Written & Reviewed by
Last updated: 19 September 2026
Alaska has several places where seniors and people with disabilities can borrow or reuse walkers, wheelchairs, commodes, shower benches, and other equipment. There is no single statewide closet with every item. The best route depends on where you live, how soon you need the item, and whether the need is short term or long term.
Bottom Line
Start with a regional loan closet when you need simple equipment quickly. If you do not know which program serves your area, call Alaska’s Aging and Disability Resource Center network at 1-855-565-2017, Assistive Technology of Alaska at 907-563-2599, or Alaska 2-1-1 at 2-1-1 or 1-800-478-2221. For long-term or custom equipment, start the Medicaid, Medicare, or insurance process at the same time.
Need Equipment for Safety Today?
If a senior cannot transfer, toilet, walk, or sleep safely, call the doctor, home health nurse, hospice team, therapist, or hospital discharge planner now. Ask for the exact item and size needed, and ask whether a same-day rental or temporary device is available. If the person is in immediate danger, call 911.
Start Here
- Name the exact item. Say “bedside commode after hip surgery” instead of only “medical equipment.”
- Call the closest program first. Ask staff to confirm the item, size, loan terms, and pickup rules before you travel.
- Call a backup the same day. If the closet is empty, use ADRC, ATLA, or Alaska 2-1-1 to find another route.
If you need a broader overview of senior benefits, see the Alaska senior assistance guide. For disability-related services beyond equipment, use the Alaska disability help guide.
Quick Reference: Which Route Fits?
| If you need | Start with | Ask first | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walker, commode, shower bench, or manual wheelchair soon | Regional loan closet | “Do you have the exact size today?” | Inventory can change before you arrive. |
| Help choosing assistive technology | ATLA or your therapist | “Which device best fits this problem?” | The right fit matters as much as availability. |
| Long-term or custom medical equipment | Doctor plus insurance | “Can you start the equipment order?” | A loan closet does not replace coverage approval. |
| Help in a rural community | Regional ADRC | “Who can hold, receive, or move this item?” | Pickup and shipping may be the main barrier. |
What Has Changed
Fairbanks: Access Alaska now states that its Fairbanks DME loan closet is closed indefinitely. The old version of this guide told Fairbanks readers to use Access Alaska. Fairbanks readers should now start with the Alaska Center for Children & Adults loan closet, ADRC North, ATLA, or another current local referral.
ATLA: its current services page clearly lists free short-term equipment loans for two weeks, plus a reutilization program for gently used assistive technology. These statewide services are useful when a local closet does not have the right item.
Best Statewide Starting Points
Assistive Technology of Alaska (ATLA) is a strong statewide starting point when you need help choosing, trying, or locating assistive technology. ATLA lists free two-week short-term equipment loans, demonstrations, information and assistance, agency loans, and a reutilization closet for gently used devices. Call 907-563-2599. If you are not sure what device fits the problem, explain what the person cannot safely do rather than guessing an item.
ATLA’s programs page says its Assistive Technology Act services are available to Alaskans across the state, regardless of age, disability, injury, income, or location. Some ATLA programs have their own eligibility or funding rules, so ask which service fits your situation.
The state ADRC network serves seniors, people with disabilities, and caregivers statewide. ADRC staff can help locate mobility devices, assistive technology, transportation, in-home care, Medicare and Medicaid help, and home modification resources. Call 1-855-565-2017 or contact the regional office for your area. Our Alaska aging agencies guide can also help you understand local aging-service entry points.
Alaska 2-1-1 is another statewide referral route. Call 2-1-1 or 1-800-478-2221. Its main site lists call-center hours as Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a noon-to-1:00 p.m. lunch closure. You can also search the service database online.
Regional DME Loan Closets and Reuse Programs
Call before you drive. A program may be active but still have no suitable wheelchair, commode, walker, or bed that day. Ask staff to check the exact size and all needed parts. For a national explanation of how loan closets work, see our DME loan closet guide.
| Area | Program | What it offers | Contact | Important limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | Access Alaska | Wheelchairs, transfer benches, magnifiers, hospital beds, commodes, walkers, grab bars, and other adaptive equipment | 907-263-1913 | Fairbanks DME service is listed as closed indefinitely. |
| Mat-Su | Valley Charities | Short-term durable medical equipment for recovery from injury, illness, or surgery | 907-521-1908 | Loans are listed for up to six months, with no charge; confirmed equipment is held 24 hours. |
| Mat-Su | LINKS Resource Center | Referrals to current DME lending options, including Valley Charities and local community resources | 907-373-3632 | LINKS is mainly a navigator; another organization may supply the item. |
| Fairbanks | ACCA Loan Closet | Wheelchairs, bariatric wheelchairs, walkers, seated walkers, knee walkers, crutches, and canes | 907-456-4003 | A refundable deposit is required if returned within three months, plus a $10 nonrefundable cleaning fee. |
| Kenai Peninsula, Kodiak, Seward, Homer, Valdez/Cordova area | Independent Living Center | Wheelchairs, walkers, shower benches, commodes, knee scooters, crutches, magnifiers, and sound-amplifying devices | Nearest ILC office | Each office keeps its own inventory. |
| Southeast Alaska | SAIL Loan Closets | Wheelchairs, walkers, shower benches, commodes, low-vision magnifiers, sound amplifiers, and other assistive technology | Call the nearest SAIL office | Stock differs by office, so confirm the item before travel. |
What Equipment Is Usually Easier to Borrow?
Loan closets work best for reusable items that can be cleaned, checked, and safely passed to another person. Common examples include manual wheelchairs, transport chairs, walkers, canes, crutches, bedside commodes, shower chairs, transfer benches, knee scooters, grab bars, magnifiers, and simple daily-living aids.
Large or specialized equipment is less predictable. Hospital beds, powered lifts, power wheelchairs, bariatric items, custom seating, respiratory equipment, and pressure-relief surfaces may be harder to find. Some of these items need professional fitting, a medical order, or a supplier that can service the equipment.
Reality Check: Size Matters
A wheelchair that is too narrow, a walker set too high, or a lift missing the correct sling can create a new safety problem. Before pickup, ask for seat width, weight limit, height range, included parts, charger or battery needs, and whether staff can explain safe use. If a therapist has recommended a size or model, bring that information.
How Loan Rules, Pickup, and Returns Work
There is no single Alaska rule for community loan closets. Valley Charities says its Mat-Su program has no charge and uses a six-month short-term loan period. ACCA in Fairbanks uses equipment deposits and a $10 cleaning fee. ATLA’s standard short-term device loan is two weeks. These are different programs with different purposes.
- Confirm stock. Ask staff to physically confirm the item before you travel.
- Confirm fit. Give height, weight, seat width, or other measurements.
- Ask about the agreement. Check loan length, deposit, cleaning charge, late return, replacement, and damage rules.
- Plan transport. Ask whether the item folds, comes apart, needs tools, or requires two people to load.
- Check all parts. Keep footrests, cushions, chargers, batteries, slings, bolts, and manuals together.
- Ask about safe use. A closet can provide an item, but it may not replace training from a therapist, nurse, or medical provider.
Alaska weather and distance make pickup important. Do not reserve a large item until you know how you will move it. A hospital bed or lift may require a truck, tools, and more than one adult.
What to Do in Rural Alaska
If you live off the road system, think by region rather than town. The state ADRC page lists regional partners for Anchorage, Mat-Su, Fairbanks and the Interior, the Kenai/Kodiak/Valdez-Cordova area, Southeast Alaska, and Western Alaska. Ask your regional ADRC which current program can serve your community and whether a clinic, senior center, tribal health office, or family member can help with pickup or receiving.
ATLA is also useful because its statewide services include information, demonstrations, short-term loans, and reutilization. Ask whether the equipment you need is realistic to ship or whether a different device would be easier to obtain locally.
If a medical appointment is involved, Alaska Medicaid has a separate transportation benefit for eligible members when medically necessary and authorized. This covers travel to and from health care, not general delivery of a borrowed community-loan item. Do not assume Medicaid transportation will move a hospital bed or wheelchair from a closet to your home.
When Medicaid, Medicare, or Insurance Is Better
A loan closet is often best for an urgent, simple, temporary need. Insurance is usually the better long-term route for medically necessary equipment, especially custom or costly items. Start both paths at the same time when a senior is leaving a hospital or may need the equipment for months.
| Route | Best for | What starts it | Main limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community loan closet | Short-term or urgent basic equipment | Call the program directly | Stock, size, pickup, and loan rules |
| Alaska Medicaid | Medically needed equipment for enrolled members | Qualified provider order and coverage process | Most DME can require service authorization |
| Medicare Part B | Covered medically necessary home DME | Order from a Medicare-enrolled provider | Deductible, coinsurance, supplier rules, and item coverage |
Alaska’s current service authorization guidance says most durable medical equipment, selected medical supplies, and selected hearing aids require authorization. The provider is responsible for contacting the program when authorization is needed. If you have coverage questions, the page lists the Medicaid Recipient Helpline at 1-800-780-9972.
Medicare DME coverage says Part B can cover medically necessary home equipment ordered by a doctor or other health care provider. Medicare also says the supplier should be enrolled, and costs can depend on whether the supplier accepts assignment. If paying Medicare premiums or cost sharing is hard, see our Alaska Medicare Savings guide.
If you still need to apply for Medicaid or other state benefits, our Alaska benefits portal guide explains the Alaska Connect route and other state application options.
When the Home Is the Real Problem
Sometimes the device is not the main problem. A narrow doorway, high tub wall, steep steps, missing rail, or bedroom layout may keep a senior from using a walker or wheelchair safely.
ATLA’s HomeMAP program helps Alaskans look at home modification needs and possible funding through partner organizations. Because funding and project rules can change, ask ATLA to confirm the current eligibility, available funding, and local grantee before making plans.
For more Alaska repair and accessibility options, see our Alaska home repair guide. A ramp, grab bar, widened door, safer bathroom, or other home change may reduce the need for temporary workarounds.
How to Start Without Wasting Time
- Write down the problem. Note what the senior cannot do safely today.
- Get measurements. Record height, weight, doorway width, bathroom layout, and any therapist instructions.
- Call the regional closet. Ask about stock, size, fees, forms, pickup, and return terms.
- Start the insurance path. If the equipment may be needed long term, ask the medical provider to begin the order now.
- Plan a backup. Call ADRC, ATLA, or Alaska 2-1-1 if the first program cannot help.
- Do not drive until confirmed. Alaska distance and weather can turn an unnecessary trip into a serious burden.
If the equipment need is part of a larger crisis involving unsafe housing, no heat, no food, or another immediate hardship, use our Alaska emergency help guide for additional starting points.
What to Gather Before You Call
- The senior’s town, ZIP code, phone number, and best callback time
- The exact item needed, if known
- Height, weight, seat width, or other fitting information
- Doorway width, stairs, bathroom layout, and bed height
- How long the item may be needed
- Doctor, therapist, home health, hospice, or discharge instructions
- Medicaid, Medicare, or other insurance information
- Whether someone can pick up, assemble, and return the item
- Money available for a deposit or cleaning fee, if required
Phone script: loan closet
“Hello. I am helping a senior in [town]. We need a [item] because [reason]. The person is [height] and [weight]. Do you have the right size in stock today? Are there fees, deposits, forms, pickup rules, or a return date?”
Phone script: ADRC or 2-1-1
“I need a medical equipment loan or reuse option near [town]. We need a [item]. Which program should I call first, and what is the best backup if that program has no inventory?”
Phone script: doctor or therapist
“The loan closet may not have the right item. What exact equipment and size does the patient need? If this is a long-term need, can you start the Medicaid, Medicare, or insurance order?”
Phone script: rural pickup
“We live in [community] and cannot reach the office today. Can the item be held, folded, shipped, or picked up by a relative, clinic, senior center, or tribal health office in a hub community?”
If You Are Delayed, Turned Away, or the Item Is Gone
- No stock: Ask the program when returns are expected, then call ATLA, ADRC, and another regional closet the same day.
- Wrong size: Do not take an unsafe substitute. Ask the therapist or provider what alternatives will work.
- Insurance delay: Ask the provider what document, order, authorization, or supplier step is missing.
- Pickup problem: Ask whether a family member, clinic, senior center, tribal health office, or community partner can help receive or move the item.
- Long-term need: Keep the coverage request moving even if you find a temporary loan.
Reality Checks
Inventory is not guaranteed: A website can show that a program exists without showing what is on the shelf today.
Free does not always mean cost-free: some programs have no charge, while others use deposits or cleaning fees.
Delivery is uncommon: many programs expect the borrower or family to arrange pickup and return.
Loan closets are not medical suppliers: custom, powered, respiratory, or complex equipment may require a medical provider and an enrolled supplier.
Rural access takes planning: weather, ferry schedules, air freight, hub travel, and cargo space may matter as much as the equipment itself.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting until discharge day to start calling
- Driving before the item is physically confirmed
- Borrowing a wheelchair without checking seat width and weight limit
- Taking a bed or lift without all required parts
- Assuming every loan closet is free
- Assuming a community closet will deliver
- Using an item without safe-use instructions
- Ignoring return dates, deposits, cleaning fees, or damage rules
- Stopping after one “no” instead of calling a regional backup
Resumen en Español
Alaska tiene varios programas que prestan o reutilizan equipo médico duradero, pero no existe un solo armario estatal con todo el equipo. Para empezar, llame a la red ADRC al 1-855-565-2017, a ATLA al 907-563-2599 o a Alaska 2-1-1. Llame antes de viajar y confirme el artículo, el tamaño, las piezas, los costos, el depósito y las reglas de devolución.
En Anchorage, Access Alaska mantiene un armario de DME, pero su página ahora indica que el servicio de Fairbanks está cerrado indefinidamente. En Fairbanks, pruebe primero con ACCA, ADRC North o ATLA. En Mat-Su, Valley Charities y LINKS son buenas opciones. ILC mantiene armarios en su región y SAIL mantiene armarios en el sureste de Alaska.
Si el equipo se necesita por mucho tiempo o debe ser hecho a la medida, pida al médico que inicie el proceso con Medicaid, Medicare o el seguro. No acepte un equipo que no sea del tamaño correcto o que no pueda usarse con seguridad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there one official Alaska DME loan closet list?
No. Alaska has statewide referral systems and several regional loan programs, but no single state page lists every active closet and every item in stock. Start with ADRC, ATLA, Alaska 2-1-1, and the regional program that serves your area.
Is Access Alaska’s Fairbanks DME closet open?
No. Access Alaska currently lists its Fairbanks DME loan closet as closed indefinitely. Fairbanks residents can try ACCA’s loan closet, ADRC North, ATLA, or another current referral.
Are Alaska equipment loans free?
Some are free and some are not. Valley Charities says its Mat-Su program has no charge. ACCA in Fairbanks requires a refundable deposit under its stated return terms and a $10 nonrefundable cleaning fee. Always ask before pickup.
Can Medicaid or Medicare pay for DME?
Sometimes. Alaska Medicaid requires provider involvement and says most DME can require service authorization. Medicare Part B can cover certain medically necessary home DME when ordered by an eligible provider and obtained under Medicare supplier rules.
What if I live in a village?
Call your regional ADRC, ATLA, village clinic, tribal health organization, or hospital discharge planner. Ask whether an item can be held, shipped, or received by a trusted person or organization in a hub community.
What should I ask before I pick up equipment?
Ask about size, weight limit, missing parts, safe use, cleaning, pickup vehicle, fees, deposit, loan length, return date, and what happens if weather or travel delays the return.
About This Guide
Sources: This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources linked in the article.
Editorial note
This guide is produced under the GFS Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources. GFS is not affiliated with a government agency and is not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Corrections
Despite careful verification, errors may occur. Readers may email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections.
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, funding, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the responsible official program before acting.
Last updated: 19 September 2026 · Next review: 19 January 2027
About the Authors