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DME Loan Closets and Medical Equipment Reuse in Indiana

Written & Reviewed by

Analic Mata-Murray
Analic Mata-Murray

Managing Editor

Yolanda Taylor
Yolanda Taylor

Senior Healthcare Editor

Last updated: 27 May 2026

Bottom line: Indiana does not appear to have one official state directory that lists every durable medical equipment loan closet. The best first calls are your local aging office, INDATA services, and local programs that lend reused walkers, wheelchairs, canes, commodes, and shower chairs. Inventory changes often, so call before you drive.

This guide is for Indiana seniors, disabled adults, family caregivers, and hospital helpers who need safe equipment fast. It explains where to start, which local leads are worth checking, how loans usually work, and when Medicare or Medicaid may be a better long-term path. For broader statewide benefits, see our Indiana senior benefits guide.

Emergency help now

  • If the senior may fall today: Call 911 for a medical emergency. A loan closet is not emergency care.
  • If discharge is today or tomorrow: Ask the hospital discharge planner for a walker, wheelchair, commode, or shower chair before the patient leaves.
  • If the senior cannot get to the toilet, shower, or bed safely: Call the local Area Agency on Aging and ask for the fastest equipment loan or home-safety referral. Indiana lists local agencies on the Indiana AAA list.
  • If no office is open: Contact Indiana 211. Indiana says people can dial 211, call 866-211-9966, or text their ZIP code to 898-211 for local help.

Quick help box

  • Best statewide referral: Contact INDATA at 317-466-2013 or 888-466-1314 and ask for the right reuse or device loan route.
  • Best local senior match: Call the aging office for your county. Our Indiana AAA guide explains where older adults and caregivers can start.
  • Best weekend backup: Call Indiana 211 and ask for “medical equipment loan closets” near your ZIP code.
  • Best hospital step: Ask the discharge planner to write down the exact item, size, and safety limits before you call charities.
  • Best rule: Never drive to a closet until someone confirms the item is in stock.

Quick reference table

Need Start here Ask for Reality check
Walker, cane, commode, or shower chair Area Agency on Aging, 211, local loan closet Basic DME loan or gift Stock can change the same day.
Wheelchair or scooter INDATA, mobility reuse groups, local disability groups Mobility equipment reuse Power chairs may need batteries, repair, or fitting.
Hospital discharge Hospital social worker Discharge DME plan Ask before leaving the hospital.
Long-term medical need Doctor, Medicare supplier, Medicaid plan Written order and coverage check Insurance can be slower but safer for complex needs.
Rural pickup problem AAA, 211, church, trustee, family helper Delivery or proxy pickup Many closets are pickup only.

Contents

Where to start

Start with the problem, not the program name. A family that says “I need medical equipment” may get a weak answer. A family that says “I need a rolling walker today after hip surgery” is easier to help.

Write down the senior’s county, ZIP code, height, weight, and exact item. If a doctor, physical therapist, or discharge planner gave a recommendation, keep that note nearby. It helps the loan closet avoid unsafe matches.

Use this order for most Indiana seniors:

  • First: Call the local Area Agency on Aging if the senior is older or needs more than one kind of help.
  • Second: Contact INDATA if the item may count as assistive technology, if you need a device loan, or if local offices are stuck.
  • Third: Try Indiana 211 for local churches, civic groups, and small community closets.
  • Fourth: If the item is long-term or complex, ask the doctor about Medicare, Medicaid, or another insurance route.

If the need also involves rent, utilities, food, or a shutoff notice, use the equipment search and the broader emergency path at the same time. Our Indiana emergency help page explains other urgent options.

Statewide starting points

INDATA at Easterseals Crossroads

INDATA is Indiana’s Assistive Technology Act program. It is not a warehouse for every walker in the state. It is a strong statewide contact for device loans, demonstrations, reuse questions, and funding guidance. The official INDATA page says device loans are for 30 days and that the lending library includes more than 2,500 items. The same page lists equipment reutilization and an alternative financing program for assistive technology.

Who should call: Seniors with disabilities, caregivers, people who need to try a device before buying, and people who need a reuse lead beyond their county.

Where to apply: Use the device lending library or call INDATA. Ask whether your need fits a device loan, reuse referral, or funding option.

Reality check: A device loan is often temporary. It may help you test equipment while you work on a longer-term plan.

Indiana Area Agencies on Aging

Indiana’s Area Agencies on Aging provide case management, information, and referrals for older adults and people with developmental disabilities. They are often the best local match for seniors because they know county-level service rules, ride options, caregiver help, and home-care contacts.

Who should call: Seniors age 60 and older, caregivers, people who live alone, and families that need equipment plus other support.

Where to apply: Use the state AAA list or call 800-713-9023 with the senior’s ZIP code.

Reality check: The AAA may not own equipment. Its value is knowing who does, who serves your county, and who may help with pickup.

Indiana 211

Indiana 211 is a practical backup when you need a same-day lead or when the aging office is closed. It can point you to local nonprofits, churches, and community agencies. It may also list programs that do not rank well in search engines.

Who should call: Anyone who needs a local lead by ZIP code.

Where to apply: Dial 211, call 866-211-9966, or text your ZIP code to 898-211.

Reality check: A 211 listing is a lead, not a promise. Call the provider before you drive.

Local Indiana programs worth checking

Indiana help is very local. A closet in one county may serve only residents of that county. Another may accept people from nearby counties if stock is available. Use the table below as verified leads, then confirm current inventory, pickup hours, and service area.

Program Area What it may help with Ask before pickup
Great Lakes Loan Closets Northern Indiana counties Directory of groups that lend DME at low or no cost County coverage and current stock
MALL Bloomington Bloomington and nearby areas Canes, walkers, scooters, wheelchairs, shower chairs, commodes, and transfer devices Pickup time, larger-item storage, and battery needs
Hendricks loan closet Hendricks County Limited supply of walkers, wheelchairs, rollators, and canes First-come rules and county residency
Rehab Equipment LINK Hamilton County area Simple rehab equipment for temporary needs, often 90 days Appointment, online form, and item list
Turnstone equipment loans Fort Wayne area Adaptive equipment loans for people with disabilities Eligibility, loan length, and stock
Wheelchair Recycler Regional mobility reuse Reused wheelchairs, scooters, and other mobility equipment Battery, charger, fit, repair, and delivery limits

Some older online listings may name programs that no longer keep a clear DME page. Do not rely on an old listing alone. Call, confirm, and ask for two backup names if the first group has no stock.

Equipment you may find

Most loan closets handle simple items that can be cleaned, checked, and loaned again. The most common items are walkers, rolling walkers, canes, crutches, manual wheelchairs, transport chairs, bedside commodes, shower chairs, bath benches, and raised toilet seats.

Harder items include hospital beds, patient lifts, bariatric equipment, scooters, power wheelchairs, specialty cushions, oxygen equipment, and pressure-relief items. These may need a doctor, therapist, supplier, or repair check.

Item Usually easier? Safety questions Best path
Walker or cane Yes Right height, rubber tips, weight limit AAA, 211, local closet
Wheelchair Sometimes Brakes, footrests, seat width, tires INDATA, local closet, mobility group
Shower chair Yes Rust, stable legs, non-slip tips Local closet or discharge planner
Bedside commode Often Bucket, frame, seat, weight limit Local closet or hospital social worker
Power chair No Battery, charger, controls, fit INDATA, insurer, mobility reuse
Hospital bed Harder Delivery, setup, rails, mattress Insurance, supplier, large reuse group

Do not use damaged equipment just because it is free. Look for cracks, bent legs, loose brakes, missing screws, worn rubber tips, rust, bad batteries, or a seat that shifts. If the senior has skin wounds, severe weakness, poor balance, or complex transfers, ask a clinician before using borrowed equipment every day.

How loans work

Each Indiana program sets its own rules. Some lend only to residents of one county. Some require an appointment. Some allow a caregiver to pick up the item. Some ask for a deposit or donation. Others lend at no charge. Most do not guarantee delivery.

Use these phone scripts when you call:

Situation Script
Basic item “My mother lives in [county and ZIP]. She needs a rolling walker this week. Do you have one in stock, and may a family member pick it up?”
Hospital discharge “The patient is leaving rehab on [date]. The therapist recommended a bedside commode and shower chair. Can your office help, or do you know the closest loan closet?”
Wheelchair “We need a manual wheelchair for a senior who weighs [weight]. Do you have one with working brakes and footrests? Is it a loan or gift?”
Rural pickup “We are in a rural area and cannot drive far. Do you allow proxy pickup, delivery, or referrals across county lines?”

Before pickup, ask whether the item is a loan or a gift, how long you may keep it, what happens if it breaks, whether it has been cleaned, and what parts are included. For powered equipment, ask about the charger, battery age, and whether anyone tested it.

Insurance and DME

A community loan closet is not the same as insurance coverage. A closet may be faster for a walker or commode. Insurance may be better for long-term or complex equipment.

Medicare says Medicare DME coverage may apply when Part B covers medically necessary DME ordered by a doctor or other health care provider for use in the home. Medicare also says that after the Part B deductible, the person generally pays 20% of the Medicare-approved amount if the supplier accepts assignment.

Indiana Medicaid has separate rules. The state’s Indiana Medicaid DME rules say durable medical equipment must be ordered in writing by an enrolled provider, such as a physician, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse midwife, or physician assistant. Managed care members should also check with their plan.

Use insurance when the item must fit well, will be used long term, or carries higher safety risk. This includes power wheelchairs, scooters, pressure cushions, hospital beds, lifts, oxygen items, and complex rehab equipment. For help with Medicare costs, see our Medicare Savings Programs guide. For online state benefit applications, see the Indiana benefits portal guide.

Rural Indiana help

Rural families may find that the closest loan closet is one or two counties away. Do not stop after one “no.” Ask each office for the next closest lead.

  • Ask the AAA for out-of-county options.
  • Ask INDATA for a statewide reuse referral.
  • Ask 211 for church, township, Lions Club, Rotary, and senior-service leads.
  • Ask the hospital social worker whether a partner group can help after discharge.
  • Ask whether a caregiver, neighbor, or church volunteer can pick up the item.

If the senior also needs help staying at home, our home care in Indiana guide explains the main care paths. Disabled seniors and caregivers may also need the Indiana disability help guide.

How to start without wasting time

  1. Name the item: Say “transport wheelchair,” “bedside commode,” or “tub transfer bench,” not just “equipment.”
  2. Get the size: Know height, weight, seat width, and any stair or doorway limits.
  3. Call first: Confirm stock, pickup hours, service area, and whether someone else may pick up.
  4. Ask about safety: Check brakes, rubber tips, footrests, weight limits, rust, and cleaning.
  5. Plan transport: Ask whether the item folds and whether it fits in a car.
  6. Keep the long-term path open: Ask the doctor whether insurance should cover a better long-term item.
  7. Ask for two more names: If the first program has no stock, ask who else to call.

Veteran households should also ask whether a VA clinic, veteran service officer, or local veterans group can help. Our Indiana veteran benefits guide covers those starting points.

What to gather before you call

  • Senior’s name, county, ZIP code, and phone number
  • Exact equipment needed
  • Height, weight, and seat-width need if known
  • Whether the item is needed short term or long term
  • Whether the senior can safely use stairs, tub walls, or narrow doors
  • Doctor, therapist, or discharge planner recommendation
  • Hospital or rehab discharge date
  • Insurance cards, if you may use Medicare, Medicaid, VA, or private insurance
  • Name of the person who can pick up the item
  • Whether the item must fit in a car, van, or truck

Problems and backups

If the closet has no stock: Ask when donations usually arrive, whether there is a waiting list, and which nearby county has a larger program.

If pickup is the problem: Ask whether a proxy may pick up. Then call the AAA, a church, a township trustee, or a caregiver-support contact. The Indiana charities guide can help with local nonprofit paths.

If the item is unsafe: Do not use it. Ask for another item, call the discharge planner, or ask the doctor to start an insurance order.

If the senior is in Indianapolis: The local aging network and hospital systems may know more options than a statewide search. Our Indianapolis help guide lists broader local support.

If the search is overwhelming: Use one sentence when you call: “I need help finding a safe [item] for a senior in [county] by [date]. Who is the best local contact?”

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Waiting until discharge day to ask for equipment
  • Asking for “medical equipment” without naming the item
  • Driving without confirming stock
  • Not asking about weight limits
  • Taking a wheelchair without footrests when footrests are needed
  • Assuming every closet delivers
  • Using a rusty shower chair or loose walker
  • Giving a Medicare number to someone who called you first
  • Skipping the doctor when the need is long term or complex

Spanish summary

Resumen en español: Indiana no parece tener un solo directorio oficial con todos los lugares que prestan equipo médico usado. Para empezar, llame a su Area Agency on Aging local, a INDATA o a Indiana 211. Pida ayuda para encontrar un “medical equipment loan closet” cerca de su código postal.

Antes de manejar, confirme que el artículo está disponible. Pregunte si es préstamo o regalo, si otra persona puede recogerlo, si hay depósito, si fue limpiado, y si tiene límite de peso. Para una silla de ruedas eléctrica, scooter, cama de hospital, oxígeno, o equipo más complicado, hable también con el doctor, Medicare, Medicaid, o el plan de seguro.

Indiana DME FAQ

Is there one official Indiana loan closet directory?

No clear official state page appears to list every DME loan closet in Indiana. Start with your Area Agency on Aging, INDATA, and Indiana 211, then verify each local lead directly.

What is the best first call for a senior?

For most older adults, call the local Area Agency on Aging first. If the item is assistive technology or mobility equipment, also call INDATA.

Can I get a free wheelchair in Indiana?

Sometimes. Local stock changes often. Try local loan closets, INDATA, Great Lakes Loan Closets if you are in northern Indiana, and regional mobility reuse groups.

Do Indiana loan closets deliver?

Some may, but many are pickup only. Ask whether a family member, caregiver, church volunteer, or local agency may pick up the item.

Should I use Medicare or a loan closet?

Use a safe loan closet item for urgent short-term needs when it fits. Use Medicare, Medicaid, VA, or insurance for long-term, complex, or fitted equipment.

Can a caregiver pick up equipment?

Often yes, but each program sets its own rules. Ask what paperwork, ID, address, or signature is needed before the caregiver drives there.

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


About the Authors

Analic Mata-Murray
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
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.