Emergency Alert system - Sure Response

Nikesboy

Verizon Wireless recently rolled out the "SureResponse" product that is designed to provide an emergency response with the push of a button.  The unit is registered with a Verizon Call Center who has primary responder numbers and will be able to talk to the user through the button.  A unique feature is that it can be taken in the shower though it cannot stay immersed in water.

Unfortunately, the product is very poorly designed.  It seems clear that the product just wasn't "vetted" properly and development team could not have run a prototype by a user group.  The button is pretty easy to accidentally press which is not a huge problem, at least not for the user.  It could, however, become a large problem for the call center.

The bigger problem is that the unit and the accompanying docking stations are too cumbersome for those who may not be as nimble or dexterous as they once were.  Truth be told, those of us in our 50"s had trouble getting the unit in the charging station. 

The charger requires that the response unit remain in the holster.  However, the user must remove the belt clip, lanyard or wrist band, depending upon how they carry the unit with them and that can be difficult even for those who can generally master these things with little or no trouble.  The charging points are very difficult to match and it's also very easy to inadvertently place the unit on standby when trying to cradle the unit and that really becomes problematic. 

All in all, it was a good idea but only on paper.  The product needs many improvements before it is really ready for prime time.  It would have been better to have created an App for a smart phone that would contact the call center or to set up the phones such that an emergency call might go to the call center.  The company would not get the fee for the unit but they surely could charge for having the call center/emergency center available.

I recommend searching for another alternative at this point.  The product is poorly designed and still requires a 2 year contract so don't get caught with that.

robd1178

I'm not sure if your using the same setup I have for both my mother and my grandmother, but I haven't seen or heard any issues from either one of them.

I set both of their systems up, and have the "recievers" on the lanyards.  I recall 1 incident that my mother accidentally hit the button when taking the lanyard off, other than that, I've handled them several times during the setup, and when I'm visiting and making sure they are fully charged, I've never had an issue with the button.

As for charging, like I said, I have both units setup with the lanyard, and it snaps right into the charger with the lanyard still attached.  I couldn't tell you if the same goes with the belt clip or wrist strap, I put those back in the boxes and took them with me.  The way I see it, it would do no good on a belt or wrapped around a wrist if either one of them fell or had an issue, just a personal opinion.

The call center people are great.  I make sure to test both units monthly like they suggested, and they always respond quickly and kindly.

After reading your comment about just having a smartphone app, I just wanted to say that I personally don't think that would work.  My mother and grandmother are older, and they can barely figure out how to dial a regular cell phone, I couldn't imagine them trying to figure out a smartphone, or how to open an app and use it correctly.  Not to mention, if they were going to carry around a phone with an app, then they might as well call for help, and wouldn't need a call center at all.

I would recommend sureresponse, my only complaint is they don't discount multiple units.  Overall, it gives peace of mind!