Every day, many families struggle to find funding assistance to get the things they need to improve a loved one’s quality of life. It’s one of the reasons donating or selling your used or outgrown equipment is such a great idea. Not only are you ensuring that those items continue helping others long after you no longer need them, but it provides a more accessible and affordable avenue for families in need to acquire them. If you’re thinking about donating or selling the used medical equipment in your home, here are some tips on how to do so in a way that benefits both you and the equipment’s next owner. It’s important to take the time to research any charitable organizations you’re thinking about donating to before doing so. This is especially true when what you’re giving is medical equipment. Here are some things to take into consideration before making your donation: Now that you know where it’s going, slap a little elbow grease on that old equipment and clean it up!
Bath, shower and commode chairs should be especially clean before turning them in, but it’s just common courtesy to make sure any equipment look nice before you bring it to the facility. The cleaner it is and the better the shape it’s in allows your equipment to enter the donation system more quickly, and that could mean a family in need will receive it much faster. The feeling that you’ve done something good for another family in need is a great reward, of course. A nice tax deduction, however, is also pretty nice. If the organization you’re working with accepts tax-deductible donations, don’t forget to get the receipt and put it with the rest of your tax documents so you’ll have it ready when April comes around. Also, if you have a particularly good experience with the charity you donate to, don’t forget tell others about them. Many smaller organizations run on extremely thin budgets and can’t afford much in the way of marketing. The more people who know about these charities, the faster they’ll grow.
Of course, you don’t have to donate your outgrown or unneeded equipment. Many retail shops which specialize in medical equipment offer cash or store credit for your used items. These shops also have the ability to refurbish the broken or heavily-used equipment some charities won’t accept. Another benefit of these shops is that they work with people and families with special needs every day, so they’ll be able to match your wheelchair, stroller or other piece of adaptive equipment with the right customer. Like charities, the things that a resale shop will accept varies from place to place, so check with them before hauling your equipment down to their store. The last thing you want to do is have to take it all the way back home when the shop says they don’t want it. Selling them privately through online marketplaces like eBay and Craig’s List is also an option. Keep in mind, though, that while you may get a few extra dollars going this route, it may not always be best for the person buying you’re equipment.
Things like canes, walkers and beds are easy to sell and are often adjustable to fit the needs of their new user. Items such as wheelchairs, commode chairs and other adaptive seating, however, are usually chosen for a specific type of user based on a number of factors, including diagnosis, support needs and measurements. The buyer might be getting a great deal on your equipment, but the intended user may not. It might be too big, too small, unsupportive or otherwise able to comfortably fit their needs. If you choose to sell your equipment online, be as upfront as possible about its previous use. List as many of its specifications and features, such as height, seat width and adjustability, as you can, as well. This way, any potential buyer has what they need to make a better, more informed decision about how your equipment might benefit its intended user before they purchase. There are lots of options available to you when it comes to donating or selling your used wheelchair or unneeded medical equipment.
Whatever you choose to do, try to keep the next user in mind. After all, what you’re giving away probably once made a big difference in either your life or the life of a loved one. Hopefully, it’ll do the same for someone else in the near future. Photo Credit: “Wheelchair” by Joshua Zader, used under CC BY / Cropped from originalLa Ventana1(67 Ratings)$880 - $17751 Bed5 units available now2 Beds5 units available now3 Beds2 units available nowABQ Uptown Village1(81 Ratings)From $860StudioFrom 3 units available now1 BedFrom 7 units available now2 BedsFrom 4 units available now3 BedsPrairie Hills1(17 Ratings)$614 - $12721 Bed2 Beds3 BedsCALL US TODAY!!!!The Arbors1$450 - $715Studio10+ units available now1 Bed10+ units available now2 Beds4 units available nowStarting at $535 - Call Today!Sun Village1(8 Ratings)$540 - $895Studio5 units available now1 Bed10 units available now2 Beds5 units available nowBrand New Luxury Senior CommunityAffinity at Albuquerque1From $1180StudioFrom 1 BedFrom 2 BedsFrom Broadstone Towne Center1$1029 - $17091 Bed2 Beds10+ units available now3 Beds1 unit available nowThe Towers1$820 - $10491 Bed2 BedsWOW!
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Such devices are available at no additional charge. While Enterprise Rent-A-Car will use good faith efforts to satisfy requests for vehicles with hand controls, left foot accelerators, spinner knobs, or pedal extenders, as soon as reasonably practical, we may require up to two to three business days notice for vehicles equipped with Adaptive Driving Devices depending on the location of the branch where such a vehicle is requested. However, at certain major airport locations*, vehicles equipped with Adaptive Driving Devices may be available with as little as 8 or 24 hours advance notice. The foregoing timeframes are subject to delays beyond Enterprise's reasonable control. Customers with disabilities who do not have a driver's license can still rent with Enterprise Rent-A-Car when accompanied by a surrogate driver who presents a valid driver's license. Minimum age restrictions and other normal rental qualifications apply, but there is no additional charge for the surrogate driver and the surrogate driver need not produce a credit card or otherwise be required to meet our financial underwriting requirements.
For more information or to make a reservation; please call our National Reservation Center at (866) 225-4284. Enterprise Rent-A-Car accepts relay calls. Deaf or hard of hearing users of TTY devices, please dial (866) 534-9270. Enterprise does not offer lift-equipped vans for rental. In many major metropolitan areas, specialty companies offer vehicles equipped with wheelchair lifts and other devices for both short-term and long-term rental. Please note that Enterprise Rent-A-Car provides this information as a courtesy to its customers only. Wheelchair Getaways and Wheelers Accessible Van Rentals are not affiliated with Enterprise Rent-A-Car or any of its subsidiaries. , or TTY us at (866) 534-9270. Enterprise is committed to providing a range of Adaptive Driving Devices for our customers with disabilities. Adaptive Driving Devices include hand controls, left foot accelerator, spinner knobs and pedal extenders. To make a reservation, please call our National Reservation Center at (866) 225-4284.