Life Alert Emergency Response, Inc
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| Life Alert | |
|---|---|
| Type | Personal Emergency Response Services |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Headquarters | Encino, California |
| Website | http://www.lifealert.com |
Life Alert Emergency Response, Inc. is a nationwide company, with headquarters in Encino, California, which provides services that help the elderly contact emergency services. The company's system is based around a device with a button shaped as a pendant to be worn on the user at all times. Life Alert was founded by Isaac Shepher in 1987. Former Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop has appeared in commercials for Life Alert since 2004, stating that he wears one.
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[edit] How the service works
When an elderly, handicapped or any individual falls down, or has a medical emergency, he or she may be incapable of obtaining assistance because a telephone is out of reach. Life Alert sells a service consisting of a worn device and an automated dialer connected to a telephone line. When needed, he/she activates the system by pressing a button on his/her pendant (worn as part of a necklace or wristband). The pendant activates the telephone device/dialer, which calls a company call center and the telephone dialer then acts as a speaker phone to an operator who performs the service of emergency services dispatcher to notify emergency services of the condition of the customer.
The service is marketed as a way for seniors to continue living at home rather than move to a retirement home. Life Alert's services are available nationwide.[1]
[edit] Trademarks
"I've fallen and I can't get up!" This phrase was originally trademarked in September 1992 by the (now defunct) company LifeCall, until its status was cancelled in 1999. [2] In October 2002, the similar phrase "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up!" became a registered trademark of Life Alert Emergency Response, Inc. [3] In June 2007, the phrase "I've fallen and I can't get up!" also became a registered trademark of Life Alert. Both phrases are currently used on their website as well as in their commercials. [4] In late 2006, Life Alert entered into a licensing agreement with Hallmark Cards to sell greeting cards that feature an audio recording of "I've fallen and I can't get up" [5]. The classic commercial featuring this slogan was ranked Number One by USA TODAY in its 2007 list of the most memorable TV commercials from the past 25 years. [6][7]
[edit] Popular Culture
- In an episode of Roseanne, Roseanne throws her back out and proclaims "I threw my back out and I don't have one of those things! I shouldn't have laughed at that old lady on TV!"
- Life Alert was featured on The Martha Stewart Show in a segment on tech devices for health, which aired on January 23, 2008.[8]
[edit] References
- ^ Life Alert President and CEO Isaac Shepher Named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2006 Award Winner in the Greater Los Angeles Area
- ^ Latest Status Info
- ^ Latest Status Info
- ^ Life Alert Medical Emergency Response
- ^ Life Alert Licenses Famous Slogan "I've Fallen, And I Can't Get Up!" To Hallmark For New Greeting Card
- ^ Ads we can't get out of our heads - USATODAY.com
- ^ Life Alert's Slogan 'I've Fallen, And I Can't Get Up!' Ranked Number One on USA TODAY's List of Most Memorable Ad Campaigns
- ^ Life Alert featured on The Martha Stewart Show
