Best Buy Health announced Lively Flip, an easy-to-use flip phone to help older adults stay connected to the family, friends and the health services they need.
Touted as the next evolution of GreatCall’s Jitterbug, the device is designed to help seniors live their best possible lives. Voice services with Alexa are an all-new, enhanced feature that gives users the option to use their voice to make calls, write texts, check the weather and more.
Users can ask general and phone-specific questions using phrases such as, “Alexa, ask Lively to call Barbara,” or “Alexa, what is the weather in Seattle?,” that help make navigating the phone and staying connected easier than ever.
Why does it matter?
Mobile phones play an important role in keeping older adults connected to family and friends. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, their use has grown in significance and is often the only way to stay connected as a result of social distancing.
According to a recent survey commissioned by Best Buy Health, 60% of older adults believe that their cell phone has made them feel more connected to family and friends during the pandemic — and nearly half said their phone’s ability to keep them connected during this time has increased in importance.
In addition to enabling connections, the introduction of voice services through Alexa on the Lively Flip combines the three top features and services older adults want and need in a cell phone: emergency notification (47%), voice assistance (43%) and telehealth access (24%).
The Lively Flip also comes with a large screen, big and ergonomically-designed buttons, list-based menu, powerful speaker, intuitive interface for improved notifications, and easy contacts management and texting. The phone’s dedicated Urgent Response button and access to doctors and nurses through Urgent Care services provide peace of mind 24/7. The Lively Flip’s refreshed UI/UX also gives the device the capability to integrate future services as they become part of the offering, so that older adults can feel safe, connected and independent.
The Lively Flip is available for $99.99 (excluding taxes) with a one-time activation fee of $35. Monthly plans are available for as low as $14.99 per month (excluding taxes), with Health & Safety Packages ranging from $19.99 (excluding taxes). Urgent Response is available with the purchase of a Lively Health & Safety Package. Urgent Care is available with the purchase of a Preferred or Ultimate Health & Safety Package. The Lively Flip will be available for purchase in-store and online at Best Buy and Rite Aid in late September 2020 and at Walgreens in late October 2020. It can also be purchased at GreatCall.com and through direct sales toll-free numbers.
On the record
“We’re proud to introduce the new Lively Flip. In addition to making it easier for older adults to stay connected to loved ones, it offers an entire response team, from personal operators to tech support and urgent response agents,” said Bill Yates, Chief Marketing Officer of Best Buy Health. “We know that our customers value the simplicity, reliability and easy access to our health and safety services. What we’ve done with the new Lively Flip is increased the accessibility of that connection and support with voice services through Amazon Alexa.”
The context
Using digital health technologies for senior care is booming, and we have prepared a report dedicated to this market. Called “Senior Care 2.0“, it is now available for purchase through our sister website DHbriefs. You can read what it’s all about from here.