Have you ever wondered what to do with unwanted medical equipment or supplies? If you rent the equipment, call the company to pick it up. If you own the equipment, you must think of a way to unload it. Most don’t want to throw it into the trash because it’s still usable. Plus, the guilt from all the money spent on the various items. Some people consider donating to doctor’s offices, hospitals, or senior living facilities, but most places do not want these items because of limited storage space. Some non-profits will take used or unwanted medical equipment or supplies, and you can find a California location through Ability Tools.
Ability Tools, formerly the AT Network, is California’s Assistive Technology Act Program. They provide a variety of services for Californians of all ages with disabilities. They connect people with resources needed and provide in-person or webinar training. You can learn more by visiting their website. They also provide people with information on non-profits that provide medical equipment or supplies to low-income families with disabilities for free or low cost, depending upon the program. You can learn more about your local Reuse Program by visiting Ability Tools’ Reuse Programs page.
What medical equipment or supplies do Reuse Programs accept or have available for people?
Gently used medical equipment or unused healthcare supplies can be donated. Examples include:
- Bathroom aids
- Shower seats
- Tub transfer benches
- Toilet risers
- Toilet arms
- Shower handrails
- Bedroom aids
- Side rails
- Bedside tables
- Food cradles
- Positioning cushions
- Other adaptive equipment
- poles
- monitoring alarms
- trays
- seat cushions
- Walker baskets, etc.
- Mobility aids
- Standard front-wheel walkers
- Upright walkers
- Parkinson’s rollators
- Walkers with seats
- Wheelchairs
- Canes
- Knee scooters
- crutches
- Breathing aids such as portable oxygen concentrators
- Gait belts
- Pillboxes
- Unopened personal hygiene items
- Liquid nutritional supplements not opened and not expired such as Boost, Ensure, etc.
- Incontinence supplies such as adult diapers or chuxs or insert pads
- Commodes
Each place is different, so it is best to look at the Reuse Programs website to see what they will take or if they can refer you to another location to donate items.
Some items, such as unused medications, are difficult to donate, especially opened medication. A possible resource is RAMP (Recycled Aids Medicine Program), which accepts some medications. Another option is contacting your local pharmacy or fire department to see if they have a bin for you to dispose of medications properly.
- Walking boots
- Knee/back/arm/leg braces
- IV fluids and supplies
- Feeding tube supplies
- Needles, syringes
- Ostomy or colostomy supplies
- Drainage supplies
- CPAP machines and supplies (but Breathe California may be able to help)
There are resources to donate gently used medical equipment or unused health care supplies. STAGES is here to let you know what they are.
