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and positive customer reviews across several platforms. The company offers nationwide coverage, transparent pricing, and 24/7 monitoring through certified emergency response centers, making it a trustworthy option for seniors and caregivers seeking reliable protection.
Personal Living Alert holds its own among the best medical alert systems and well-known names like Medical Guardian, Life Alert, and Bay Alarm Medical. While Life Alert is recognized for its long history, it requires a multi-year contract and higher upfront costs. In contrast, Personal Living Alert offers month-to-month flexibility, transparent pricing, and no activation fees. Compared to Medical Guardian and Bay Alarm Medical, Personal Living Alert provides similar nationwide coverage and 24/7 monitoring. Still, it stands out for its smartwatch options, anti-wandering technology, and free lockbox with annual plans. For seniors who want a balance of affordability, innovation, and reliability, Personal Living Alert is a strong contender.
Our Conclusion on Personal Living Alert
Personal Living Alert offers a great selection of personal medical alert systems that combine style, technology, and dependable protection. The smartwatch stands out for its sleek design, mobile connectivity, and precise GPS tracking, while the company’s mobile and in-home systems offer reliable coverage for every lifestyle and budget. Whether you’re an active senior or prefer to stay close to home, Personal Living Alert helps you stay safe and connected with confidence.
For comparisons with other medical alert systems, read: