DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT LOAN CLOSET

DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT LOAN CLOSET

Available in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego & Ventura Counties, California

HELPING HANDS SENIOR FOUNDATION

Are you in need of medical equipment and are having a hard time obtaining it through your insurance or because of financial constraints?

    Helping Hands Senior Foundation’s Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Loan Closet is like a lending library with helpful equipment instead of books. It is a free community resource where you may borrow basic home medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, rollators, canes, shower benches and chairs, raised commode seats, and more. Inventory varies according to donations obtained. There is no charge associated with obtaining the equipment we have to give. Residents of six Southern California counties are eligible: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura.

    We are grateful to receive donated gently used or new equipment from people who no longer need it. After checking the equipment to make sure it is in good working order and then giving it a cleaning, we then make it available to someone to improve their safety and mobility. We lend equipment for a set period of time, as well as for as long as the person needs. It also may be given away in certain cases. When the equipment is returned, it is checked and cleaned again, then made available for the next person.

    To connect to our Loan Closet service go to the PRO Wellness Village and click on our page Helping Hands Senior Foundation. When you call us, you will be asked to complete a registration for our program, which takes an average of 10–15 minutes. You will let us know what it is you are looking for, as well as where you are located and some health conditions you may be experiencing.

    After the initial intake, we assign a care coordinator to help you access the equipment we have. The time from intake to contact from the care coordinator is a few business days. We are unable to provide same-day access.

    If we do not have your requested item in house, your care coordinator will provide referrals and also give reliable and compassionate guidance to obtain it. Again, all our services are free. We may provide referrals to other providers that do charge a fee, however.

    Should you wish to donate items to be used in our Loan Closet, please contact our Outreach Director, Melissa Hartman.

    Please include a photo of all items to be donated in your email communications. Based on need and space available, we will determine if we are able to accept the donation. We ask that you clean your items to the best of your ability. We ensure that all donors receive a donation receipt.

    Many recipients tell us how important the Loan Closet is to them. After hip replacement surgery, a client described the benefits of having a wheelchair while recovering. Another, who came to Helping Hands Senior Foundation in search of housing, obtained a quad cane to allow safe navigation of his new neighborhood. A son taking care of his father was able to obtain a cane and then a walker as his father’s need for ambulatory assistance changed. Once a client, always a client—we are able to help people adapt and still maintain their independence.

    Whether you are looking for medical equipment for yourself or a loved one or wanting to donate a gift that will help someone maintain their independence and keep them safe, please think of Helping Hands Senior Foundation.

    Helping Hands Senior Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization founded in 2015 to serve seniors with the mission of “Helping disabled seniors learn about resources to promote independence and quality of life.” Our office is in the San Fernando valley, with a staff of twelve and a service area of six Southern California counties: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura. To date, we have served 33,000 clients: mostly very low income, with limited mobility, isolated, at risk of poor nutrition, and with one or more chronic diseases, including dementia and mental illness. Contact us with help for DME, placement, low-cost caregivers, and more.

Helping Hands Senior Foundation became members of the Wellness Village in January 2021 and have helped many of our constituents to date – Thank you Helping Hands Senior Foundation. Their office hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. Pacific Standard Time.