Overview
Lively, formerly known as GreatCall, takes a different approach to medical alert systems than traditional providers like Bay Alarm Medical or Medical Guardian. Rather than focusing exclusively on emergency monitoring, Lively positions itself as a health and safety ecosystem — combining emergency response, nurse access, and health tools into a package that integrates with simplified phones and a dedicated wearable device.
Owned by Best Buy Health since 2018, Lively benefits from retail distribution that no other medical alert company can match. You can buy a Lively device at Best Buy, see it in person, and get setup help from store staff. For families who are not comfortable ordering online, this accessibility matters.
After testing the Lively Wearable2 and evaluating the full Health & Safety package, we rate Lively 4.1 out of 5. It is a solid system with unique strengths — particularly the nurse hotline and the all-in-one phone option — but the pricing structure and limited caregiver app hold it back from the top tier.
The Lively Ecosystem
Understanding Lively requires understanding that it is not just a medical alert — it is a suite of services sold as tiered packages.
Lively Wearable2
The Wearable2 is Lively's dedicated medical alert device. It is a small, lightweight clip-on device that can be worn on a lanyard, belt, or keychain. It includes a single Urgent Response button, built-in GPS, automatic fall detection, and two-way voice.
The device connects to the cellular network independently — no smartphone pairing or Lively phone required. When the button is pressed or a fall is detected, the device connects to Lively's Urgent Response center. The Wearable2 costs approximately $79.99 upfront plus the monthly Health & Safety package.
The device is discreet and comfortable to wear all day. It is not a smartwatch or a fashion piece — it is a functional medical alert device with a focused purpose. Battery life is approximately one day, requiring nightly charging.
Jitterbug Smart Phone
Lively's Jitterbug Smart is a simplified smartphone designed specifically for seniors. It features a large, easy-to-read screen, simplified menus, a dedicated Urgent Response button on the home screen, and compatibility with the Health & Safety services.
For seniors who need both a phone and a medical alert, the Jitterbug eliminates the need for two devices. The phone's simplified interface removes the confusion of a standard smartphone while keeping essential functionality — calls, texts, camera, and internet access.
The Jitterbug requires a monthly phone plan plus the Health & Safety package, which pushes the total monthly cost higher than standalone medical alerts. But for seniors who would be buying a phone plan anyway, the incremental cost of adding Urgent Response is modest.
Jitterbug Flip Phone
For seniors who prefer a traditional flip phone, the Jitterbug Flip offers the same Urgent Response integration in a clamshell form factor. Large buttons, simple menus, loud speaker, and a dedicated emergency button. It is the most basic option in the lineup and the best choice for seniors who want a phone for calls and nothing else.
Health & Safety Package
Lively's Health & Safety package is the subscription that enables the emergency and health services. It comes in tiers.
Basic (starting around $24.99/month) includes Urgent Response — 24/7 access to trained agents who can dispatch 911 and notify emergency contacts.
Preferred (higher tier) adds the Nurse On-Call service, which connects to a registered nurse 24/7 for non-emergency health questions. It also includes a daily health tips service.
Premium includes all features plus Lively Link for caregivers, enhanced location services, and additional health tools.
The nurse hotline is a genuinely useful feature that traditional medical alert companies do not offer. Being able to call a registered nurse at 2 AM to ask whether chest tightness warrants an ER visit or can wait until morning is a practical benefit that goes beyond emergency response.
Urgent Response
Lively's emergency service works differently from traditional monitoring centers. When you press the Urgent Response button, you are connected to a certified agent (IAED-trained in emergency medical dispatch) who assesses the situation, dispatches 911 if needed, stays on the line until help arrives, and contacts your designated emergency contacts.
Response time averages approximately 30 to 45 seconds to reach an agent. The agents follow established emergency dispatch protocols, similar to what you would experience calling 911 directly, but with the added benefit that your GPS location is automatically shared and your emergency contacts are notified simultaneously.
This is not a traditional monitoring center in the way that Bay Alarm Medical or Medical Guardian operate their centers. Traditional centers are dedicated facilities staffed specifically for medical alert customers. Lively's service handles the same function effectively, but the operational model is different.
Fall Detection
Automatic fall detection is available on the Wearable2 and compatible Jitterbug phones as part of the Health & Safety package. The technology uses accelerometer sensors to detect sudden falls and automatically triggers an Urgent Response call.
In our testing, fall detection accuracy was average for the industry — reliable for hard, sudden falls and less effective for slow falls or falls from seated positions. The Wearable2's clip-on placement means detection consistency depends on where the device is worn. Body-worn (on a belt or lanyard) provided better results than pocket carry.
Caregiver Features — Lively Link
Lively Link is the companion app for caregivers. Available on iOS and Android, it provides location information for the Wearable2 or Jitterbug user, emergency notifications, activity history, and basic account management.
The app is functional but limited compared to Medical Guardian's MyGuardian. There is no geofencing, no real-time continuous tracking map, and no activity pattern analysis. For families who want basic awareness of their loved one's location and emergency status, Lively Link works. For families who want comprehensive remote monitoring, Medical Guardian is the better platform.
Pricing and Value
Lively's pricing is more complex than traditional medical alerts because of the tiered package structure and the separation of device cost from service cost.
- Wearable2 device: ~$79.99 upfront
- Health & Safety Basic: ~$24.99/month
- Health & Safety Preferred: ~$34.99/month
- Health & Safety Premium: ~$49.99/month
- Jitterbug phone plans: Additional cost (varies)
For the Wearable2 with basic Urgent Response, the effective cost is comparable to mid-range competitors. The upfront device cost is a differentiator — most traditional medical alert companies include equipment at no charge.
The value proposition improves if you use the nurse hotline, the Jitterbug phone integration, or the combination of services. It weakens if you only want basic medical alert monitoring, where Bay Alarm Medical ($27.95/month, no equipment cost, faster response time) offers better pure value.
Who Lively Is Best For
Lively is our recommendation for seniors who want a simplified phone and medical alert in one package (Jitterbug), families who value the nurse hotline for non-emergency health guidance, seniors who prefer buying from a retail store (Best Buy) rather than ordering online, and anyone who wants an all-in-one health and safety ecosystem rather than just emergency response.
Lively may not be the best choice if you want the fastest response time (Bay Alarm Medical wins), the best caregiver app (Medical Guardian wins), the lowest monthly cost (MobileHelp wins), or a modern smartwatch option (Bay Alarm's SOS Smartwatch wins).
The Bottom Line
Lively is a different kind of medical alert company. The Urgent Response service is competent, the nurse hotline is genuinely useful, and the Jitterbug phone integration solves a real problem for seniors who need both a phone and an alert system. Best Buy's retail distribution makes it the most accessible option for families who want to see and try before they buy.
But for pure medical alert value — response speed, monthly cost, equipment quality, and caregiver app — traditional providers like Bay Alarm Medical and Medical Guardian offer more for less. Lively's strength is the ecosystem, not any single feature.
We rate Lively 4.1 out of 5 — a good option for the right person, particularly Jitterbug phone users and families who value the nurse hotline.