Scam / fraud
Phone scam / Social Security
Tessa flagged a possible scam call. The family was notified in time to set up credit monitoring after their parent shared a Social Security number on the phone.
If something happens at 2am, you'll know.
Falls, check-ins, and calls for help. Peace of mind while maintaining dignity: no pendant, no button, no camera.
Start protecting your parents - from $99.99/mo
Tessa Listeners included at no hardware cost · 30-day trial · Cancel anytime · Setup takes 5 min
See how we compare to Life Alert and Medical Guardian →
Audio-only - no camera, ever
Tessa catches the moments most families miss - then it's your call.
Real alerts
Families who got a heads-up in time.
Distress / safety (facility)
Facility safety
In a dementia care setting, Tessa detected distress when another resident entered unaccompanied. The family and facility were notified; safety steps were taken to restrict unwanted access to her room.
Stories are anonymized.
Why not a pendant?
Medical alert buttons miss what Tessa hears.
- Strong Tessa advantage
- Only Tessa works this way
- Common competitor limitation
- Available with extra cost or terms
Trigger
Tessa
Best fit for familiesAudio-only; urgent alerts to your family in the appLife Alert
User presses buttonMedical Guardian
User presses buttonWearable / battery powered
Tessa
Best fit for familiesNo - plug-in Listener, no battery to charge, no device to wearLife Alert
Yes - pendant must be worn and kept chargedMedical Guardian
Yes - wearable or mobile device with batteryScam / fraud calls
Tessa
Best fit for familiesYesLife Alert
NoMedical Guardian
NoMonthly subscription
Tessa
Best fit for familiesFrom $99.99/mo · Tessa Listeners includedLife Alert
$49.95-$98.85+/mo (bundled in-home, mobile GPS, or extra buttons)Medical Guardian
$31.95-$46.95/mo (landline home to mobile with GPS)Upfront costs
Tessa
Best fit for familiesNo separate hardware fee · Listener included with planLife Alert
$197 one-time membership/install fee; equipment not sold separatelyMedical Guardian
$0 on basic home unit; mobile/smart devices often $149.95-$199.95 equipmentContract
Tessa
Best fit for familiesMonth-to-month · 30-day free trial · cancel anytimeLife Alert
Typically requires a 3-year contract; no free trial or money-back guarantee citedMedical Guardian
Month-to-month (annual prepay may lower rate)Fall detection
Tessa
Best fit for familiesYes - audio detection (no button to press)Life Alert
Not offered on Life Alert systemsMedical Guardian
Optional add-on (~$10/mo on eligible devices)App to view anytime
Tessa
Best fit for familiesYesLife Alert
NoMedical Guardian
No
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TessaBest fit for families | Life Alert | Medical Guardian | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trigger | Audio-only; urgent alerts to your family in the app | User presses button | User presses button |
| Wearable / battery powered | No - plug-in Listener, no battery to charge, no device to wear | Yes - pendant must be worn and kept charged | Yes - wearable or mobile device with battery |
| Scam / fraud calls | Yes | No | No |
| Monthly subscription | From $99.99/mo · Tessa Listeners included | $49.95-$98.85+/mo (bundled in-home, mobile GPS, or extra buttons) | $31.95-$46.95/mo (landline home to mobile with GPS) |
| Upfront costs | No separate hardware fee · Listener included with plan | $197 one-time membership/install fee; equipment not sold separately | $0 on basic home unit; mobile/smart devices often $149.95-$199.95 equipment |
| Contract | Month-to-month · 30-day free trial · cancel anytime | Typically requires a 3-year contract; no free trial or money-back guarantee cited | Month-to-month (annual prepay may lower rate) |
| Fall detection | Yes - audio detection (no button to press) | Not offered on Life Alert systems | Optional add-on (~$10/mo on eligible devices) |
| App to view anytime | Yes | No | No |
- Wearables get forgotten, left on the nightstand, or not charged when it matters.
- Pendants need a button press and something worn. Tessa needs neither - no pendant, no button.
- At night, pendants and wearables are often unworn, off the charger, or left on the nightstand. Tessa’s Listener stays plugged in.
- Typical medical alerts miss scams and in-room threats. Tessa listens in the home.
- Tessa stays on in the room - audio-only, no camera - whether or not your parent wore a device.
Competitor pricing based on published plan ranges (2025-2026); packages, bundles, and promotions vary. Medical Guardian: month-to-month from about $31.95-$46.95/mo. Life Alert: about $49.95-$98.85+/mo with typical 3-year terms and $197 upfront membership/install fee. Tessa is not a medical alert or emergency monitoring service.
Plans from $99.99/mo
1 to 3 Tessa Listeners included
Urgent alerts for falls, scams, and calls for help, then your family is notified in the Tessa Family app.
Start protecting your parents - from $99.99/mo
Tessa Listeners included at no hardware cost
30-day free trial · Cancel anytime · Setup takes 5 min
What Tessa listens for
Three situations families act on.
Examples of what Tessa can listen for. Not every sound becomes an alert.
11:47 PM - Bathroom
Possible fall.
Tessa detects a sharp impact and captures whether your parent calls for help - or the quiet that follows. Your family gets an urgent alert with when it happened and what Tessa noticed.
2:14 PM - Kitchen
Possible scam call in progress.
Tessa detects pressure patterns and unusual caller behavior - not specific words - and alerts your family so someone can check in. No one is listening to the conversation live.
1:08 AM - Bedroom
Call for help.
Tessa detects cries for help, shouts, or distress in the room and sends your family an urgent alert with when it happened and what Tessa noticed.
These are three examples. Tessa also listens for:
- Calls for help
- Falls and possible injury
- Serious medical distress
- Abuse or threats in the room
- Live phone scams
- Financial pressure
- Coercion and secrecy
- Extreme confusion
See what each alert type means including how Tessa filters routine noise and what we can't promise.
After an alert
What happens when Tessa flags something urgent
When Tessa detects a possible urgent event, your family gets a clear notification in the Tessa Family app, for family members you choose. Depending on your setup, we can also call you if you're not in the app, so your family isn't missed. Tessa is not a replacement for 911. Call emergency services if someone is in immediate danger.
Plans include app notifications and optional phone follow-up when you're not in the app.
Honest expectations
How fast · What we detect · What we can't
Alerts are typically sent within 15 minutes of an event.
How Tessa works
Plug it in.
Your Tessa Listener sits quietly in your parent's home - included with your plan. No camera, ever.
Tessa listens.
Tessa listens in the room for sounds that may need attention - falls, distress, scams, and more.
Your family gets alerted.
Clear urgent alerts go to your family in the Tessa Family app, with optional call when you're not in the app.
Heard, not watched.
Audio-only listening - not a live feed. Consent required. See our privacy policy for how data is handled.
- Your parent keeps their privacy and dignity. No one is watching - ever.
- Your family stays informed without exposing private moments. Shared audio only with permission.
- No permanent record of life at home. Data is handled securely and removed within 30 days.
Start protecting your parents - from $99.99/mo
Tessa Listeners included at no hardware cost
30-day free trial · Cancel anytime · Setup takes 5 min
What happens after you order?
Step 1
Order today
Checkout takes a few minutes. Your plan includes a 30-day free trial.
Step 2
We ship your Tessa Listener
Free shipping to the address you choose - often your parent's home. We'll email you when it's on the way.
Step 3
Plug in. Your family is connected.
Guided setup in the app (about 5 minutes). Your parent doesn't need a smartphone - just power and Wi-Fi. Alerts go to your family once Tessa is online.
Questions families ask before buying
Who gets an urgent alert?
Alerts go to family members you invite in the Tessa Family app, so the people who can check in are notified quickly.
What does an alert look like?
You receive a clear notification with what Tessa noticed, when it happened, and enough context to decide whether to call or visit.
Is Tessa emergency monitoring?
No. Tessa flags possible urgent events and notifies your family in the Tessa Family app, with optional call when you're not in the app. It does not replace 911, medical alert systems, or professional emergency monitoring. Call 911 if someone is in immediate danger.
Can I try Tessa without a long-term commitment?
Yes. Tessa is month-to-month with no annual contract required. Your plan includes a 30-day free trial, and you can cancel anytime from your account settings. Contact support if you need help with cancellation, returns, or billing questions.
How many Tessa Listeners are included?
Every plan includes Tessa Listeners at no extra hardware cost: one on Essential ($99.99/mo), two on 2-room ($199.99/mo), or three on 3-room ($299.99/mo). All plans include the Tessa Family app, free shipping, a 30-day free trial, and lifetime warranty.
Is Tessa always listening?
Tessa uses audio to identify meaningful events and patterns. It is not a live family feed, and event audio is shared only with permission.
Who needs to consent before setup?
The family organizer should have appropriate authority or consent to enable audio monitoring in the parent's home, such as power of attorney or informed consent from your parent.
What happens to my family's data?
Data is handled securely and removed within 30 days. See our privacy policy for full details on access, deletion, and controls.
Give your family a clear heads-up when it matters.
Clear alerts for the moments most families miss - audio-only, no camera.
Start protecting your parents - from $99.99/mo
Tessa Listeners included at no hardware cost
30-day free trial · Cancel anytime · Setup takes 5 min