DME Loan Closets and Medical Equipment Reuse in Alaska

Last updated: 16 April 2026

Bottom Line: Alaska does not publish one simple, state-run website with every durable medical equipment (DME) loan closet in one place. The real Alaska system is a mix of statewide help through Assistive Technology of Alaska, the state Aging and Disability Resource Center network, and Alaska 2-1-1, plus regional programs like Access Alaska, Valley Charities, the Independent Living Center, Southeast Alaska Independent Living, A.C.E., and the Alaska Center for Children & Adults. For many seniors, the fastest fix is finding the right regional closet, confirming the item is really in stock, and solving pickup.

Emergency help now

• Call the senior’s doctor, hospital discharge planner, home health agency, or hospice team now and ask for a same-day lead on a walker, commode, wheelchair, bed, or transfer item.
• Call the statewide Aging and Disability Resource Center line at 1-855-565-2017 or Alaska 2-1-1 at 2-1-1 or 1-800-478-2221 to search regional options fast.
• If the senior cannot safely toilet, transfer, or sleep at home tonight, call the medical provider immediately; if there is immediate danger, call 911.

Quick help box

• Fast statewide start: Call Assistive Technology of Alaska at 907-563-2599 or 1-800-723-2852.
• State navigation help: Call the Alaska ADRC network at 1-855-565-2017.
• Local database search: Call Alaska 2-1-1 at 2-1-1 or 1-800-478-2221, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed noon to 1:00 p.m.
• Anchorage or Fairbanks: Start with Access Alaska’s DME Loan Closet.
• Mat-Su: Try Valley Charities first, then A.C.E..
• Kenai, Homer, Seward, or Kodiak: Call the Independent Living Center loan closet.
• Southeast: Call SAIL’s assistive technology and loan closet program.

What this help is, and what it is not

What it is: Durable medical equipment, or DME, usually means reusable items such as walkers, wheelchairs, bedside commodes, shower chairs, transfer benches, hospital beds, and similar home-use equipment. In Alaska, many of these items move through community loan closets, reuse programs, or nonprofit lending programs rather than through one central state warehouse.

What assistive technology means: Assistive technology, or AT, is broader than DME. It can include magnifiers, hearing devices, communication aids, daily living tools, smart-home supports, and other items that help a person stay safe and independent. That matters in Alaska because some statewide help is really AT help, not just walker-and-wheelchair help.

What it is not: Community reuse is not the same as Medicare, Alaska Medicaid, or private insurance coverage. It is also not emergency medical care, custom fitting, or a guarantee that a power chair, bariatric bed, specialty mattress, or complex respiratory item will be available on short notice.

Quick facts for Alaska seniors

• No single state loan-closet portal: Alaska’s best statewide entry points are ATLA, ADRC, and Alaska 2-1-1.
• Most real borrowing happens regionally: Anchorage, Fairbanks, Mat-Su, Kenai Peninsula, Kodiak, and Southeast all have different main players.
• Mat-Su is one of the strongest regions: Valley Charities, A.C.E., Access Alaska, and LINKS Resource Center all matter there.
• Fairbanks rules can be different: The Alaska Center for Children & Adults uses deposits and a cleaning fee for its loan closet.
• Pickup is a big Alaska issue: Inventory may exist, but getting it home can be the hardest part.
• Insurance is separate: If the item is long-term, custom, or medically necessary, you may need a provider order and insurance approval instead of a community loan.

Best statewide starting points in Alaska

As of April 2026, Alaska’s public-facing system is a network, not a single statewide DME loan-closet directory. These are the best first calls.

Starting point	Best when you need	What it can do	How to reach it
Alaska Assistive Technology Program through Assistive Technology of Alaska	Statewide help, reuse, assistive technology, backup solutions, rural problem-solving	Connects Alaskans to loan and reuse options, including free and used products; also offers ReUse, short-term loans, TechAbility, and Alaska Relay	907-563-2599 or 1-800-723-2852
Aging and Disability Resource Centers	Statewide navigation for seniors, caregivers, long-term services, mobility devices, and home access issues	Helps find local services, transportation, Medicaid and Medicare options, and assistive technology resources	1-855-565-2017
Alaska 2-1-1	Fast local search when you are not sure who serves your area	Searches community, health, and human-service resources statewide	2-1-1 or 1-800-478-2221
Access Alaska DME Loan Closet	Basic DME in Anchorage and Fairbanks, plus broader senior and disability referral help	Loans wheelchairs, transfer benches, magnifiers, hospital beds, commodes, walkers, and grab bars	Anchorage 907-263-1913; Fairbanks 907-717-7722

Why these four matter first: ATLA is Alaska’s closest thing to a statewide reuse and assistive-technology hub. The ADRC network is the state’s official navigation system for seniors and caregivers. Alaska 2-1-1 helps uncover smaller local programs that do not always show up well in search results. Access Alaska is the best-known nonprofit DME lender in Anchorage and Interior Alaska, and it also has broader offices in Anchorage, Wasilla, Fairbanks, and Soldotna.

Major regional organizations and what makes each one different

Region	Main programs	Common equipment	Important local notes
Anchorage and Interior	Access Alaska; ACCA in Fairbanks	Wheelchairs, walkers, commodes, transfer benches, hospital beds, canes, crutches	Access Alaska lists direct DME contacts in Anchorage and Fairbanks. ACCA uses refundable deposits if returned within 3 months, plus a $10 cleaning fee.
Mat-Su Borough	Valley Charities; A.C.E.; LINKS Resource Center	Recovery DME, beds, bathroom aids, mobility aids, lifts, some supplies	Valley Charities is free and short-term, usually up to 6 months, and only holds confirmed items for 24 hours. A.C.E. says its loans are free, by appointment, with no income limit, no prescription requirement, and no time limit.
Kenai, Homer, Seward, Kodiak, Valdez-Cordova	Independent Living Center	Wheelchairs, walkers, shower benches, bedside commodes, knee scooters, crutches, low-vision and sound devices	Each ILC office keeps a loan closet. Offices are in Homer, Soldotna, Seward, and Kodiak.
Southeast Alaska	SAIL	Wheelchairs, walkers, magnifiers, and hearing devices	SAIL serves Southeast through Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan. The Juneau loan closet hours are listed as 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Statewide AT and reuse	ATLA ReUse and short-term loan services	Daily-living aids, vision tools, hearing help, communication tools, backup assistive devices, some reused equipment	Best when the need is broader than basic DME, or when a rural family needs help figuring out alternatives.

Anchorage and Interior Alaska

Access Alaska is the strongest starting point in Anchorage and a major one in Fairbanks. Its public DME page lists wheelchairs, transfer benches, magnifiers, hospital beds, commodes, walkers, and grab bars. If you are in Anchorage, call the DME line before driving across town. If you are in Fairbanks, call the Fairbanks DME line first because inventory can shift.

In Fairbanks, the Alaska Center for Children & Adults is a useful second stop for simple mobility needs. It publishes clear deposit amounts: wheelchair $65, bariatric wheelchair $80, walker $30, seated walker $50, knee walker $50, crutches $15, and canes $15. The deposit is refundable if the item comes back within 3 months, and every loan includes a $10 nonrefundable cleaning fee.

Mat-Su Borough

Mat-Su is one of the best-covered parts of Alaska for free equipment. Valley Charities has been lending DME to Mat-Su residents since 1956 and says there is never a charge to the person using the program. It is built for short-term recovery, usually up to 6 months. The program also posts 2026 pickup and drop-off schedules for Big Lake, Willow, and Talkeetna, which is unusually practical for Alaska families who cannot easily get to Wasilla.

A.C.E. — Austin’s Compassion Exchange works differently. It says it redistributes medical equipment and supplies statewide, by appointment, free of charge, with no income restrictions, no prescription requirement, and no time limit. That makes A.C.E. one of the best Alaska backups when a family needs longer use, a broader mix of supplies, or a program that is less tied to short-term recovery.

The LINKS Resource Center, Mat-Su’s ADRC, also keeps a local DME lending-closet page that points users to Valley Charities, A.C.E., and Access Alaska. That page is worth checking if the first call is a dead end.

Kenai Peninsula, Kodiak, Homer, Seward, and nearby communities

The Independent Living Center is central in this part of Alaska. Each office maintains a loan closet for temporary and long-term everyday needs, with items such as wheelchairs, walkers, shower benches, bedside commodes, knee scooters, crutches, magnifiers, and sound amplifying devices. The ILC also says knowledgeable staff can help people obtain equipment and training.

Its office contacts are especially helpful because service area matters in Alaska. Homer is 907-235-7911 or 1-800-770-7911, Soldotna is 907-262-6333 or 1-800-770-7911, Seward is 907-224-8711, and Kodiak is 907-486-0493. The ILC also runs supported transportation voucher programs in Homer, the Central Peninsula, Seward, and Kodiak, which may help families work through transportation barriers around care and equipment access.

Southeast Alaska

Southeast Alaska Independent Living, or SAIL, is the main loan-closet name in Southeast. SAIL says it maintains an assistive technology and equipment loan closet with items such as wheelchairs, walkers, magnifiers, and hearing devices. It also says the Juneau office loan closet is open 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and that Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan all offer assistive-technology support.

SAIL is worth more than one phone call because it also describes a Consumer Service Fund that can help purchase adaptive equipment, home modifications, or other services to promote independence. That matters when a closet has “something close,” but not the right item.

Statewide assistive-technology programs that Alaska seniors should know

If your need is broader than a simple walker or commode, ATLA’s access services matter. ATLA’s statewide programs include short-term equipment loans, ReUse, Alaska Relay, and TechAbility. ATLA is especially useful for vision aids, hearing help, communication tools, daily-living devices, and backup equipment while waiting for a repair or delivery.

TechAbility: ATLA says qualified Alaskans can receive lifetime equipment loans, and it notes that all Alaska Mental Health Trust beneficiaries qualify. Alaska Relay: this is separate from DME closets and is for free distance-communication equipment and services for Alaskans who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or speech-disabled. Home barriers: if the real problem is the house, not the equipment, HomeMAP helps Alaskans navigate accessibility changes and lists maximum grants of $15,000 for owner-occupied homes and $12,000 for rentals.

What equipment is commonly available in Alaska loan closets

• Most common: walkers, canes, crutches, manual wheelchairs, transport chairs, bedside commodes, shower chairs, and transfer benches.
• Often available at larger programs: hospital beds, transfer boards, grab bars, knee scooters, magnifiers, hearing support items, and other daily-living aids.
• Less predictable: bariatric sizes, power mobility, specialty mattresses, custom seating, and complex respiratory gear.
• Smart question to ask: “Do you have the exact size or type I need right now?” That saves wasted travel in Alaska.

How loans usually work in Alaska

1. You contact the program first: usually by phone, email, or an online request form.
2. Staff check inventory: many Alaska programs do not promise equipment until staff confirm it is in stock.
3. You review the rules: ask about pickup, return, waivers, deposits, cleaning fees, and whether someone else can pick up for you.
4. You sign paperwork: some programs use a release or loan agreement.
5. You pick up the item: many programs are pickup-first, not delivery-first.
6. You return it when no longer needed: keep all parts together and return it clean if the program asks.

Rules can be very different: Valley Charities is a free short-term program, usually up to 6 months. A.C.E. says there is no time limit, but items must come back when no longer needed. ACCA uses deposits that are refunded only if the item comes back within 3 months. That is why Alaska families should ask the rules before they make the drive.

What to ask before pickup

• Fit: What are the seat width, height, weight limit, and footprint?
• Home layout: Will it fit through the bathroom door, hallway, or bedroom?
• Condition: Has it been cleaned, checked, and fully assembled?
• Parts: Are the footrests, leg rests, mattress, charger, sling, or bolts included?
• Use: Who will show us how to use it safely?
• Pickup: Can someone else pick it up for me, and what vehicle do I need?
• Costs: Is there any deposit, cleaning fee, or replacement charge if something is lost?
• Return: When is it due back, and what happens if weather or travel delays the return?

Transportation and delivery issues in Alaska

For many Alaska seniors, the hard part is not finding the item. It is getting the item home. Most programs expect pickup. Hospital beds, lifts, and larger shower equipment may need a truck, cargo space, tools, and two adults who can safely load them.

• Ask for dimensions first: a walker may fit in any car, but a bed frame or lift may not.
• Ask whether the item can be disassembled: this matters for village travel, ferry travel, and small vehicles.
• Ask whether the program can hold the item: some can, some cannot. Valley Charities says confirmed items are only held for 24 hours.
• Use local workarounds: Valley Charities posts satellite pickup and drop-off schedules for Big Lake, Willow, and Talkeetna.
• Use regional support: the ILC’s transportation programs may help families work through access barriers while they arrange equipment.
• Do not assume Medicaid will deliver community equipment: Alaska’s Medicaid transportation benefit is written for medically necessary trips to appointments.

What to do first

• Step 1: Write down the exact problem. “Needs a walker today after knee surgery” is much better than “needs help walking.”
• Step 2: Call the best regional program first. Anchorage or Fairbanks: Access Alaska. Mat-Su: Valley Charities or A.C.E.. Kenai, Homer, Seward, or Kodiak: ILC. Southeast: SAIL.
• Step 3: If that call fails, contact ATLA, the ADRC network, and Alaska 2-1-1 the same day.
• Step 4: Confirm size, safety, parts, and return rules before you leave home.
• Step 5: Arrange pickup, a helper, and a vehicle before the item is reserved for someone else.
• Step 6: If the item will be needed long term, ask the doctor at once whether insurance should be paying for a rental or purchase instead.

What to gather or know first

• ☐ The senior’s height, weight, and main mobility problem
• ☐ The exact item needed, or the closest plain-language description
• ☐ Whether the need is for days, weeks, months, or permanently
• ☐ Bathroom setup, stairs, doorway width, and bed height at home
• ☐ Whether a doctor, therapist, or hospital gave instructions
• ☐ Whether someone can safely pick up and load the item
• ☐ Any budget for deposits or cleaning fees
• ☐ A backup plan if the first closet says no

What to do if a rural senior cannot find help nearby

Rural Alaska families should think in regions, not just towns. If your village or small community has no closet, the next best move is to call the correct regional navigator, then widen the search.

Best regional contacts: Anchorage ADRC 907-343-7770; Mat-Su LINKS 907-373-3632; Fairbanks ADRC North 907-452-2551; Kenai Peninsula, Kodiak, and Valdez-Cordova ILC 907-262-6333 or 1-800-770-7911; Southeast SAIL 1-800-478-7245; Western Alaska and Bristol Bay Bristol Bay Native Association’s ADRC region 1-800-478-4139.

• Call your regional ADRC first: the state says ADRCs can help people find mobility devices, transportation, and home access resources.
• Call ATLA next: statewide AT help is often the best option when the local answer is “we do not have that here.”
• Ask tribal health or your village clinic: care coordinators, case managers, and discharge staff often know local workarounds that never make it online.
• Ask whether the item can be shipped or received locally: sometimes a clinic, relative, or senior center in the hub community can receive it for you.
• Shift to coverage if needed: if the device is long-term, a doctor-ordered rental or purchase may be more realistic than repeated borrowing.
• Think beyond equipment: if stairs, bathrooms, or narrow doors are the real problem, ask about HomeMAP.

Reality checks

• Inventory changes fast: an item that was available yesterday may be gone today.

• Big items are hardest: beds, lifts, and bariatric equipment usually take longer to find and move.

• Rural problems are often logistics problems: the closet may have the item, but pickup, cargo, and weather may be the real barrier.

• Free does not always mean instant: intake, waivers, cleaning, and travel still take time.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Waiting until discharge day to start calling
• Asking for a vague item without size or home-layout details
• Driving a long distance before staff confirm the item is still available
• Assuming Medicaid or Medicare and a community loan closet are the same thing
• Forgetting to ask how a bed, lift, or larger item will get into the house
• Ignoring return rules, deposits, or missing parts
• Taking an item home without asking how to use it safely

What to do if the first path does not work

• Widen the Alaska search: call ATLA, the ADRC network, and Alaska 2-1-1 the same day.
• Try a second regional program: for example, Fairbanks families can try both Access Alaska and ACCA; Mat-Su families can try both Valley Charities and A.C.E..
• Move to insurance coverage: Alaska’s Medicaid recipient handbook says DME and supplies must be ordered by a qualified provider and approved by Medicaid, and some items require authorization.
• Use Medicare help if needed: Alaska’s Medicare Information Office offers free counseling at 1-800-478-6065.
• Check the home, not just the device: if the same problem keeps happening, ask about HomeMAP or other home-access options.
• Use national backup options only after you know the exact device: get the correct name, size, and features from your provider or from ATLA before you call insurers, suppliers, or national disease groups.

Frequently asked questions

Is there one official Alaska DME loan-closet website?

No. Alaska does not have one simple state-run webpage that lists every active loan closet in the state. The best statewide entry points are ATLA, the ADRC network, and Alaska 2-1-1, then the right regional lender.

Where should I start if I need a walker, commode, or wheelchair this week?

Start by region. Anchorage and Fairbanks should call Access Alaska. Mat-Su should try Valley Charities and then A.C.E.. Kenai, Homer, Seward, and Kodiak should call the Independent Living Center. Southeast should call SAIL.

Are Alaska loan closets really free?

Many are. Valley Charities says there is never a charge to the person receiving help. A.C.E. says its equipment is free. ACCA is different because it uses deposits and a $10 cleaning fee. Always ask before pickup.

What if I need a hospital bed or lift?

Those items are harder to find and harder to move. Call the larger programs first, especially Access Alaska, A.C.E., and ATLA, and ask about transport and assembly before you commit. If the need will be long term, ask the doctor about insurance coverage right away.

Can Alaska Medicaid or Medicare pay instead of using a loan closet?

Sometimes, yes. Alaska Medicaid says DME and supplies must be ordered by a qualified provider and approved by Medicaid, and some items need authorization. Medicare can also cover some medically necessary equipment, but community loan closets are separate from that process. For Medicare help in Alaska, call the Medicare Information Office at 1-800-478-6065.

What if I live in a village or off the road system?

Call the right regional ADRC and ATLA first, then involve your tribal health organization, village clinic, hospital discharge planner, or care coordinator. In rural Alaska, getting the item to you may be a bigger problem than finding it.

Where can I donate medical equipment in Alaska?

Good first calls include ATLA ReUse, Access Alaska, A.C.E., SAIL, Valley Charities, ACCA, and the Independent Living Center. Call first because donation rules vary by program and by item type.

What should I ask before I accept borrowed equipment?

Ask whether it is the right size, whether all parts are included, whether it has been cleaned, whether someone can show you safe use, and what the return rules are. In Alaska, also ask the practical question: “How do I get this home?”

Resumen en español

En Alaska no existe un solo directorio estatal sencillo para encontrar equipo médico duradero prestado o reutilizado. Lo mejor es comenzar con Assistive Technology of Alaska, con la red estatal de Aging and Disability Resource Centers y con Alaska 2-1-1. Ellos pueden orientar a la familia hacia programas regionales como Access Alaska, Valley Charities o el Independent Living Center. Si usted vive en una comunidad rural, no espere al último minuto porque el transporte y la recogida pueden ser el problema principal.

En Mat-Su, Valley Charities y A.C.E. suelen ser opciones importantes. En el sureste, SAIL mantiene un préstamo de equipo, y en Fairbanks ACCA también presta artículos con depósito en algunos casos. Si el problema real es la seguridad del baño, las escaleras o la entrada de la casa, pregunte por HomeMAP. Antes de recoger cualquier equipo, confirme el tamaño, la limpieza, las piezas incluidas, el costo si existe y las reglas de devolución.

About This Guide

This guide uses official federal, state, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article, including the Alaska Assistive Technology Program, the Alaska ADRC network, ATLA, Alaska 2-1-1, Access Alaska, Valley Charities, the Independent Living Center, SAIL, ACCA, A.C.E., the Alaska Medicaid handbook, and the Alaska Medicare Information Office.

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, office, utility, facility, or program guidance. Individual outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

Verification: Last verified April 16, 2026, next review August 2026.

Corrections: Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we respond within 72 hours.

Disclaimer: This article is informational only and is not legal, financial, medical, or government-agency advice. Office procedures, program rules, inventory, transportation arrangements, and provider policies can change quickly in Alaska. Confirm current details directly with the official office, program, clinic, or provider before acting.