The Verizon SureResponse Personal Monitor system was designed to fulfill the promise of a single seamless mobile emergency alert system that can be used both in and out of their homes. Although the Verizon SureResponse stopped selling back in 2014, there are other current alternatives that accomplish the same goals. See Verizon Medical Alert Systems 2022.
Verizon Medical Alert Systems 2022 – Top Choices Reviewed
LifeFone VIPx（1-877-352-1292) In silver, white, black. – The LifeFone VIPx is a mobile device that connects through Verizon’s wireless network (VZW). Very lightweight, with up to 16 days of battery life (outstanding). LifeFone is a long-established medical alert monitoring service provider. Their product wins our top recommendation for a Verizon medical alert because of its small profile, long battery life, good response time, and zero equipment fee. See video demo >
Mini Guardian (1-800-311-6142) In silver, white, black. – Medical Guardian is a highly popular brand that also offers Verizon Wireless (VZW) medical alert devices. Their Mini Guardian device is based on the smallest mobile device hardware on the market. The Medical Guardian Mini is best recommended for seniors who value size and speed. Both factors tested well in comparison to others. See video demo >
Bay Alarm Medical In-Home System (1-855-397-9964) – Bay Alarm Medical’s in-home medical alert system is recommended for people looking for in-home medical alert coverage that works with Verizon phone lines. This is because the Bay Alarm system works with Verizon landlines and Verizon FIOS digital phone lines. In addition, it tested well for response time, backup battery life and activation range. Learn more >
Verizon Care Smartwatch – This is a smartwatch designed for the elderly. It works through Verizon’s connected device plan, which does not include emergency monitoring help. Instead, the subscriber can quickly call their designated emergency contact by pressing the emergency button on the smartwatch. Learn more >
As of 12/31/2014, Verizon has stopped selling the SureResponse mobile device.
Through Verizon, seniors had the choice of a water-resistant SureResponse emergency button pendant that worked both in and out their home. The pendant was also a GPS tracker that will register the user’s location. For similar products, please visit the GPS mobile alert reviews section. Although the concept of the Verizon SureResponse was impeccable, the lukewarm customer feedback for the system shed light on the practical challenges of adopting the system.
Reports of difficulties experienced with the system, a short battery life and a 2-year contract requirement have discouraged the rate of adoption for this system. For those who were already Sureresponse customers at the time of discontinuation, the service ran on for some time before it all ended in Nov 2016.
Fortunately, newer and more user-friendly medical alert devices that also use Verizon Wireless are currently available. The best ones overcome the key problems the original SureResponse presented. For example, the LifeFone VIPx can deliver up to 16 days of battery life, which far exceeds the 1 to 1.5 days that customers experienced with the SureResponse.
In addition, unlike the Verizon SureResponse, LifeFone and Medical Guardian do not tie their medical alert customers to long-term contracts.
Regardless, we retain this review for readers who are curious to learn more about the expired Verizon Surereponse product.
Pros
In & Out Of The Home Use – The SureResponse emergency help button pendant (mobile wearable device) works both in and out of users’ homes to activate alarms calls.
GPS Tracking – GPS tracking allows the location of the senior user to be beamed to monitoring center agents, so they know where to send help. Authorized family and caregivers can use GPS tracking to locate where user is as well.
Waterproof Pendant – The emergency button pendant is waterproof and can be worn in showers and baths (can sustain temporary shallow submersion in water).
Cons
2-year Contract – The system requires a two-year contract commitment unless the user pays $220+ for the initial equipment cost.
Frequent Charging Required – It could be a hassle for senior users to have to charge their personal wearable devices almost every day.
Good Verizon Reception Needed – It will not work where Verizon wireless reception is weak.
Lukewarm Customer Feedback – Customer reviews of the product are overall worrying.
Verizon SureResponse Detailed Review
Background
Verizon Wireless VZW is one of the largest telecommunications networks in the US. In late 2012, Verizon launched the SureResponse Personal Monitor system, a GPS mobile personal emergency response system (MPERS) that promised lots of outstanding features. (See the Mobile Medical Alert Systems With GPS Reviews for more comparisons.)
In entering the personal emergency response systems market, Verizon is competing with established systems offered by Medical Guardian and LifeFone.
At that time (2014 and earlier), the concept of a small, waterproof wearable device that seamlessly works both at home and outside was less common. Today (in 2022), these devices have become a standard product offering. See our updated Verizon medical alerts review here.
How It Works
Senior users of the system use a portable wearable device that can be worn with a lanyard around the neck, attached to a wrist strap, or clipped to the belt. The same device is worn and used both at home and outside.
By pressing the emergency help button, this device will initiate a call to the monitoring center where SureResponse Care Agents are standing by to help the user. The call is routed through the Verizon cellular network. Through the speakerphone on the SureResponse button device, a 2-way conversation is established, and the agent will assist the senior user.
The agent will also have information about the user’s location through the GPS tracking function of the device. This GPS locator information is also shared through the SureResponse Online dashboard with authorized users such as children, family and caregivers of the senior using the device.
Mobile medical alert systems work in somewhat different ways, with different sorts of equipment. One advantage of the Verizon Sure Response system is that seniors can wear the same pendant for both in and out of home use. You can compare how this to other systems in the Verizon Medical Alert Systems section.
Cost
The minimum cost to get set-up on the system is about $55. This breaks down into the cost of the Verizon mobile personal monitor for $19.99 with a two-year contract or $229.99 otherwise. Besides that, there is a $35 activation fee.
There is a $30 a month monthly access charge for ongoing alert calls monitoring.
The monthly access charge includes 60 minutes of cell phone convenience calls. The elderly user can call into the monitoring help center and request for a call to be patched through to another number. Overage charges about the 60 minutes used is 45 cents a minute.
Contract
There is a 2-year contract requirement if users choose to get the equipment at the steep discount of $19.99.
There is an early termination fee of around $175. There may also be a restocking fee on top of that.
The Verizon Sure Response system is usually covered by a 7 or 14 money back guarantee.
While contracts used to be required for “life alert” type products, the industry has transitioned to a point where contracts are no longer the norm. These contract terms were not competitive even back in 2012 to 2014, when the Verizon SureResponse was still available.
For an updated comparison, if you shop for Verizon medical alert devices today, you will find that an overwhelming majority of companies will not tie their customers down to long-term contracts.
Equipment Overview
Docking Station
The main equipment items of this system is the Docking Station charger and the mobile SureResponse device. The Docking Station is used to charge the SureResponse device. Note that this is 2014 technology.
As a comparison, newer Verizon devices by medical alert companies have smaller docking stations. See photo:
SureResponse Mobile Wearable Device
The SureResponse wearable mobile device is akin to the emergency button pendant for any standard home medical alert system; but besides the help button, it also houses the emergency help button, GPS tracker and small two-way speakerphone. It is a small pendant unit that measures 2.4″ (H) x 1.7″ (W) x 0.7″ (D) and weighs 1.9 oz. This is heavier when compared to medical alert buttons in home-based systems, which typically weigh around 0.4 to 0.5 oz. The Sure Response wearable device contains an in-built tiny speakerphone, which adds to its weight.
One downside of this pendant, as pointed out by users, is that the button tends to be easily activated by mistake these ways: when docking it into the charging station for recharging, and when sleeping with it in bed.
Mobile Device Is Waterproof
The SureResponse alert device is waterproof, splash and rain resistant. It can be worn in the shower or bath. However, it should be not submerged in water for long periods, or worn when swimming, snorkeling or diving. According to Verizon’s website, the SureResponse device is IPX7 rated, which means that “it can sustain temporary immersion in one meter (39 inches) of water for up to 30 minutes.”
Being waterproof is a plus, as seniors are very susceptible to falls in showers and baths. Waterproof pendants are taken for granted in home medical alert systems, but can be a challenge to implement in mobile systems.
Accessories
The Verizon SureResponse Personal Monitor package includes a number of accessories, besides the main equipment items. There is a travel charger, wrist strap, belt clip and lanyard.
Battery Recharge
According to Verizon’s website, the SureResponse alert device can hold a charge of up to 36 hours (1 1/2 days) with each recharge. A number of users have described that they need to recharge their devices almost every day, confirming the product’s official specifications. Many products users were dissatisfied with the frequent recharging required.
Newer medical alert devices using Verizon have significantly longer battery life. As a comparison, this current Verizon device from LifeFone can last as long as 16 days on backup battery. It overcomes the problem Verizon SureResponse had of requiring frequent recharging.
Verizon Wireless Service
The Verizon mobile medical alert system works through the Verizon wireless network (VZW). There is no necessity to subscribe to extra wireless services or have a land or home phone line for the service to work. The downside is that the system will not be able to operate where Verizon cellular reception is weak.
For more information, check out our Verizon Medical Alert Systems review where several medical alert systems and how they work with Verizon are explained.
The Docking Station come with outlets to connect to a land telephone line connection. In future updates, the company plans to allow emergency phone calls to be routed through home phone lines as well. As of early Jan 2014, this feature is not yet active.
Installation
Installation and activation instructions are provided in the user guide that comes in the box. For customers needing extra assistance, there is an option to have a technician do the installation at your home, for the price of $149.
Each Sure Response mobile device needs to be “paired” with the docking station for the system to function. The pairing has automatically been done for the any new set of docking station and wearable mobile device. The is all explained in the user guide, and most users do not seem to have any problems with the “pairing” concept. However, it does introduce a tad more complexity to the installation of replacement of wearable device units, especially when compared to most other medical alert systems.
Complaints/ Customer Reviews
The number of Verizon SureResponse complaints is worrying. For sure, there are customers who are really enthusiastic about this product, but the overall tone from customer reviews is not upbeat. On the Verizon website, we found an average rating of 2.5 out of 5 from 20 customers (as of Jul 2014), and only 42% would recommend the product. Below are samples that echo what other users are facing:
“…It is difficult for [the] elderly to place in the recharging device and it does require daily charging. That battery issue is my real concern.” From Beth48.
“Device is too easy to set off (button should be inset so not possible to set off if you cross your arms while wearing with any of the carry devices); battery life is awful; not recommended for anyone who is getting less that 4 bars where they live.” From 9knife.
Overall
Overall, we think that Verizon has made a bold and admirable attempt to solve the mobile medical alert puzzle to bring about a seamless system that works both at home and outside. On a practical level, there appears to be room for improvement. Although the concept sounds beautiful and even very doable, the technology behind it is not as simple as one may imagine. In any case, Verizon has decided to stop selling the product (as of Dec 2014).
If you or your parents are looking for a mobile alert device, there are other compatible systems in the market to compare the Sureresponse device with. A mobile emergency alert device like the LifeFone mobile alert with GPS is close in concept to the Verizon SureResponse system – it connects through Verizon’s network and offers fall detection for a small additional fee. Another option to look at is the slim-profile Medical Guardian’s Mini Guardian pendant.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this review, the information is supplied without warranties of any kind. We advise all readers to do careful due diligence before purchasing. Take time to visit the company’s website and speak with their representatives.
- Bay Alarm Medical In-Home Cellular Response Speed 46% Faster in 2023 - July 5, 2023
- Medical Alert Systems For Landlines - November 20, 2022
- The Truth About Long-Range Medical Alert Systems - May 1, 2022
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As of November 2016, Verizon is discontinuing the SureResponse service.
The device itself had battery problems. I have had to replace my mom’s unit multiple times. Once for a connectivity issue and twice for battery failure. Very troubling for a device that is supposed to be for safety.