DME Loan Closets and Medical Equipment Reuse in California

Last updated: 16 April 2026

Bottom Line: California does not have one single, senior-only statewide durable medical equipment (DME) loan closet. The best statewide starting point is Ability Tools, California’s Assistive Technology Act program, plus your county’s Area Agency on Aging and, where available, the local Aging and Disability Resource Connection. Many California nonprofits and Independent Living Centers can help with wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs, commodes, ramps, and sometimes hospital beds or lifts, but the rules, hours, and service areas vary a lot by region.

Emergency help now

• Call Ability Tools now: 1-800-390-2699 and ask for the nearest reuse center, device loan option, or statewide shipment option.
• Call California’s aging network now: 1-800-510-2020 to reach your local Area Agency on Aging for fast local referrals and transportation help.
• If insurance or a supplier is blocking medically necessary equipment: call your plan first, then use Medicare at 1-800-633-4227, the Medi-Cal Ombudsman at 1-888-452-8609, or the California Department of Managed Health Care at 1-888-466-2219, depending on your coverage.

Quick help box

• Fastest statewide search: the NATADS Public Access and AT Exchange through Ability Tools.
• Best first call for older adults: your county Area Agency on Aging or local Aging and Disability Resource Connection.
• Best if you live rural: call Ability Tools device lending because many items can ship statewide, then contact your nearest Independent Living Center.
• Best Bay Area options: ReCARES, MELP, and Avenidas.
• Best Southern California options: Convalescent Aid Society, Goodwill OC ATEC, Disabled Resources Center, and Rolling Start.
• Good backup: your local 211 California provider.

What this help is, and what it is not

What it is: California’s DME loan closets and reuse programs are community-based services that collect donated medical equipment, clean and inspect it, and then loan it out or give it away for free or low cost. In California, the closest true statewide entry point is Ability Tools’ reuse network and the California Assistive Technology Reuse Coalition.

What it is not: A community reuse closet is not the same thing as a Medicare or Medi-Cal supplier. Medicare Part B covers medically necessary DME through enrolled suppliers, while community programs depend on donated inventory and local rules. That means a reuse closet can be faster and cheaper, but it may not have the exact size, model, or specialty item you need.

California-specific reality: Many of the best California options are not labeled “senior” programs. They may be run by an Independent Living Center, a local senior nonprofit, or a county-connected network. Seniors should not skip those programs just because the word “senior” is not in the title.

Quick facts

• No single statewide senior closet: California does not run one statewide DME loan closet just for older adults.
• Main statewide starting point: Ability Tools works with the California Department of Rehabilitation and offers lending, reuse, and referral services statewide.
• Short-term loans exist statewide: Ability Tools Device Lending and Demonstration Centers provide free short-term loans, usually up to 30 days, and many items can ship statewide.
• County aging network matters: California has 33 Area Agencies on Aging, but not every AAA offers ADRC services.
• 211 is useful, but local: the 211 California network says it serves more than 98% of the state, but each county or region maintains its own database.
• Rules differ inside California: some programs are by appointment only, some are county-limited, some allow long loans, and some require pickup.

The best statewide starting points in California

Starting point	What it does	Best for	How to use it
Ability Tools	California’s statewide assistive technology program with reuse listings, device loans, and information specialists.	Anyone in California who needs a statewide search instead of guessing county by county.	Call 1-800-390-2699 or search NATADS Public Access.
California Assistive Technology Reuse Coalition	Coalition of California organizations that accept and redistribute used assistive technology and DME.	People looking for the closest thing to a statewide reuse map.	Use the coalition site, then follow its links to the Ability Tools reuse list.
Area Agency on Aging / ADRC	Local aging referrals, short-term service coordination, options counseling, and transition help.	Seniors, caregivers, and adult children who need a local human being to point them to the right county resources.	Call 1-800-510-2020 or use the county finder.
Independent Living Centers	Local disability and independent living organizations that often know the best reuse, loan, and repair options nearby.	Rural residents, people leaving facilities, and households needing local advocacy.	Search by ZIP or city, then ask if they run or know a reuse or lending program.
211 California	County-based resource databases and call centers.	Backup when statewide sites do not show a close match.	Dial 211 or use your local 211 website.

The California programs and networks that matter most

1) Ability Tools is the statewide front door

Why it matters: Ability Tools is California’s Assistive Technology (AT) Act program. It offers a statewide information line, an online exchange for free or low-cost devices, a reuse network, and Device Lending and Demonstration Centers across California.

What seniors can do there: search the NATADS Public Access portal for free items, low-cost used items, want ads, and loans. Ability Tools says its lending centers can provide free short-term loans for up to 30 days, and that most items can ship to borrowers throughout California. That point matters a lot for rural seniors.

2) California’s aging network is the best local route for seniors

Why it matters: the California Department of Aging county finder is often the fastest way for a family to reach the right local office. California’s 33 Area Agencies on Aging coordinate services at the community level, and the Aging and Disability Resource Connection can provide warm hand-offs, options counseling, short-term service coordination, and transition help when a person is trying to stay out of a nursing facility or return home safely.

Important California detail: the state says not all Area Agencies on Aging provide ADRC services, so if your county does not use the ADRC label, still call the AAA and ask for DME loan closet leads, transportation help, and any hospital discharge resources.

3) Independent Living Centers are often where the real local knowledge lives

Why it matters: California’s Independent Living Center network and the Ability Tools AT Advocate list can connect you to local staff who know which reuse centers are active, which ones have beds or ramps, and which programs are worth the drive. California’s official AT state plan says some ILC partners support direct reassignment of donated DME, including items such as hospital beds and Hoyer lifts, and some programs offer open-ended loans instead of a short trial period.

4) 211 works, but do not treat it like one uniform California program

Why it matters: 211 California coordinates a statewide network, but the actual service data is county or regional. That means one county may have a strong medical equipment list while another may be thin. Use 211 as a backup search, not your only search.

Major regional California organizations that can help

Region	Program	What stands out	Practical note
Bay Area	ReCARES	Free medical equipment and supplies, with locations in Oakland, San Francisco, and Marin.	No ID or insurance information is required. Large items use a referral system.
Peninsula	Medical Equipment Loan Program (MELP)	Provides used DME to anyone who needs it.	The program says donated items are inspected, repaired, cleaned, and inventoried before reuse.
Palo Alto / South Bay	Avenidas Medical Equipment Loan Closet	Wheelchairs, walkers, and other medical equipment.	By appointment only.
Nevada, Sierra, Yuba, Sutter, Colusa counties	FREED	Strong assistive technology help in a rural part of the state.	FREED says it serves a five-county area and runs one of California’s busiest device lending libraries.
Chico / Redding and Northern California	Disability Action Center	Assistive technology and independent living support in the North State.	Good fallback if your county has no obvious loan closet of its own.
San Luis Obispo / Central Coast	CCATC	Free lending library for assistive technology.	Can also help people search the statewide NATADS system.
Stanislaus County / Central Valley	Society for disABILITIES	Large loan closet with walkers, wheelchairs, commodes, hospital beds, and more.	Free for Stanislaus County residents. Outside-county borrowers may need a refundable deposit.
San Gabriel Valley / San Fernando Valley	Convalescent Aid Society	Free loan of DME for as long as needed in its service area.	Service-area and co-signer rules apply. Hospital bed delivery is available for a fee based on distance.
Long Beach area	Disabled Resources Center	Short-term AT loan program.	The center lists a 30-day standard loan with possible extension to 60 days.
Orange County	Goodwill OC ATEC	Ability Tools lending and demo partner with mobility devices, magnifiers, and computer access equipment.	Appointment only.
San Bernardino, Inyo, and Mono counties	Rolling Start	Reuse program and AT device lending for the Inland Empire, High Desert, and Eastern Sierra.	Rolling Start says its reuse program provides donated and refurbished items at no cost.

Los Angeles city caution: As of April 2026, the City of Los Angeles Department on Disability DME Program says it is currently paused because it has spent its fiscal-year allocation. If you live in Los Angeles, do not stop there. Move to Ability Tools, local ILCs, Convalescent Aid Society, DRC, or nearby county programs.

What equipment California seniors can usually find

Most commonly available: manual wheelchairs, transport chairs, walkers, rollators, canes, crutches, shower chairs, transfer benches, bedside commodes, toilet seat risers, grabbers, bed rails, and small ramps. You can see those items across California programs such as ReCARES, MELP, Avenidas, Society for disABILITIES, and Convalescent Aid Society.

Sometimes available, but harder: hospital beds, Hoyer lifts, lift chairs, scooters, electric wheelchairs, specialty wheelchairs, and longer ramps. These larger items often depend on storage space, delivery limits, and whether a donor has returned one recently.

Often found through Ability Tools libraries instead of classic DME closets: magnifiers, communication devices, hearing and vision tools, computer access equipment, tablets, software, switches, and mounts.

How loans usually work in California

California does not use one standard set of rules. The same state can have a no-questions-asked walk-in model in one area and a tight appointment-and-service-area model in another.

• Short-term trial loans: Ability Tools usually loans for up to 30 days. Disabled Resources Center lists 30 days with possible extension.
• Longer community loans: some programs lend equipment until you no longer need it. Convalescent Aid Society says it loans equipment for as long as clients need it within its service area.
• Giveaway or reassignment models: some California reuse partners transfer ownership instead of expecting a return.
• Service area rules: some programs are regional or county-based. Society for disABILITIES is free in Stanislaus County but handles outside-county borrowers differently.
• Pickup is common: local closets often expect in-person pickup. ReCARES says it does not assist with transfer or assembly for large equipment.
• Shipping is the exception: statewide AT lending through Ability Tools is one of the few California paths that says most items can ship to borrowers around the state.

What to ask before pickup

1. Is the item in stock right now?
2. Is it a loan, a giveaway, or a deposit-based loan?
3. How long can I keep it?
4. What are the size and weight limits?
5. Does it include all parts? Ask about footrests, chargers, mattress, sling, cushions, or hand brakes.
6. How was it cleaned and inspected?
7. Do you deliver, ship, or only allow pickup?
8. Who assembles it? Never assume the program will set up a bed, ramp, or lift.
9. What paperwork should I bring? Ask about ID, proof of address, and a helper or co-signer if required.

What to do first

• Run two searches on the same day: one statewide through NATADS and one local through your AAA or ADRC.
• Write down the exact item needed: “walker with seat” is much better than “walking thing.”
• Measure first: know the user’s height, weight, doorway width, and whether the home has steps.
• Call before driving: California programs often have limited hours, limited storage, or appointment-only pickup.
• Start the insurance path too: if the senior may need a covered item long term, ask the doctor to start the Medicare or Medi-Cal supplier process while you look for reused equipment.
• Keep a short list of backups: if the first place says no, call the next two the same day.

What to gather or know first

• ☐ The senior’s county, ZIP code, and whether the item will be used at home, in assisted living, or after hospital discharge.
• ☐ The exact item needed, plus any special features such as bariatric size, foldable frame, left/right setup, or power option.
• ☐ The senior’s height and weight.
• ☐ Doorway width, bathroom layout, and whether there are steps at the entrance.
• ☐ A pickup plan, including car type, driver, and who can lift the item.
• ☐ For beds or power chairs, whether you also need a mattress, charger, sling, or assembly help.
• ☐ If you are using insurance too, the doctor’s order, insurance card, and supplier name.

Transportation, delivery, and rural California problems

Rural California is where statewide tools matter most. A senior in Modoc County, Trinity County, Alpine County, or a remote part of the Sierra should not assume the nearest help must be in the same county. California’s regional service areas are often bigger than they look on a map.

• Widen your search to the nearest hub city: Chico, Redding, Grass Valley, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, Long Beach, Santa Ana, or San Bernardino may serve a broader region than just the city named on the website.
• Ask Ability Tools about shipping: its Device Lending and Demonstration Centers say most items can ship statewide.
• Ask the aging network about rides: California’s Home and Community Services may include transportation or assisted transportation through local partners.
• If the senior depends on powered equipment in wildfire or outage country: ask your local ILC about backup battery, Public Safety Power Shutoff planning, and medical baseline support. Some California ILC partners, such as CID in San Mateo County, specifically mention power-related device support.
• Use national backup only after California routes: try the Eldercare Locator for older-adult services and a disease-specific group such as the ALS Association equipment loan program if that condition applies.

Sanitation and condition questions

Many established California programs do clean and inspect equipment. MELP says items are inspected, repaired, cleaned, and inventoried. Convalescent Aid Society says every piece is sanitized and repaired when needed. Avenidas says equipment is sanitized before lending. Still, community reuse is not the same as buying a new product from a medical supplier.

• Look for damage: rust, loose wheels, cracked seats, missing tips, weak brakes, frayed straps, or bent frames.
• Check missing parts before leaving: especially footrests, leg rests, chargers, and hand controls.
• Ask whether soft goods are included: mattresses, cushions, and slings are handled differently from hard equipment.
• Test fit and safety when possible: make sure the item works for the user’s body size and home layout.

Reality checks

• No single California answer: this is a network problem, not a one-office problem. The right answer usually comes from combining a statewide search with a local one.
• The hardest items are the ones people need most urgently: hospital beds, powered mobility devices, and lifts often take the longest to find.
• Delivery is not standard: many programs can help you find equipment, but not move it into the home.
• Reuse and insurance can run at the same time: many families do better when they borrow now and pursue formal coverage for long-term needs.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Waiting until discharge day to start calling.
• Assuming every program serves the whole state.
• Driving over without calling first.
• Forgetting to ask about size, weight limit, and missing parts.
• Confusing a community closet with a Medicare or Medi-Cal supplier.
• Not arranging transportation before you reserve a bed, lift, or ramp.
• Keeping unused equipment too long instead of returning it so another family can use it.

What to do if the first path does not work

• Post a want ad on the AT Exchange / NATADS system.
• Call the next nearest region, not just the next nearest town.
• Ask your local Independent Living Center whether it knows a church, hospice, senior center, rehab hospital, or disease group that keeps an unlisted closet.
• Start a covered DME request with the doctor and supplier if the need may last longer than the local loan can cover.
• If coverage is denied or delayed, get help fast: California offers HICAP at 1-800-434-0222 for Medicare counseling, the Medi-Cal Ombudsman at 1-888-452-8609, and the DMHC Help Center at 1-888-466-2219 for many health plan complaints.
• Use national backup carefully: the Eldercare Locator and disease groups can help when California’s local search comes up empty.

Frequently asked questions

Is there one statewide California DME loan closet just for seniors?

No. California does not have one senior-only statewide DME closet. The best practical statewide route is Ability Tools, then your county Area Agency on Aging, your local Independent Living Center, and local or regional nonprofits.

What is the fastest statewide place to start?

The fastest statewide starting point is usually NATADS Public Access / AT Exchange plus the Ability Tools phone line at 1-800-390-2699. That gives you one statewide search instead of checking random county pages one by one.

Can a caregiver or adult child pick up equipment for a California senior?

Usually yes, but each California program has its own rules. For example, ReCARES does not require ID or insurance information, while Convalescent Aid Society has service-area, residency, and co-signer rules. Always ask what paperwork the borrower or helper must bring.

Will California programs deliver equipment to rural areas?

Sometimes. Ability Tools says most device loan items can ship statewide. Local DME closets are much more likely to require pickup. For large equipment, ReCARES says recipients must inspect the item and handle the transfer themselves, while Convalescent Aid Society offers hospital bed delivery for a fee based on distance.

What equipment is easiest to find, and what is hardest?

The easiest items are basic mobility and bathroom safety equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs, commodes, shower chairs, and canes. The hardest items are hospital beds, powered mobility devices, Hoyer lifts, specialty chairs, and items that need extra parts like chargers, slings, or mattresses.

Is reused equipment the same as Medicare or Medi-Cal coverage?

No. Reuse programs are community programs. Medicare Part B covers medically necessary DME through enrolled suppliers. For Medi-Cal, use your provider, plan, and the state’s Where to Get Help page for coverage and complaint questions. Many California families use a reuse program now while they wait on the insurance path.

What should I do if my health plan or supplier denies needed equipment?

Ask for the denial in writing and file an urgent grievance if needed. California offers free Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) help at 1-800-434-0222 for Medicare questions. Medi-Cal managed care members can use the Office of the Ombudsman at 1-888-452-8609. Many private and managed health plan complaints can go to the Department of Managed Health Care at 1-888-466-2219. Medicare problems can also go to 1-800-MEDICARE.

Is the City of Los Angeles DME program open right now?

Not as of April 2026. The City of Los Angeles Department on Disability page says the DME program is currently paused because it has spent its fiscal-year allocation. Los Angeles residents should move quickly to nearby alternatives instead of waiting on that program to reopen.

Resumen en español

California no tiene un solo programa estatal para adultos mayores que preste equipo médico duradero. El mejor comienzo estatal es Ability Tools, que conecta a residentes con préstamos, centros de reutilización y el sistema NATADS para buscar equipo gratis o de bajo costo. Para ayuda local, los adultos mayores y sus familias deben usar la página del Area Agency on Aging por condado o llamar al 1-800-510-2020.

En California, las reglas cambian mucho por región. En el Área de la Bahía, ReCARES y MELP son opciones fuertes. En el Valle Central, Society for disABILITIES puede ayudar. En el sur del estado, Convalescent Aid Society, Goodwill OC ATEC y Rolling Start son recursos importantes. Si vive en una zona rural, pregunte si el equipo puede enviarse por correo y busque también su Independent Living Center más cercano.

Si el equipo debe ser cubierto por Medicare o Medi-Cal, ese proceso es distinto al de un “loan closet.” Use los programas comunitarios para resolver la necesidad inmediata, pero también hable con el médico y con su plan de salud. Si hay una negación o demora, use HICAP, la página estatal de ayuda de Medi-Cal y el Department of Managed Health Care si corresponde.

About This Guide

This guide uses official federal, state, 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, 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 and is not legal, financial, medical, or government-agency advice. Office procedures, utility policies, complaint routes, program rules, service areas, and inventory can change. Confirm current details directly with the official office, program, health plan, or provider before you act.