DME Loan Closets and Medical Equipment Reuse in Massachusetts

Written & Reviewed by

Analic Mata-Murray

Managing Editor

Yolanda Taylor

Senior Healthcare Editor

Last updated: 16 April 2026

Bottom line: Massachusetts has real help for seniors who need durable medical equipment (DME), but it is not organized through one single official statewide loan-closet directory. Start with REquipment and the state’s MassAbility device-loan list, then contact your local Council on Aging, Aging Services Access Point, or Independent Living Center. If the need is urgent, call more than one path on the same day.

Emergency help now

• If a hospital or rehab discharge is happening within 24 hours, ask the discharge planner to work both the reuse route and the insurance route through Medicare or MassHealth right away.
• Call REquipment now at 1-800-261-9841 or 508-713-9690 and ask what is available statewide.
• Call MassOptions at 1-800-243-4636, then your town’s Council on Aging, and ask specifically for a “medical equipment loan closet” or “DME reuse program.”

Quick help for Massachusetts seniors

• Fastest statewide reuse path: REquipment.
• Need to borrow assistive technology, not keep it: MassAbility’s Assistive Technology inventory and device-loan program.
• Need a bigger home-use item in eastern Massachusetts: Freemasons HELP in Woburn.
• Live in western Massachusetts: try Stavros and UCP of Western Massachusetts.
• Need the closest local answer: use the state’s Council on Aging directory and ASAP directory.

What this help is, and what it is not

What it is: DME means durable medical equipment. In Massachusetts, reuse and loan programs may offer items like walkers, rollators, wheelchairs, shower chairs, transfer benches, commodes, patient lifts, hospital beds, and sometimes assistive technology such as hearing, vision, or communication devices. You can see those categories on the state’s MassAbility inventory page, on REquipment’s search page, and on the HELP program page.

What it is not: Reuse help is not the same thing as insurance coverage. Medicare Part B and MassHealth can cover medically necessary DME through enrolled providers, but loan closets and reuse programs depend on donated stock and local rules.

Why Massachusetts feels confusing: the state does not appear to keep one official public directory of every community DME closet. Instead, Massachusetts points people to a mix of statewide programs, local town senior centers, regional aging agencies, and disability organizations such as MassAbility device-loan partners, Councils on Aging, 24 Aging Services Access Points, and Independent Living Centers.

Quick facts for Massachusetts

• Massachusetts has 350 Councils on Aging, and each one sets its own priorities and services.
• The state has 24 regional Aging Services Access Points, so help is usually town-based or region-based, not county-based.
• REquipment is the biggest statewide reuse option for free, gently used, sanitized, and refurbished equipment.
• MassAbility’s Assistive Technology device-loan program lends equipment free for up to four weeks.
• HELP lends home-use equipment with no required fee, but the Woburn site says it does not deliver.
• Low-income Massachusetts residents may qualify for the Easterseals Long Term Device Loan Program for reusable assistive devices under $500.

Best statewide starting points in Massachusetts

Why REquipment should usually be your first statewide search

Start with REquipment. The state’s MassAbility inventory page says REquipment offers no-cost hearing devices, mobility aids, lifts, shower chairs, wheelchairs, and more to Massachusetts residents. REquipment’s own guidance also says the equipment you receive is yours to keep, which is different from a traditional borrow-and-return closet.

Important Massachusetts detail: the state’s MassAbility donation page says REquipment is not currently accepting beds, walkers, commodes, crutches, and canes as donations. That means everyday basics may still be easier to find through HELP or a local senior center or Council on Aging, even though REquipment remains the best statewide reuse search.

MassAbility and other state-linked assistive technology programs

MassAbility is the current name of the state agency formerly known as the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission. Its official agency page and assistive technology services page show that the state partners with Easterseals Massachusetts and UCP of Western Massachusetts for assistive technology services and borrowing.

If money is the main problem, the Long Term Device Loan Program is worth checking. It is for Massachusetts residents with disabilities in households under 200% of the federal poverty level, and it covers reusable devices under $500. The program lists portable ramps, alert systems, grab bars, and speaking devices as examples of higher-priority items.

Major regional organizations and local variation inside Massachusetts

This is where Massachusetts gets very local. A senior in Brookline may find a shower bench nearby, while a senior in Berkshire County may need a regional disability program or statewide delivery help. The programs below matter because they fill the gaps between the statewide search tools and tiny town closets.

Another useful Massachusetts pattern: some eastern senior centers keep only a few items and then refer residents to a bigger regional lender. For example, Wakefield’s senior center page lists a small in-house set of items and also directs people to the Woburn HELP program for a broader selection.

What equipment is commonly available in Massachusetts

The most common Massachusetts loan-closet items are the basics you would expect to find at a senior center or community reuse program: walkers, canes, rollators, shower chairs, transfer benches, commodes, bed rails, transport chairs, and manual wheelchairs. You can see those items on town pages such as Sudbury, Sterling, West Boylston, and Wakefield.

Larger or harder-to-find items are often handled by the bigger regional programs. HELP lists hospital beds, Hoyer lifts, scooters, lift chairs, transfer benches, and more. Stavros says it generally has power wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, bath chairs, hover lifts, and grab bars. REquipment and MassAbility also cover assistive technology, so seniors looking for hearing, vision, or communication devices should not limit the search to “medical equipment” pages only.

How loans usually work in Massachusetts

There are three common models in Massachusetts. First, there is reuse you usually keep, like REquipment. Second, there is short-term borrowing, like the state’s Assistive Technology Regional Center device loans. Third, there is a community lending-library model, like HELP and many local senior-center closets, where you return the item when it is no longer needed.

Most programs are inventory-based. That means there is usually no annual deadline and no guaranteed stock. Local town rules also differ. Councils on Aging set their own priorities. Some town closets help only residents. Some serve surrounding towns. Some accept only smaller items because they do not have room or staff for cleaning and storage.

What to ask before pickup

The APDA Massachusetts equipment guide warns that some devices need a rehabilitation specialist’s evaluation for safe fit. Before you accept any item, ask these questions.

• Loan or keep: Is this a loan that must be returned, or reused equipment that becomes mine?
• Fit: What is the weight limit, seat width, handle height, and overall size?
• Parts: Are footrests, charger, sling, bucket, mattress, armrests, or brakes included?
• Condition: Was it cleaned, disinfected, repaired, or refurbished? Are there any known problems?
• Pickup: Do you deliver? If not, what kind of vehicle do I need?
• Return rules: When should it be returned, and how clean must it be?

What to do first

1. Write down the exact need. Note the item, the deadline, the user’s height and weight, and whether you can pick up the equipment yourself.
2. Search statewide first. Check REquipment and submit a request if you see a match.
3. If the item is really assistive technology, borrow before buying. Use the MassAbility Assistive Technology inventory and, if needed, the AT Regional Centers.
4. Call your local town route. Use the Council on Aging directory and ask whether your town, or a nearby town, has a loan closet.
5. Call the right regional program. That may be HELP, Stavros, UCP, Quincy Helping Hand, or Brookline ELF.
6. If nothing is available, switch to coverage. Ask the doctor or discharge planner about Medicare or MassHealth-covered DME through an enrolled supplier.
7. If you are still stuck, get a human navigator. Call MassOptions or use the federal Eldercare Locator as a backup.

What to gather or know first

The REquipment request process shows the kind of details programs often need. Having this ready will save time.

• ☐ Exact item needed, including whether it must be bariatric, electric, or left/right specific
• ☐ User’s height and weight
• ☐ Town, ZIP code, and best phone number
• ☐ How urgent the need is, including discharge date if there is one
• ☐ Whether you can pick up, and what vehicle you have
• ☐ Insurance type, if you may need to switch to Medicare or MassHealth coverage
• ☐ For donations: item age, condition, pictures, and whether it is clean and complete

Transportation, delivery, sanitation, and rural backup

Transportation matters a lot in Massachusetts. The HELP program says it does not deliver and that beds and lifts must be picked up in a truck or empty cargo van. Some REquipment item pages mention pickup, shipping, or delivery options, but those options can vary by item and partner.

Sanitation matters too. REquipment says donated devices are sanitized and refurbished. HELP’s volunteer duties page describes cleaning with disinfectants and adjusting or fixing equipment. Smaller town closets may have less storage and cleaning capacity, which is one reason pages like Brookline’s and Sudbury’s older guidance tell donors to call before dropping anything off.

If you live in rural Massachusetts, widen the search early. In western counties, use Stavros and UCP of Western Massachusetts. On Cape Cod or in the Springfield area, note that the current HELP brochure lists additional locations in Centerville and Westfield, while the main Woburn page posts specific public hours only for Woburn, so call first to confirm current local access.

If a rural senior still cannot find help nearby

• Use the statewide search anyway: REquipment is still the best first stop even if your town has no closet.
• Ask for human help: MassOptions, your regional ASAP, and your local Independent Living Center can help locate nearby or neighboring options.
• Search the assistive-technology exchange: the getATstuff exchange described by AgeSpan can help widen the search for used assistive technology offered free or for sale.
• If what you really need is a ramp or stair-lift, not movable DME: check the state’s Home Modification Loan Program or, in western Massachusetts, Stavros Home Sweet Home.
• Use a national backup: the federal Eldercare Locator can connect older adults to local aging services.

Reality checks

• Inventory changes fast: what is available this week may be gone tomorrow. That is true for REquipment, local senior centers, and community lenders.

• Bigger items are harder: hospital beds, lifts, scooters, and power chairs are harder to store, harder to clean, and harder to move. That is why bigger programs like HELP, Stavros, and REquipment matter so much.

• Free is not always the right fit: a device that is too low, too narrow, or missing parts can be unsafe. The APDA Massachusetts guide is right to warn that some items need professional fitting advice.

• Town programs vary more than people expect: Massachusetts town senior centers do not run under one uniform rulebook. The state’s own Council on Aging directory says each council sets its own priorities.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Waiting for one perfect statewide directory instead of calling REquipment, your COA, and a regional lender on the same day
• Assuming a reuse program works like Medicare or MassHealth
• Showing up without calling first, especially for donations or large-item pickup
• Taking equipment home without checking fit, brakes, charger, footrests, or return rules
• Assuming every town program takes every donation; many do not

What to do if the first path does not work

• Try two or three paths at once: statewide reuse, local town search, and one regional lender.
• Switch from “free reused” to “covered new” if needed: ask about Medicare or MassHealth.
• If you are low-income and the item is small enough, apply to the Long Term Device Loan Program.
• If the real problem is access in the home, look at the Home Modification Loan Program or Stavros Home Sweet Home.
• If a MassHealth-covered item is delayed or denied, contact My Ombudsman at 1-855-781-9898.
• If you need broader backup, use the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.

Frequently asked questions

Is there one official statewide free medical equipment program in Massachusetts?

No. Massachusetts does not appear to keep one official public directory of every community DME closet. The best statewide entry points are REquipment and the state’s MassAbility device-loan page, followed by your local Council on Aging, ASAP, or Independent Living Center.

Is REquipment a loan closet, or do you keep the equipment?

Usually, you keep it. REquipment is mainly a reuse program rather than a loan program. That makes it especially useful if you need an item for ongoing home use and do not want to worry about returning it.

Where can a Massachusetts senior look for a hospital bed or patient lift?

HELP is one of the strongest public-facing options for larger home-use items, and it lists beds and lifts when available. Stavros and REquipment may also help, but the state’s MassAbility donation page says REquipment is not currently taking beds as donations, so do not rely on it alone for that item.

Do I need a prescription to use a loan closet or reuse program?

Usually not for community reuse or senior-center loan closets. But you often do need medical documentation if you switch to insurance coverage through Medicare or MassHealth. That is why it is smart to keep both routes open when the need is urgent.

What if I live in western or rural Massachusetts?

Use Stavros, UCP of Western Massachusetts, and REquipment together. Also call MassOptions. In western Massachusetts, UCP’s assistive technology roadshow and Stavros’ regional DME work make a big difference for people who are far from Boston or Worcester.

Can Medicare or MassHealth pay if no free equipment is available?

Yes. Medicare Part B covers medically necessary DME for home use through enrolled suppliers, and MassHealth covers medically necessary home DME for members. If you are a MassHealth member and have trouble getting covered equipment, My Ombudsman can help explain your rights and next steps.

Where can I donate medical equipment in Massachusetts?

Start with REquipment’s donation page, but read the accepted-item rules first. For items REquipment is not taking, try HELP, your local Council on Aging, or a local program such as Brookline ELF or Quincy Helping Hand. Always call first.

Resumen en español

En Massachusetts, no hay un solo directorio oficial para todos los clósets de préstamo de equipo médico. La mejor búsqueda estatal suele empezar con REquipment, que ofrece equipo reutilizado gratis en todo el estado, y con MassOptions en español, que puede conectarle con ayuda local. También puede usar el directorio estatal de su Council on Aging para buscar apoyo en su ciudad.

Si vive en el oeste del estado, revise Stavros y UCP of Western Massachusetts. Si necesita pedir prestado equipo por poco tiempo, el programa estatal de MassAbility puede servir. Si no encuentra equipo gratis, pregunte por cobertura de Medicare o MassHealth. Y si el problema es acceso en la casa, no solo equipo movible, revise el Home Modification Loan Program. Si necesita hablar con una persona para encontrar recursos, llame a MassOptions al 1-800-243-4636.

About This Guide

This guide uses official federal, state, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article, including MassAbility, MassOptions, MassHealth, Medicare, REquipment, and official local program pages.

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 16 April 2026, next review 16 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 for informational purposes only. It is not legal, financial, medical, or government-agency advice. Office procedures, program rules, inventory, delivery options, insurance coverage, and local complaint routes can change. Always confirm current details directly with the official office, lender, insurer, or provider before acting.

About the Authors

Analic Mata-Murray

Managing Editor

Analic Mata-Murray holds a Communications degree with a focus on Journalism and Advertising from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello. With over 11 years of experience as a volunteer translator for The Salvation Army, she has helped Spanish-speaking communities access critical resources and navigate poverty alleviation programs.

As Managing Editor at Grants for Seniors, Analic oversees all content to ensure accuracy and accessibility. Her bilingual expertise allows her to create and review content in both English and Spanish, specializing in community resources, housing assistance, and emergency aid programs.

Yolanda Taylor, BA Psychology

Senior Healthcare Editor

Yolanda Taylor is a Senior Healthcare Editor with over six years of clinical experience as a medical assistant in diverse healthcare settings, including OB/GYN, family medicine, and specialty clinics. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Psychology at California State University, Sacramento.

At Grants for Seniors, Yolanda oversees healthcare-related content, ensuring medical accuracy and accessibility. Her clinical background allows her to translate complex medical terminology into clear guidance for seniors navigating Medicare, Medicaid, and dental care options. She is bilingual in Spanish and English and holds Lay Counselor certification and CPR/BLS certification.