Page Reviewed / Updated – November 09, 2020

When seniors and people living with disabilities want to live independently, they often need a little bit of oversight to do so safely. Medical alert systems help these individuals enjoy peace of mind while enjoying their independence. These devices have a small panic button that the person can wear to summon help quickly if they experience an emergency.

ResponseNow Medical Alert Systems has been providing these systems to seniors and their families for over 30 years. As a family-owned company that sells its products through local representatives, which gives each customer a more personal experience. This company takes a personal interest in finding effective solutions for its customers, and it strives to provide an affordable option for home monitoring. ResponseNow offers both mobile medical alert pendants and in-home systems, and all are connected to U.S.-based monitoring centers that are on call 24 hours a day, seven days per week. The company carries an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, making it a trusted option for those looking for monitoring help.

This guide discusses the different options available from ResponseNow, including pricing and plans, and offers a list of the pros and cons of these products and services.

What You Should Know

ResponseNow offers two primary medical alert systems. Belle is its mobile medical alert pendant that allows wearers to take the monitoring device anywhere they go. The wearable pendant has an easy-to-use button that the wearer can press in an emergency. It is connected to the AT&T cellular network, which it uses to connect the wearer to an operator if they experience an emergency. Belle+ is an upgraded option that offers GPS tracking and fall detection. These mobile devices allow for greater mobility and independence because they go anywhere the user goes. Long battery lives and a water-resistant design add to the convenience of Belle and Belle+.

In The Home is ResponseNow’s in-home medical alert system. This system offers several pendant options, including a bracelet option or a pendant option. It also comes with a small room and hallway button that can be placed in a high-traffic or high-risk area. In The Home has an optional fall detection pendant that can be added to the system to provide fall detection help.

In The Home has a base unit that plugs into the landline to keep the user connected to the operators. The pendant or bracelet alert button works within 500 feet of the base unit. This means it will work within the confines of most small homes.

All of ResponseNow’s medical alert systems feature two-way speakers on the pendant. If the wearer activates the emergency call button, they are quickly connected to an emergency response professional who can either call 911 or summon a friend or family member to help, depending on the need.

Belle Belle+ In The Home
GPS Tracking No Yes
Fall Detection No Yes Yes with fall detection pendant
Connectivity AT&T Cellular Network AT&T Cellular Network Landline
Monitoring 24/7 monitoring 24/7 monitoring 24/7 monitoring
Waterproof Water-resistant and shower safe Water-resistant and shower safe Water-resistant and shower safe
Battery Life 30 days 5 days 24-hour backup for the base unit
Range Nationwide Nationwide 500 feet

ResponseNow Plans and Pricing

Of the three devices, the In The Home is the most affordable.

ResponseNow offers a lifetime price guarantee for all of its systems and plans. Once a buyer purchases one, they will keep that price for as long as they remain a ResponseNow customer. The price will never go up for that customer, even if the company’s price increases at some point for new customers. It costs $29.95 per month if you pay monthly. Users can pay monthly or annually, and those prices are $27.95 per month or $24.95 per month respectively. Adding fall detection costs an additional $11.95 per month.

Belle is slightly higher at $39.95 per month. It also requires a one-time activation fee of $35. Those who pay annually pay $34.95 per month, and those who pay quarterly pay $37.95 per month.

Belle+ with its fall detection and GPS tracking costs $49.95 per month with the $35 activation fee. Paying quarterly reduces the monthly cost to $47.95, while those who pay annually pay only $44.95 per month.

Shipping is waived for customers who choose quarterly or annual plans. Those who pay monthly will pay $14.95 for ground shipping.

Monthly Quarterly Annual Shipping Other fees
In The Home $29.95/month $27.95/month $24.95/month $14.95 with monthly plan/free with others $35 activation
Belle $39.95/month $37.95/month $24.95/month $14.95 with monthly plan/free with others $35 activation
Belle+ $49.95/month $47.95/month $44.95/month $14.95 with monthly plan/free with others $11.99 optional fall detection

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Pros and Cons of ResponseNow Medical Alert Systems

Pros

  • ResponseNow carries an A+ rating with the BBB.
  • With Belle and Belle+, families have an option for seniors who are on the go.
  • These devices have a long battery life of 5 to 30 days, depending on the system.
  • The company offers a price lock guarantee to help seniors on a fixed income.
  • The system connects to an emergency response operator within 30 to 60 seconds, so help is summoned quickly.
  • Both the mobile and at-home systems have a fall detection option available.
  • The systems require no professional installation.
  • All subscribers receive a 30-day money-back guarantee.
  • A lifetime replacement warranty comes with all ResponseNow products.

Cons

  • Though the wearable buttons are water-resistant, they can’t go under the water and can’t be used in a bath or pool.
  • The activation fee adds to the cost of setting up the system.
  • Customers who cancel after signing up for an annual or quarterly payment plan will not get their money back through a prorated refund.
  • The pendant looks like a medical device.
ResponseNow FAQs

Here are some common questions about the ResponseNow emergency alert system.

How does the ResponseNow system alert the user that it’s time to recharge the unit?

Both text and email notifications can be set up to alert the wearer of low battery with the Belle and Belle+ units. To recharge, the user simply has to plug in the included charging cradle and place the pendant on it. It recharges fully in three hours.

Does ResponseNow require a service contract?

No, this system does not require any long-term contract. All customers have a 30-day money-back guarantee and can cancel at any time. Those who pay yearly or quarterly do not get a refund if they cancel before the year or quarter is over.

What does the operator do in the event of an emergency?

ResponseNow connects its customers to a 24-hour call center staffed by trained operators. The operators will talk to the wearer through the pendant to assess the severity of the emergency. They will then contact the emergency professionals in the area if necessary, or they will call a predetermined emergency contact, such as a trusted friend or family member.

Does the ResponseNow system require a landline or cellular phone?

No. The In The Home system typically runs through a landline, but the company offers a landline-free option for those who need it. The Belle and Belle+ systems use the AT&T cellular network, but the user doesn’t need to have a contract or a cell phone to use the pendant.