DME Loan Closets and Medical Equipment Reuse in Iowa

Last updated: 16 April 2026

Bottom Line: Iowa does not have one simple free-equipment office that serves every county the same way. The best Iowa-specific starting points are Easterseals Iowa’s Durable Medical Equipment program for statewide reuse, Iowa Compass for local search help, and the Iowa Aging and Disability Resource Center network for local navigation, especially if you are age 60 or older or helping an older adult.

Emergency Help Now

• If a senior is being discharged within a day or two, call Easterseals Iowa and Iowa Compass right away, and tell the hospital discharge planner or rehab team that you need a local loan closet or supplier today.
• If the senior is age 60 or older and cannot travel easily, call the Area Agency on Aging serving the county or start with Iowa Compass at 1-800-779-2001 to ask for the nearest closet and any transportation help.
• If the real problem is insurance coverage, billing, or whether Medicare should pay instead of a loan closet, contact Iowa’s Senior Health Insurance Information Program at 1-800-351-4664.

What this help is — and what it is not

A durable medical equipment (DME) loan closet is a program that lends items like walkers, wheelchairs, commodes, shower chairs, crutches, raised toilet seats, and sometimes hospital beds or lifts. Iowa Compass explains that people often use these programs to try equipment before buying, to borrow a backup item, to bridge the gap while waiting for delivery, or to get by while insurance approval is still pending.

This is: community reuse, donation-based lending, and practical short-term or long-term help. This is not: the same thing as Medicare Part B durable medical equipment coverage, a private home medical supplier, or a same-day emergency delivery service. In Iowa, that difference matters. Many local church or community closets are free, but the largest statewide reuse program, Easterseals Iowa, uses one-time item fees for many pieces of equipment.

Important Iowa reality: many search results for “medical loan closet Iowa” are old, hyper-local, or even out of state. Double-check the city and state before driving anywhere. For most people in Iowa, the practical route is statewide first, then regional.

Quick facts

• Iowa-specific statewide starting points: Easterseals Iowa, Iowa Compass, and the Iowa ADRC network.
• County coverage: Iowa Health and Human Services says six Area Agencies on Aging cover all 99 counties, and the ADRC network also includes Disability Access Points.
• Main statewide reuse program: Easterseals Iowa’s Durable Medical Equipment program.
• Not an emergency service: Easterseals says its DME program is not an emergency program.
• Inventory changes constantly: statewide and local closets depend on donations, so you must call ahead.

How Iowa actually handles DME reuse and loan closets

Iowa’s system is more organized than it first appears, but it is spread across a few different players. On the statewide assistive technology side, Easterseals Iowa operates the state’s Assistive Technology program implementation, while the Center for Disabilities and Development at the University of Iowa is the lead agency under the federal Assistive Technology Act. On the information and referral side, Iowa Compass is a University of Iowa Health Care program funded through Iowa Health and Human Services and the Center for Disabilities and Development. For local aging and disability navigation, Iowa Health and Human Services uses the Aging and Disability Resource Center network, which includes Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), Disability Access Points (DAP), and the ADRC call center.

What that means for seniors: there is no one-size-fits-all Iowa loan closet. Instead, you usually start with the statewide system, then narrow down to the nearest local or regional program that actually has the item in stock.

Best statewide Iowa starting point	Use it when	What to know
Easterseals Iowa Durable Medical Equipment	You need a statewide reuse option for a hospital bed, wheelchair, lift, ramp, or bathroom device.	Statewide program for Iowa residents. Not an emergency service. Current process usually requires pickup from the Assistive Technology Center in Des Moines. Main line: 1-866-866-8782.
Iowa Compass	You need the nearest local loan closet, donation site, or backup category.	Best statewide search helper. Iowa Compass specifically tells Iowans to search by ZIP code and use “Assistive Technology Loan Program” or “Loan Closet.” Call 1-800-779-2001 or use 711 relay.
Iowa ADRC network	You are age 60+, a caregiver, or you need help with transportation, local referrals, or home and community services.	Iowa HHS says the ADRC network includes AAA and DAP partners. If you do not know where to start, Iowa HHS points people to Iowa Compass at 1-800-779-2001.
SHIIP	You think Medicare should cover the item, or you have an insurance problem rather than a loan-closet problem.	Iowa’s Senior Health Insurance Information Program is free, confidential Medicare counseling. Phone: 1-800-351-4664.

The main statewide Iowa program: Easterseals Iowa

How the statewide DME program works

Easterseals Iowa’s Durable Medical Equipment program is the closest thing Iowa has to a statewide reuse-and-loan program for older adults who need larger equipment. Easterseals says it provides refurbished items such as electric hospital beds, power and manual wheelchairs, and adaptive bathroom equipment to Iowans for a nominal fee, and the program can be especially useful when buying new equipment is out of reach.

According to the current Easterseals Iowa DME FAQ, the usual process is: call first to confirm inventory, get a note or prescription from a medical practitioner naming the needed item, complete the application, and set a pickup time. Easterseals says the fee is paid when the equipment is picked up, and its published steps say all equipment is picked up from the Assistive Technology Center in Des Moines.

Good news for low-income seniors: the same FAQ says there are limited scholarships available when funding is a barrier. The program also says equipment may be used as long as needed, but it remains Easterseals property and should be returned when it is no longer needed and still usable.

Important rules to know: Easterseals says its DME application is good for one year, but a new medical note or prescription is needed for each piece of equipment. If the item does not meet the borrower’s needs, Easterseals says it may be returned within 14 days for a full refund or possible replacement. It also says there is no waiting list; if the item is not in stock, the best move is to call back later.

Example of Easterseals Iowa’s current posted one-time fee	Published amount
Standard walker	$10
Manual wheelchair	$75
Electric hospital bed	$150
Hydraulic Hoyer lift with sling	$75
Rollator	$40

Those sample amounts come from Easterseals Iowa’s currently posted fee schedule. Always confirm the latest fee before pickup.

Do not confuse the DME program with the free Lending Library

Iowa seniors and caregivers sometimes miss a second statewide option: the Easterseals Iowa Demonstration Center and Lending Library. That program is different. It allows eligible Iowans to borrow up to five items for 30 days at no cost so they can try devices before buying. It is very helpful for daily living aids and assistive technology trials. It is not the same as the longer-term DME reuse program for beds, wheelchairs, lifts, and bath equipment.

Major regional and community options across Iowa

Because Iowa is so regional, local and nonprofit closets matter a lot. These programs can be better than the statewide route when a senior needs a basic item fast, cannot get to Des Moines, or does not want to pay even a small statewide fee. Call ahead before driving. Most community closets do not have live inventory online.

Region	Official local or regional option	What stands out
Dubuque and surrounding area	ARK Advocates equipment loan program	Works in partnership with Easterseals Iowa and says it serves Dubuque and the surrounding area. Good regional path when the statewide program is too far away.
Cedar Rapids	Grace Episcopal Church Medical Lending Closet	No charge for loans, though the church says some motorized items may require a small deposit. The closet has limited weekly hours, so timing matters.
Muscatine County	Senior Resources and Trinity Episcopal Church	Free equipment to anyone in need regardless of age. Senior Resources says loans may meet short-term or long-term needs.
Pella and nearby	The Well Resource Center Medical Loan Closet	No-cost temporary checkout for basics like wheelchairs, walkers, commodes, bath seats, and knee scooters.
Mason City and nearby	Trinity Lutheran Church Medical Lending Closet	Offers a wide list of items and says equipment can be borrowed as long as needed, but asks borrowers to call ahead and check stock.
Lake City and west-central Iowa	Stewart Memorial Community Hospital loan closet	The hospital says the closet is open to anyone in need, regardless of financial situation, and supports community borrowing and donations.
Centerville and south-central Iowa	New Hope Ministry Medical Loan Closet	No-charge local option with walkers, shower chairs, wheelchairs, commodes, and crutches that may be kept as long as needed.

These are examples, not the whole state. If none of these are near you, use Iowa Compass instead of a plain Google search. Iowa Compass is simply better for finding the smaller Iowa programs that do not rank well online.

What equipment you are most likely to find in Iowa

Across Iowa, the most common loan-closet items are:

• Walkers and rollators
• Canes and crutches
• Manual wheelchairs and transport chairs
• Commodes
• Shower chairs, bath benches, and transfer benches
• Raised toilet seats and toilet safety rails
• Knee scooters

Sometimes available: hospital beds, Hoyer lifts, transfer boards, overhead tables, ramps, and lift chairs. Harder to find: power wheelchairs, scooters, bariatric sizes, specialty cushions, correct-size slings, and charger-dependent items. If the senior needs a larger or more specialized item, say the person’s height, weight, seat width, and home setup on the first phone call.

How loans usually work in Iowa

Loan rules differ by organization. Iowa Compass says some closets are free, some want a deposit, and some request a donation. In Iowa, you will also see a fourth model: a one-time reuse fee, which is how the statewide Easterseals program works. Local church closets often feel more like a library. Statewide or specialized programs are usually more formal and may require paperwork, a practitioner note, or item-specific rules.

What to ask before pickup

• Do you have the exact item today? Do not assume the website list means it is in stock.
• What are the dimensions and weight capacity? This is critical for wheelchairs, rollators, bath benches, and commodes.
• Are all parts included? Ask about leg rests, foot plates, slings, chargers, rails, hardware, and instructions.
• Is it free, a deposit, a donation, or a one-time fee?
• How long may I keep it? Temporary and long-term rules vary widely across Iowa.
• Do I need a prescription or therapist note? Easterseals Iowa does.
• How was it cleaned? Ask before you load it.
• What happens if it does not fit or work? Easterseals allows returns within 14 days.

Transportation, delivery, and setup

Transportation is a big Iowa issue, especially for rural seniors. The statewide Easterseals process typically means pickup in Des Moines. Many community closets also expect pickup during limited volunteer hours. Larger items may require a van, pickup truck, tie-down straps, and two people to load. Easterseals also says it does not remove or install stair lifts, elevators, vehicle hand controls, or other home and vehicle accommodations. If travel is the barrier, ask your Area Agency on Aging or Disability Access Point to help you look for a nearer option.

Sanitation and condition questions

Sanitation matters. Easterseals Iowa says it thoroughly sanitizes equipment with an Aqua Phase sanitation machine and extra cleanup before items go back out. Smaller local closets may rely on volunteers. Before you accept any item, inspect brakes, rubber tips, wheels, locks, height adjustment pins, rust, mold, odors, missing screws, sling fabric, and battery chargers. For a hospital bed or Hoyer lift, make sure every piece is present before you leave.

What to do first

• Step 1: Call Iowa Compass at 1-800-779-2001 and ask them to search your ZIP code for “Loan Closet” and “Assistive Technology Loan Program.”
• Step 2: Call Easterseals Iowa at 1-866-866-8782 and ask whether the item is in statewide inventory, what paperwork is needed, and what the current fee would be.
• Step 3: If the person is age 60 or older, contact the Area Agency on Aging serving the county and ask about nearby closets, transportation, and caregiver support.
• Step 4: If the person is leaving a hospital, rehab, or nursing facility, ask the discharge planner, social worker, physical therapist, occupational therapist, home health agency, or hospice team which local closets they actually use in your area.
• Step 5: If local closets do not have the item, widen the search to the nearest regional hub such as Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Muscatine, Mason City, Pella, Lake City, or Centerville.
• Step 6: If no loan program has it, check the Iowa Assistive Technology Exchange and ask the doctor whether the item should be ordered through Medicare or Iowa Medicaid instead.

What to gather or know first

• ☐ The senior’s height, weight, and basic mobility limits
• ☐ The exact item needed and when it is needed
• ☐ A prescription or medical note if you are using Easterseals Iowa
• ☐ Doorway width, bathroom layout, toilet height, and bathtub or shower type
• ☐ Vehicle size and who can lift or load the item
• ☐ Whether you can pay a small fee or deposit if needed
• ☐ Whether the person is coming home from a hospital, rehab, or nursing facility

Reality checks

• Inventory changes fast: Iowa loan closets depend on donations. A site can list hospital beds or wheelchairs and still have none available today.

• Free is not the only model: many local Iowa closets are free, but the largest statewide program publishes one-time fees. A “reuse fee” can still be far cheaper than buying new equipment.

• Bigger items are slower: hospital beds, lifts, ramps, and power chairs usually take more time, a larger vehicle, and more planning.

• Fit still matters: a free or low-cost item is not a good deal if it is unsafe, missing parts, or the wrong size for the senior or the home.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Waiting until discharge day to start looking
• Assuming a “free medical equipment” search result is actually in Iowa
• Driving to a closet without calling first
• Forgetting to measure the bathroom, bedroom, or car trunk
• Accepting an item without checking brakes, tips, slings, or missing hardware
• Confusing Easterseals’ free 30-day Lending Library with its separate long-term DME reuse program
• Assuming a borrowed item can be passed to another person without asking the program first

What to do if the first path does not work

• Call back later. Easterseals says it does not keep a waiting list, and inventory changes regularly.
• Ask Iowa Compass to widen the search radius. Small-town Iowa closets do not always show up well online.
• Use Iowa’s local fallback categories. Iowa Compass specifically suggests checking VFW posts, American Legion posts, and local places of worship.
• Use the exchange market. The Iowa Assistive Technology Exchange is not a loan closet, but it can help you find lower-cost used items statewide.
• Ask about financing if purchase is the only realistic option. Easterseals Iowa’s financial support page explains that Able Up Iowa offers reduced-interest loans for needed assistive technology and some home modifications.
• Use the north-central ramp option if it fits. Easterseals says a recycled modular ramp program through Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa is available in Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Hancock, Winnebago, Worth, and Wright counties.
• Switch to the insurance track when appropriate. If the item is medically necessary and should be obtained through a supplier, use Medicare’s DME coverage guidance, Iowa Medicaid member services, and SHIIP for Medicare counseling.

Donating equipment in Iowa

Reuse only works when families donate equipment back. If you are clearing out a parent’s home, start with Easterseals Iowa, but schedule the donation first. The Easterseals FAQ says donations should be arranged in advance, and pickup is not typical. Local Iowa programs also accept donations, but rules vary. For example, Grace Episcopal in Cedar Rapids asks that donated equipment be clean and brought during business hours, while Senior Resources in Muscatine says it is not currently accepting every type of item. Call first, clean the item, keep all parts together, and do not leave it outside a building.

FAQ

Is there a single Iowa state program that will ship free medical equipment to my county?

No. Iowa’s system does not work that way. The main statewide reuse option is Easterseals Iowa, but its DME program is not an emergency service and the posted process normally involves pickup in Des Moines. The real statewide strategy is to start with Easterseals, Iowa Compass, and the ADRC network, then move to the nearest local or regional closet.

Is Easterseals Iowa free?

Not for most long-term DME loans. Easterseals publishes one-time item fees, although it also says limited scholarships may be available if cost is a barrier. The separate Lending Library is different and allows up to five items for 30 days at no cost.

Do I need a doctor’s note or prescription in Iowa?

For the statewide Easterseals DME program, yes. Easterseals says it needs a note or prescription from a medical practitioner that specifies the equipment needed. Smaller local closets may be simpler and may not ask for that paperwork, but you should always ask before making the trip.

Can I keep borrowed equipment as long as I need it?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Easterseals says equipment may be used as long as needed. New Hope in Centerville and Trinity Lutheran in Mason City also describe long-use borrowing. But other closets, such as The Well in Pella, frame their service as temporary checkout. Always ask the program directly.

What should a rural senior do if there is no nearby closet?

Start with Iowa Compass and the Area Agency on Aging for the county. Then widen the search to the nearest regional hub and ask family, friends, or faith-community volunteers about pickup help. Also ask the hospital discharge planner, rehab therapist, home health, or hospice team which closet they use locally. If nothing is available, use the AT Exchange or switch to the insurance coverage path.

What items are easiest and hardest to find?

The easiest Iowa items to find are walkers, canes, crutches, commodes, shower chairs, raised toilet seats, and manual wheelchairs. The hardest items are usually hospital beds, power chairs, scooters, bariatric sizes, special cushions, and complete lift systems with the right sling and charger. The larger and more specialized the item, the earlier you should start.

What if Medicare or Medicaid should pay instead of using a loan closet?

Then a loan closet can serve as a bridge, but it should not be the final answer. Use Medicare’s DME coverage page to see what Original Medicare covers, contact Iowa Medicaid member services for Medicaid questions, and call SHIIP at 1-800-351-4664 if you need Iowa-specific Medicare counseling.

Can I donate my late parent’s equipment in Iowa?

Usually yes, but not every program accepts every item. Easterseals asks donors to schedule in advance. Local programs like Grace Episcopal, Senior Resources, and Stewart Memorial also take community donations, but they may turn away some categories. Clean the equipment, keep parts together, and call first.

Resumen en español

Si usted necesita equipo médico durable prestado en Iowa, empiece con Easterseals Iowa. Es la mejor puerta de entrada estatal para camas de hospital eléctricas, sillas de ruedas, andadores y equipo de baño reacondicionado. Pero no es un programa de emergencia, y el proceso publicado normalmente requiere recoger el equipo en Des Moines. También conviene llamar a Iowa Compass al 1-800-779-2001 para buscar un “loan closet” por código postal y hablar con una persona que conozca los recursos de Iowa.

Para adultos mayores de 60 años y cuidadores, use la red ADRC de Iowa y su Area Agency on Aging local. En varias regiones hay opciones comunitarias como ARK Advocates en Dubuque, Senior Resources en Muscatine, Grace Episcopal en Cedar Rapids y The Well en Pella. Si no encuentra el artículo, revise el AT Exchange de Iowa para equipo usado y hable con el médico sobre Medicare o Iowa Medicaid. Para preguntas de Medicare, también puede llamar a SHIIP al 1-800-351-4664.

About This Guide

This guide uses official federal, state, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article, including Easterseals Iowa, Iowa Compass, the Iowa Aging and Disability Resource Center network, Medicare, and the local Iowa organizations linked above.

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 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, not legal, financial, medical, or government-agency advice. Office procedures, utility policies, complaint routes, and program rules can change. Confirm current details directly with the official office or provider before acting.