Life Alert
Encyclopedia
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 main unit and a small wireless help button that is worn on the user at all times. Life Alert was founded by Isaac Shepher and minority owners, Arie Amir, Zohar Loshitzer, and Mark William Turenshine in 1987. Former Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop
has appeared in commercials for Life Alert since 1992, stating that he wears one.
. When an elderly or handicapped person falls down and cannot get up, or has an emergency, such as a break-in, a telephone may be out of reach. To get quick assistance, the customer simply presses a button on the pendant. This activates the automated dialer and calls a company call center. The dialer then works as a speaker phone. At the other end is an emergency services dispatcher
to alert the authorities to the customer's predicament.
The service is marketed as a way for seniors to continue living at home rather than move to a retirement home
and is available nationwide.
ed in September 1992 by LifeCall that went out of business in 1993. In June 2007, it was registered as a trademark of Life Alert Emergency Response, Inc., which first used the slogan in its commercials in 1987. A similar phrase, "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up!", was registered by Life Alert in October 2002. Both phrases have been used in Life Alert TV commercials since 1987 and have been featured on its websites. 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. 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".
Old age
Old age consists of ages nearing or surpassing the average life span of human beings, and thus the end of the human life cycle...
contact emergency services. The company's system is based around a main unit and a small wireless help button that is worn on the user at all times. Life Alert was founded by Isaac Shepher and minority owners, Arie Amir, Zohar Loshitzer, and Mark William Turenshine in 1987. Former Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop
C. Everett Koop
Charles Everett Koop, MD is an American pediatric surgeon and public health administrator. He was a vice admiral in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and served as thirteenth Surgeon General of the United States under President Ronald Reagan from 1982 to 1989.-Early years:Koop was born...
has appeared in commercials for Life Alert since 1992, stating that he wears one.
About the Life Alert service
Life Alert service consists of a pendant-shaped device, worn on a necklace or wristband, and an automated dialer connected to a telephone lineTelephone line
A telephone line or telephone circuit is a single-user circuit on a telephone communication system...
. When an elderly or handicapped person falls down and cannot get up, or has an emergency, such as a break-in, a telephone may be out of reach. To get quick assistance, the customer simply presses a button on the pendant. This activates the automated dialer and calls a company call center. The dialer then works as a speaker phone. At the other end is an emergency services dispatcher
Dispatcher
Dispatchers are communications personnel responsible for receiving and transmitting pure and reliable messages, tracking vehicles and equipment, and recording other important information...
to alert the authorities to the customer's predicament.
The service is marketed as a way for seniors to continue living at home rather than move to a retirement home
Retirement home
A retirement home is a multi-residence housing facility intended for senior citizens. Typically each person or couple in the home has an apartment-style room or suite of rooms. Additional facilities are provided within the building, including facilities for meals, gathering, recreation, and some...
and is available nationwide.
Trademarks
The phrase "I've fallen and I can't get up!" was originally trademarkTrademark
A trademark, trade mark, or trade-mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual, business organization, or other legal entity to identify that the products or services to consumers with which the trademark appears originate from a unique source, and to distinguish its products or...
ed in September 1992 by LifeCall that went out of business in 1993. In June 2007, it was registered as a trademark of Life Alert Emergency Response, Inc., which first used the slogan in its commercials in 1987. A similar phrase, "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up!", was registered by Life Alert in October 2002. Both phrases have been used in Life Alert TV commercials since 1987 and have been featured on its websites. 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. In late 2006, Life Alert entered into a licensing agreement with Hallmark Cards
Hallmark Cards
Hallmark Cards is a privately owned American company based in Kansas City, Missouri. Founded in 1910 by Joyce C. Hall, Hallmark is the largest manufacturer of greeting cards in the United States. In 1985, the company was awarded the National Medal of Arts....
to sell greeting cards that feature an audio recording of "I've fallen and I can't get up".
Popular culture
- In an episode of RoseanneRoseanne (TV series)Roseanne is an American sitcom broadcast on ABC from October 18, 1988 to May 20, 1997. Starring Roseanne Barr, the show revolved around the Conners, an Illinois working class family...
, Roseanne throws her back out and proclaims "I can't get up 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.
- In the opening of AnimaniacsAnimaniacsSteven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs, usually referred to as simply Animaniacs, is an American animated series, distributed by Warner Bros. Television and produced by Amblin Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation. The cartoon was the second animated series produced by the collaboration of Steven...
episode 50, Yakko, Wakko and Dot Warner are shown sliding around on an icy sidewalk. Dot slips off-screen and utters this sentence. - On Family Matters, Steve Urkel frequently used the phrase.
- The phrase is used in Pokémon episode A Poké-BLOCK Party.
- In an episode of 30 Rock30 Rock30 Rock is an American television comedy series created by Tina Fey that airs on NBC. The series is loosely based on Fey's experiences as head writer for Saturday Night Live...
Liz Lemon answers Jack Donaghy's jab at her dying alone by showing him her Life Alert necklace. - The Super Natural episode mentions Life Alert famous line "fallen, and can't get up"
- Jay LenoJay LenoJames Douglas Muir "Jay" Leno is an American stand-up comedian and television host.From 1992 to 2009, Leno was the host of NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Beginning in September 2009, Leno started a primetime talk show, titled The Jay Leno Show, which aired weeknights at 10:00 p.m. ,...
frequently refers to Life Alert or its slogan.