Valued Relationships, Inc., commonly called VRI, has more than three decades of experience in the medical alert industry. The company offers emergency response services for more than 150,000 clients across the nation. Operators provide support from U.S.-based call centers, and all VRI monitoring centers are TMA Five Diamond Certified.
Aa a member of the Medical Alert Monitoring Association (MAMA), VRI strives to reduce long-term complications from injuries or medical conditions by connecting elderly adults, and those who are disabled, with quick, compassionate support. Landline and cellular connections are available, giving seniors the flexibility to choose where and how they receive 24-hour protection from a medical alert system. Monthly subscription fees are similar to those offered by competitors, and customers can save money by paying for services annually rather than monthly.
Automatic fall detection is available for compatible devices, but overall, features are limited. VRI provides an extensive assortment of medical management services, so medical alert systems are not its main focus. Customers can also request medicine dispensers and medical vital monitoring solutions from this trusted company.
Pricing varies based on which plan and product you select, but generally, you can expect to pay slightly more than or equal to the fees charged by similar companies. Selecting a medical alert system from VRI is difficult for some seniors because the company provides very little information online, so we’ve compiled some essential facts below.
VRI Features
VRI doesn’t offer many special features for subscribers, but automatic fall detection is available for a $5 to $10 monthly fee. The pendants and wristbands use GPS tracking, which helps emergency personnel quickly locate seniors in need of assistance. Response time averages between 30 and 90 seconds when an elderly adult activates the help button, and operators are available 24 hours a day for emergency assistance and technical support.
VRI Plans for Seniors
VRI provides limited information about plans and pricing on its website, so customers may need to call for current information. If you dislike waiting on hold, call on a weekday rather than a weekend, as customers often report long hold times on Saturdays and Sundays.
Plans begin at $29.95 for the In-Home Landline system and jump to $39.95 for the cellular-powered VRI On-the-Go device. Automatic fall detection is available for $5 per month if you choose the mobile system and $10 per month for in-home units. Contracts aren’t required, so you can cancel at any time. However, you can earn a free month of service if you commit to annual payments for your subscription.
VRI In-Home Landline |
VRI In-Home Cellular |
VRI On-the-Go |
VRI Medication Management |
|
Monthly Cost |
$29.95 |
$39.95 |
$39.95 |
$29.95 per month if added to your VRI monitoring system; $39.95 per month for subscribers without a monitoring system |
Device Type |
In-home system |
In-home system |
Mobile system |
Medicine Dispenser |
Connection |
Landline |
Cellular |
Cellular |
N/A |
Fall Detection |
$10 per month |
$10 per month |
$5 per month |
N/A |
VRI Device Information and Pricing
VRI In-Home Landline
Device Information
The VRI In-Home Landline device is a traditional medical alert system that uses a landline connection. Setup is simple, and tech support is available around-the-clock if you need assistance. Automatic fall detection is available for an additional $10 monthly fee.
Pricing
The VRI In-Home Landline unit costs $29.95 per month.
VRI In-Home Cellular
Device Information
The VRI In-Home Cellular system is the same unit as the VRI landline system except it uses a cellular connection instead of a landline connection. Automatic fall detection is available for a $10 monthly fee.
Pricing
The VRI In-Home Cellular unit costs $39.95 per month.
VRI On-the-Go
Device Information
The VRI On-the-Go medical alert system is a mobile unit with GPS technology. Fall detection is available for an additional $5 monthly fee.
Pricing
The VRI On-the-Go device costs $39.95 per month.
Pros and Cons of VRI devices
As with other medical alert systems, VRI devices offer a mixture of advantages and drawbacks. The company’s medical alert systems have fewer features than competitors, and the prices are higher than those associated with budget-friendly companies, such as MobileHelp and Bay Alarm Medical.
VRI Pros:
- Replacements are free, even if you lose or damage the original unit
- Customers receive a free month of service with an annual subscription
- No shipping, cancellation or activation fees
- Long-term contracts aren’t required
- Landline and cellular connections are available
- Fall detection is an option
- Quick response times
- TMA Five Diamond Certified Monitoring Center
VRI Cons:
- Fall detection has a $5 to $10 monthly fee
- Vague pricing info online
- Customer support is often short staffed on the weekends
- Very few special features or add-ons available
Are VRI Medical Alert Solutions Right for You?
VRI medical alert systems are best for seniors who are also interested in the company’s other products, such as the medication dispenser or the vitals monitoring program. This is because VRI doesn’t focus exclusively on the production of medical alert systems, so prices are sometimes higher than those of competitors.
Medical alert systems are beneficial for many elderly adults and people who are disabled, but kids and teens can also use them. Parents and caretakers often appreciate the peace of mind associated with medical alert systems, especially when their loved ones don’t have a cell phone that they can navigate easily.
Here are some people who may benefit from one of VRI’s medical alert systems:
- Elderly adults who live in assisted living facilities, including nursing homes
- Active seniors who need on-the-go protection while running errands or attending medical appointments
- Adults who travel alone for work or leisure
- Kids who stay home alone after school while a parent or caregiver works
- Individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
- Adults who sleepwalk and find themselves in unfamiliar environments
- Disabled adults who need a wearable medical device for emergency situations
- Adults with hearing loss or vision loss
- Adults who experience side effects, such as dizziness and blurred vision, from prescription medications
This is not a full list of people who may benefit from a monitoring device, such as a medical alert system. Medical alert systems are beneficial for anyone who wants convenient access to around-the-clock support.
Things to Consider When Choosing a VRI Device
VRI has a small selection of medical alert systems, but it’s still important to consider the pros and cons of each device. If you want protection no matter where life brings you, make sure you choose the On-the-Go unit. Otherwise, you’re limited to protection in and around your home, which can pose a problem if you get injured while exploring your community or another area.
Automatic fall detection is an optional feature, but it’s an important one. Think about the likelihood of you falling while wearing your medical alert device. A fall can happen at any time, even if you don’t consider yourself clumsy or accident prone. If you become injured and cannot contact help on your own, a medical alert system with automatic fall detection may save your life.
You should also consider your budget when purchasing a medical alert system from VRI. If you can afford to pay your monthly subscription fees in advance, you can take advantage of the discount for customers who pay for services on an annual basis rather than a monthly one.
Selecting the right medical alert system can get tricky, but it’s easy to narrow down your search with the limited selection of devices from VRI. Think about the features you need, and contact customer support if you have unanswered questions. A quality medical alert system with a quick response team can help you make a full recovery if an emergency occurs, so choose carefully.