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Last updated: 27 May 2026
Bottom Line: Delaware does not have one simple statewide public list for every durable medical equipment loan closet. Most seniors and caregivers should start with the Delaware Aging & Disability Resource Center, the Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative, and Delaware 211. If the item is not available for free, the next step is to ask about state assistive-device help, independent living support, Medicare or Medicaid coverage, or a low-cost reuse seller.
Emergency help now
- If discharge is today: tell the hospital, rehab center, or home health nurse that the senior cannot go home safely without the equipment. Ask them to order or rent the item before discharge.
- If the person is already home and unsafe: call 911 for a medical emergency. For non-emergency equipment help, call ADRC at 1-800-223-9074 and explain the safety risk.
- If you need to borrow before buying: call DATI at 1-800-870-3284 or 302-831-0354 and ask about the exact item, the pickup site, and whether a similar device can be tested.
- If you do not know where to start: call 211 or text your ZIP Code to 898-211 and ask for current local equipment, disability, and senior service referrals.
Quick help if you need equipment fast
- Best first call: use the Delaware ADRC contact page, or call 1-800-223-9074.
- Best try-before-buy route: use DATI loan services for short-term equipment demos and loans.
- Best local search backup: use Delaware 211 for local nonprofit, medical care, transportation, and senior referrals.
- Best state funding fallback: ask ADRC about the DSAAPD device program if no other payer can help.
- Best caregiver planning page: see the GFS guide to family caregiver pay if equipment is part of a bigger care plan.
Quick reference: who to call first
| Need | Start here | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Same-day safety problem | Hospital discharge planner, home health nurse, or ADRC | “Can this be arranged today so the senior can move safely?” |
| Borrow or test equipment | DATI | “Do you have this item or a similar item for a short loan?” |
| Find small local programs | Delaware 211 | “Can you search my ZIP Code and nearby counties?” |
| No payer and no free item | ADRC and DSAAPD | “Is there state assistive-device help for this need?” |
| Medicare or Medicaid coverage | Plan, supplier, DMAB, or Medicaid | “What order, supplier, or approval is required?” |
| Rural pickup barrier | ADRC, 211, DART, or caregiver | “Can the item be held or picked up by someone else?” |
Contents
- What this help is
- Statewide starting points
- What equipment to ask for
- Where to start by county
- Coverage versus reuse
- Pickup and delivery problems
- How to start
- Phone scripts
- What to gather
- Backup options
What this help is, and what it is not
Durable medical equipment, often called DME, means reusable medical items used at home. Common examples are walkers, wheelchairs, shower chairs, transfer benches, bedside commodes, toilet risers, hospital beds, and some powered mobility devices.
In Delaware, the public path is not usually one big warehouse. It is a set of aging, disability, assistive technology, community, and insurance paths. That means the right first call depends on what you need and how soon you need it.
Loan and reuse programs are different from insurance. A reuse program may lend or give an item because it has one on hand. Medicare or Medicaid may cover an item only if the medical need, order, supplier, and coverage rules are met. If the senior needs other support too, the GFS Delaware benefits guide can help you see the wider state benefit picture.
Best statewide starting points in Delaware
Delaware Aging & Disability Resource Center
The Delaware Aging & Disability Resource Center, often called ADRC, is the best first door when you do not know which program fits. ADRC says it can help older Delawareans, adults with disabilities, and caregivers find information, assistance, and referrals. It also lists phone and email access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Who this helps: older adults, adults with physical disabilities, family caregivers, and helpers who need a local starting point.
What to ask: ask for equipment loan leads, assistive technology help, transportation ideas, and screening for state programs. Ask them to search outside your closest town if pickup is possible.
Reality check: ADRC is a referral and access point. It may not own the equipment. You may still need to call DATI, a supplier, a county resource, or a nonprofit.
Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative
The Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative is the strongest public option for trying equipment before buying. DATI says most services are free for Delaware residents, and its assistive technology resource centers can demonstrate devices and lend many items for short use.
The DATI loan policy says the standard loan is two weeks. It may be extended up to four weeks if there is no waiting list or reservation conflict. It also says a borrower may have up to four devices at one time, and the borrowed equipment must stay in Delaware.
Who this helps: Delaware residents who need to test a device, compare options, or use equipment for a short recovery.
What to ask: give the exact item, the senior’s size, the county, and the pickup limit. Ask whether a similar device can work if the exact item is not available.
Reality check: DATI is very useful, but it is not a permanent loan closet. Short-term means short-term, and inventory changes.
Delaware 211
Delaware 211 is useful when smaller local leads are hard to find. It can search by need and ZIP Code for health, transportation, senior services, medical care, clothing, legal help, and other community support.
Who this helps: seniors and caregivers who need local nonprofit, church, county, or community leads that may not appear in a simple search.
What to ask: ask for DME loan closets, medical equipment reuse, disability organizations, and transportation help within a wider driving range.
Reality check: 211 gives referrals. Always call the listed program before driving, because equipment may be gone by the time you arrive.
State assistive-device and independent-living help
The state Independent Living program says Delaware’s independent living centers may help, after assessment, with home, work, or vehicle modifications and assistive technology. This matters when the need is bigger than a walker or shower chair.
Ask about this route if the senior needs a ramp, stair glide, home change, vehicle change, or help learning how to live safely with equipment. For broader disability paths, use the GFS Delaware disability guide along with the official state offices.
Reality check: these programs may require assessment, financial review, disability-related need, and available funding. Do not wait until the day before discharge to start.
What equipment to ask for first
| Equipment | Best first path | Check before pickup |
|---|---|---|
| Walker, rollator, cane, crutches | DATI, 211, local reuse | Height, rubber tips, brakes, fold size |
| Manual wheelchair | DATI, DonateDE, reuse leads | Seat width, footrests, brakes, weight limit |
| Shower chair or transfer bench | DATI, local reuse | Rust, rubber feet, back support, tub fit |
| Bedside commode or toilet riser | DATI, DonateDE, 211 leads | Bucket, splash guard, height, cleaning |
| Hospital bed | Supplier, reuse seller, funding route | Delivery, setup, mattress, rails, repair |
| Scooter or power chair | DATI Exchange, supplier, funding route | Battery, charger, weight limit, service record |
| Low-vision or hearing device | DATI, Easterseals, plan coverage | Fitting, trial period, batteries, training |
Basic items are often easier to find than large powered items. Beds, scooters, and power chairs raise more questions about transport, setup, batteries, repairs, and safety.
Where to start by county inside Delaware
| Area | Good local path | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Upper New Castle County | ADRC, DATI Newark, Independent Resources | Newark and Wilmington-area families may have more supplier and nonprofit choices nearby. |
| Southern New Castle County | ADRC, DATI, Freedom Center | Middletown, Odessa, Townsend, and Bear families may need a closer disability resource than Wilmington. |
| Kent County | ADRC, DATI, Easterseals, IRI | Call first. Pickup details can change, and a drive to Dover or Milford can be wasted if the item is gone. |
| Sussex County | ADRC, DATI, IRI, Easterseals | Distance can be the hard part. Ask programs to search Milford, Georgetown, Seaford, Dover, and New Castle. |
| Border areas | ADRC, 211, supplier search | A nearby out-of-state reuse seller may be useful, but check cost, hours, and transport first. |
Do not use old senior-center pages as your main route. GFS now points state senior center needs toward Area Agencies on Aging when an aging-network path is more useful.
Medicare, Medicaid, and reused equipment
Reuse can be faster, but it is not the same as coverage. Medicare says Part B may cover medically necessary DME when a doctor or other health care provider orders it for home use. It also says covered DME is durable, used for a medical reason, usually not useful to someone who is not sick or injured, used in the home, and expected to last at least three years. For coverage details, check Medicare DME rules before you buy or rent.
For Medicare plan questions, the Delaware Medicare Bureau offers free counseling for people with Medicare. Call 1-800-336-9500 or 302-674-7364 if you need help understanding supplier rules, Medicare Advantage networks, bills, or plan options.
For Medicaid questions, use the Delaware Medicaid portal or the number on the member card. Medicaid coverage can depend on the plan, medical need, prior approval, and supplier rules.
If DME costs are part of a bigger Medicare affordability problem, the GFS Medicare Savings Programs page can help seniors understand state help with Medicare costs.
| Path | Best for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Loan or reuse | Fast short-term need, low-cost option, no waiting for claim | Inventory, fit, safety, pickup, return date |
| Medicare | Medically necessary home equipment ordered by a provider | Supplier enrollment, assignment, deductible, coinsurance |
| Medicaid | Members with covered medical need | Plan rules, prior approval, provider order, network supplier |
| State assistive-device help | Last-resort help when no other funds are available | Assessment, limits, funding, paperwork |
| Low-interest financing | Larger items when no free or covered option works | Debt, approval, monthly payment, repair costs |
Pickup, delivery, and rural Delaware problems
Pickup is often the real problem. A program may have the right chair, but it may not deliver. A caregiver may have to measure the trunk, fold down seats, or borrow a larger vehicle.
If the senior already uses DART or may qualify for paratransit, the DART contact page lists paratransit reservations at 1-800-553-3278 and eligibility help at 1-800-652-3278, option 4. Do not rely on a new paratransit application for same-day hospital discharge.
If the equipment is tied to a housing problem, such as stairs, bathroom access, or unsafe entry, use the GFS Delaware housing help guide for related housing and home-safety paths.
Ask every provider these two questions: “Can you hold it?” and “Can someone else pick it up?” If the answer is yes, get the name of the person who approved it.
How to start without wasting time
- Step 1: Name the exact item. “Walker” is not enough. Say two-wheel walker, rollator, transport chair, wide wheelchair, tub transfer bench, or bedside commode.
- Step 2: Measure the person and the space. For chairs, know height, weight, hip width, door width, bathroom size, bed height, and car space.
- Step 3: Call ADRC and DATI the same day. Ask ADRC for referrals and ask DATI about demo or loan stock.
- Step 4: Call 211 if the first two paths do not have the item. Ask for local reuse, faith-based, county, and disability resources.
- Step 5: If the item is not free, ask about DSAAPD, independent living programs, insurance coverage, supplier rental, or low-cost reuse sellers.
- Step 6: If the need is urgent and tied to medical discharge, keep the discharge planner involved until the item is arranged.
If food, rent, utilities, or other emergencies are also making the situation unsafe, the GFS Delaware emergency help guide covers wider crisis resources.
Phone scripts you can use
Script for ADRC
“Hi, I am helping an older adult in [county]. They need [exact item] by [date] because [fall risk, surgery, discharge, or bathroom safety problem]. Can you help me find a loan, reuse, funding, or supplier option? Pickup is [possible/not possible].”
Script for DATI
“Hi, I want to ask about a short-term equipment loan. The person lives in Delaware and needs [exact item]. Their height and weight are [details]. Is this item available, where is it located, and can a caregiver pick it up?”
Script for Delaware 211
“Hi, I need current local referrals for durable medical equipment. Please search [ZIP Code], nearby counties, and any statewide programs. The item needed is [exact item], and transportation is [possible/not possible].”
Script for discharge staff
“Before discharge, we need a safe plan for [walker, wheelchair, commode, bed, or shower chair]. Can you arrange a supplier order, home health evaluation, or rental today? The senior cannot move safely at home without it.”
What to gather before you call
- The exact item needed
- The reason it is needed
- The date of surgery, discharge, or return home
- Height, weight, and side-specific needs
- Doorway, bathroom, bed, and car measurements
- Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, or other insurance information
- Doctor’s order, discharge papers, or therapy notes if available
- Whether someone can pick up the item
- Whether the senior needs it for short recovery or long-term use
- Any delivery barrier, stairs, elevator, or rural-address problem
Backup options if the first path does not work
If the first calls do not find equipment, widen the search. Ask ADRC and 211 to look outside the closest town. Ask DATI about the DATI AT Exchange, which lists person-to-person assistive technology items and may include mobility, daily living, hearing, vision, communication, and vehicle items.
For device demos, training, seating help, and financing questions, Easterseals technology services in Delaware list a Resource and Technology Demonstration Center with hundreds of devices on display. Easterseals also describes FYI: Finance Your Independence as a lower-interest financing path for assistive technology, home modifications, hearing aids, accessible vehicles, and related needs.
If you want to request supplies or equipment from Donate Delaware, use the DonateDE request form and give the item, quantity, date needed, address, and whether delivery is requested. For donations, the DonateDE donation page lists limited acceptance of durable medical equipment, but also shows changing warehouse and drop-off details. Call first before bringing equipment.
For North Delaware families, Goodwill Home Medical in New Jersey can be a lower-cost backup when Delaware reuse options are thin. For fire, flood, storm, or disaster loss, the University of Delaware’s AllReadyDE replacement guide points people toward replacement assistive technology and medical equipment resources.
If the senior is a veteran or surviving spouse, use the GFS senior veteran benefits guide too. Veteran service routes may help with a different part of the problem, such as VA health care, transportation, home safety, or caregiver support.
Reality checks
- Inventory changes fast: a walker may be available in the morning and gone by the afternoon.
- Free does not mean delivered: many loan and reuse options expect pickup.
- Big items take more work: hospital beds, scooters, and power chairs may need delivery, repair checks, and setup.
- Insurance can be slower: Medicare and Medicaid paths may need orders, supplier rules, and approvals.
- A similar item may help: a transport chair may work for a short outing even if a standard wheelchair is not available.
- County lines matter less than time: a farther drive once may be faster than waiting for the closest town.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Driving to a pickup site before calling
- Asking for “a wheelchair” without seat width or weight limit
- Taking a shower chair without checking rust, feet, and weight rating
- Assuming Medicare will pay because a doctor mentioned the item
- Forgetting to ask whether a caregiver can pick it up
- Waiting until the discharge day to start calling
- Missing the return date for a short-term loan
- Donating equipment without calling first
What to do if denied, delayed, or overwhelmed
If a program says no, ask why. The reason matters. It may be no inventory, no delivery, wrong county, no medical order, missing measurements, or a coverage rule.
- If inventory is the problem: ask when to call back and ask for two backup referrals.
- If cost is the problem: ask ADRC about state assistive-device help and ask Easterseals about financing.
- If insurance is the problem: ask the plan what rule was not met and whether a different supplier or order is needed.
- If the senior cannot manage calls: ask whether a family caregiver can speak for them, and keep notes with dates and names.
- If care needs are growing: ask whether the person needs a home care, waiver, or caregiver support review.
When equipment is only one part of a larger care burden, the paid caregiver guide linked above may help families understand where caregiver support fits in Delaware.
Frequently asked questions
Does Delaware have one statewide DME loan-closet directory?
No. Delaware does not appear to have one single public directory devoted only to DME loan closets. Most families should start with ADRC, DATI, and Delaware 211, then ask those systems to search local and county options.
Can my parent borrow a walker or wheelchair for free in Delaware?
Sometimes, yes, but it is not guaranteed. DATI offers no-cost short-term loans for Delaware residents, and local reuse programs may have basic items. Availability depends on the item, county, timing, and pickup options.
What is the fastest option if discharge is today?
Keep the hospital or rehab discharge planner involved. Ask them to arrange a supplier order, rental, or safe discharge plan. At the same time, call ADRC and DATI, but do not depend on a community loan if discharge is only hours away.
Does Medicare pay for used or reused equipment?
Community reuse and Medicare coverage are separate. Medicare may cover medically necessary DME ordered for home use and supplied through proper Medicare rules. A borrowed or donated item may help quickly, but it does not replace a Medicare coverage decision.
Can an out-of-state adult child arrange equipment?
Yes. A caregiver or adult child can make calls and arrange pickup for a Delaware parent. For DATI, the borrower must be a Delaware resident, and the borrowed equipment must stay in Delaware during the loan.
What if I cannot pick up the item?
Ask whether the item can be held, delivered, or picked up by a caregiver. If the senior already uses paratransit, ask DART whether a related trip is possible. For same-day discharge, ask the facility to arrange a supplier delivery.
Where can I donate used medical equipment in Delaware?
Call first. DATI’s AT Exchange may be useful for person-to-person listings, and DonateDE has an equipment and supplies page. Because drop-off and warehouse details can change, do not bring equipment without confirming current acceptance.
Resumen en español
En Delaware, no hay un solo directorio público que reúna todos los lugares que prestan equipo médico duradero. Para la mayoría de las familias, las mejores primeras llamadas son ADRC, DATI y Delaware 211. ADRC puede orientar a adultos mayores, personas con discapacidades y cuidadores. DATI puede prestar equipo a corto plazo para residentes de Delaware, si el artículo está disponible.
Si no encuentra un artículo gratis, pregunte por ayuda estatal para tecnología asistiva, programas de vida independiente, cobertura de Medicare o Medicaid, o una opción de bajo costo. Antes de recoger cualquier equipo, confirme el tamaño, el peso máximo, las piezas, la limpieza, la fecha de devolución y si otra persona puede recogerlo. Si el alta del hospital es hoy, pida al trabajador de alta que ayude a conseguir el equipo antes de que la persona mayor regrese a casa.
About This Guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
Editorial note: This guide is produced based on our Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources, regularly updated and monitored, but not affiliated with any government agency and not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Verification: Last verified 27 May 2026, next review 27 August 2026.
Corrections: Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we will respond within 72 hours.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the official program before acting.
Last updated: 27 May 2026
Next review: 27 August 2026
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