These organizations lend out equipment (such as wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, bedside commodes, etc) and may also receive donations of “gently-used” equipment.
Best to call before visiting to learn if they have the equipment you are looking for and have any eligibility criteria.
Before you donate equipment, call in advance to see if they are accepting what you have to donate. A few accept donations of non-working equipment as the organizations have the means to repair it. Only a few will pick-up large equipment from donors. Note that Medicare discourages selling medical equipment provided through your Medicare insurance.
Thanks to Susan W., Ann B.-H., Denise D., and Dianne W. for some of the resources below.
SENIOR CENTERS
Check with your city’s senior center to inquire if they have a loan closet. By the way, the Mountain View Senior Center does not have a loan closet. Here are a few that do:
Avenidas (Palo Alto)
650-289-5400
They accept and loan all kinds of durable medical equipment, even personal care items (bath benches, toilet risers, commodes, etc.) You do not have to be a member to donate or borrow from their loan closet. All loans are free, however there may be a $25 refundable deposit for wheelchair loans.
Los Altos Senior Center
650-947-2797
They accept and loan wheelchairs, walkers, and canes. Items can be checked out for three-month intervals after signing a release of liability form.
Redwood City Veterans Memorial Senior Center
650-780-7274
They accept and loan canes, walkers and wheelchairs for free, Monday-Friday during business hours. No personal care items.
ORGANIZATIONS LENDING EQUIPMENT TO SENIORS, THOSE WITH DISABILITIES, OR THOSE IN NEED
Medical Equipment Loan Program (Primarily San Mateo County)
freemedequip.org
San Carlos: 650-590-9112 (voicemail or text only)
Lends used durable medical equipment at no cost. Donated equipment is repaired and cleaned before being lent out. Small window each week for pick-up and for donation/return. Serves primarily San Mateo County residents but also other locations.
ReCARES (formerly Home CARES) (3 locations)
recares.org
San Francisco: 415-487-5405
Oakland: 510-251-2273
San Rafael: 415-388-8198
Collects and redistributes donations of clean, gently used medical equipment and unused home health care supplies. Last time we checked, they would pick-up equipment as long as there was a very, large item included (such as a powerchair or hospital bed).
ORGANIZATIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Many of these organizations are members of Ability Tools (formerly AT Network), California’s Assistive Technology Act Program, which connects Californians with disabilities to the devices and services they need to live independently.
Able People Foundation
ablepeoplefoundation.org
Los Gatos
408-263-8000; [email protected]
Accepts donations of all kinds of disability equipment. Tax receipts available. An application is required for borrowing.
Center for Independence of Individuals with Disabilities (CID) (2 locations)
cidsanmateo.org
San Mateo, 650-645-1780
San Bruno, 650-589-8994
Accepts and loans all kinds of durable medical equipment. Serving residents of San Mateo County. $10 membership. Good resource for home modifications.
Independent Living Resources of San Francisco
ilrcsf.org
825 Howard Street, San Francisco
415-543-6222
Accepts and loans assistive devices, from high tech to canes and crutches.
Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (2 locations)
svilc.org/index.php/programs-
San Jose: 408-894-9041
Gilroy: 408-843-9100
Their lending library accepts donations and loans assistive devices, from high tech to canes and crutches, for up to 30 days. Membership in the AT Exchange offers an online forum for buying and selling used devices. Good resource for home modifications.
CHURCHES
Check with local churches to see what they might have available for your neighborhood. (Some churches, like Los Altos United Methodist Church, have a loan closet for members only.) Here are a few we know about:
Christ Episcopal Church
Los Altos
650-948-2151
Accepts and loans all kinds of durable medical equipment, even personal care items (bath benches, toilet risers, commodes, etc.).
Covenant Presbyterian Church
Palo Alto
650-494-1760 (M-F, 10:00a-2:30p), office@covenantpresbyterian.
Accepts and loans all kinds of durable medical equipment, even personal care items. Release of liability form and contact information required.
Ecumenical Hunger Program
ehpcares.org
East Palo Alto
650-323-7781, [email protected]
Accepts and loans all kinds of medical equipment and supplies. No personal care items.
MEDICAL CENTERS
Check with your medical center to see if there is a loan closet available. These are usually operated by the center’s volunteer program. Here’s one we know about:
John Muir Health – Medical Equipment Loan Program
johnmuirhealth.com/services/
Walnut Creek
Phone: 925-939-1220
Accepts donations of wheelchairs, bedside commodes, transfer benches, bath benches and chairs, canes, walkers, and walker accessories. They loan these items to patients and community residents for up to 90 days free of charge.
SUPPORT GROUPS
Contact your local support group leader to see if you can bring items you want to give away to the next support group meeting. Some group leaders will send out an email about equipment you are giving away. Some non-profit support groups, such as Brain Support Network, offer tax receipts to donors if the item is large and request that new recipients of equipment make a charitable contribution, if they are able.
OTHER
Post items you need or want to give away on either Freecycle or NextDoor. Also consider:
Volunteers for Inter-American Development Association (VIDA)
vidausa.org
Emeryville
510-655-8432
Accepts donations of medicines, medical supplies and equipment to serve underprivileged communities in Latin America. No personal care items (bath benches, toilet risers, commodes, etc.).