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Last updated: 27 May 2026
Bottom line: Maryland has a strong statewide starting point for durable medical equipment, often called DME. Start with Maryland DME Re-Use if you need a walker, wheelchair, shower chair, hospital bed, lift, scooter, or other medical item. At the same time, use Maryland Access Point or 211 Maryland to search local loan closets and transportation help. Local closets can be faster for basic items, but rules and stock change often.
Emergency help now
- If a senior cannot walk, toilet, bathe, transfer, or leave rehab safely, call the state DME program at 1-240-230-8000 and ask which request path fits the exact item.
- Call Maryland Access Point at 1-844-627-5465 or dial 211 and ask for medical equipment, transportation, and county aging help near your ZIP code.
- If discharge is coming soon, ask the hospital social worker, discharge planner, physical therapist, or occupational therapist to help with the form and measurements before the person leaves.
- If there is an immediate fall, breathing, chest pain, stroke, or injury risk, call 911. A loan closet is not emergency medical care.
Quick help box
- Need common DME: Start with the state DME program.
- Need a nearby closet: Ask MAP or 211 to search by ZIP code.
- Need a ramp: Ask about the short-term ramp loan program.
- Need phones or communication tools: Check MAT phones and assistive technology help.
- Need a power chair, hospital bed, or lift: Plan for a health care professional, measurements, and pickup help.
Quick reference table
| Need | Best first step | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Walker, cane, crutches, rollator | State DME or local closet | Often easier to find, but stock can change daily. |
| Shower chair, tub bench, commode | State DME or county/community closet | Measure the tub, toilet area, and user weight first. |
| Wheelchair or transport chair | State DME complex request or a larger closet | Seat width, weight limit, footrests, and vehicle size matter. |
| Hospital bed, lift, scooter | State DME complex request | Pickup and loading can be the hardest part. |
| Portable ramp | Maryland ramp loan | Usually short-term and borrowed through a local partner. |
| Speech, vision, computer access tools | Assistive technology reuse | This is not the same as regular medical equipment. |
Contents
- What this help is
- Best Maryland starting points
- What equipment to ask for
- How reuse works
- Local loan closets
- Transportation and pickup
- Safety and condition
- How to start
- If the first path fails
- Frequently asked questions
What this help is, and what it is not
What it is: Durable medical equipment means items that help a person move, bathe, toilet, transfer, sleep safely, or live at home after illness, injury, surgery, or disability. In Maryland, reuse programs collect donated equipment, clean and repair it when needed, and give or lend it to people who need it.
What it is not: This is not the same as a Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance order. It is also not instant delivery to your home. Maryland’s statewide DME program says approved equipment must be picked up by appointment at a distribution location after the request is processed.
Maryland reality: The state program is the strongest statewide path, but it depends on donated stock. Local loan closets can be helpful for quick basic needs. They can also have county limits, referral rules, loan periods, deposits, or no stock at all. Call before driving.
Best Maryland starting points
Most seniors and caregivers should start with three names: Maryland DME Re-Use, Maryland Access Point, and Maryland Equips. These are different tools. Use them together instead of waiting for one office to solve everything.
| Starting point | What it helps with | Who may use it | Practical check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland DME Re-Use | Medical and mobility equipment, including walkers, wheelchairs, bathroom safety items, hospital beds, scooters, and lifts | Marylanders with an illness, injury, or disability, regardless of age or insurance coverage | Free, but stock is not guaranteed and pickup is by appointment. |
| Maryland Access Point | County aging help, local loan closets, transportation, caregiver support, and options counseling | Older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, and helpers | Use it when you need a person to sort local choices. |
| Maryland Equips | DME, ramps, assistive technology, phones, and other access tools | Marylanders who need equipment or technology to stay safe and connected | Good when the issue is more than a walker or shower chair. |
Maryland DME Re-Use
The state program is usually the best first stop for bigger, more costly, or harder-to-find items. The official page says free durable medical equipment is available to Marylanders with an illness, injury, or disability, regardless of age or insurance coverage. It also says donated equipment is sanitized, repaired, and redistributed for pickup across Maryland.
The state uses two broad request paths. Basic DME includes items such as canes, crutches, walkers, rollators, shower chairs, tub transfer benches, bedside commodes, and toilet safety rails. Complex DME includes items such as manual wheelchairs, transport wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, power scooters, home hospital beds, and mechanical lifts. Complex DME needs part of the request completed by a health care professional.
Reality check: A free program can still take time. The program has to receive the request, check stock, contact you, and schedule pickup. A hospital bed or lift also needs a safe plan for loading, transport, and setup at home.
Maryland Access Point and 211
Maryland Access Point is the state’s “no wrong door” aging and disability entry point. MAP can help older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, and professionals find long-term services, transportation, financial aid, nutrition, medication, housing, and other support. It also lists local MAP numbers by county.
211 Maryland is useful when you need a broad local search. The 211 system says it has more than 7,500 resources and connects people to local help 24/7/365. Ask the specialist to search for “medical equipment loan closet,” “durable medical equipment,” “transportation,” and “county aging office.”
Reality check: MAP and 211 usually do not hold the equipment themselves. They help you find the right local or state path. You still need to call the provider and confirm stock.
Maryland Equips and assistive technology
Not every equipment problem is a DME problem. If the senior needs help with a phone, speech, vision, computer access, home entry, or another disability-related task, check Maryland Equips and the Maryland Department of Disabilities Assistive Technology Program.
The MATR Center handles high-tech assistive technology such as magnifiers, adapted computer keyboards, switches, speech devices, amplified telephones, and eye-gaze systems. The MATR page also says it does not carry or donate medical equipment, so regular DME should go back to the state DME program.
For short tests of assistive technology, MDTAP device loans can be borrowed free for up to 4 weeks. The program says some devices can be shipped to the client with virtual setup and instruction.
Reality check: Assistive technology may need a demo first. A device that works well for one person may not fit another person’s vision, hearing, speech, hand strength, memory, or home setup.
What equipment to ask for
Do not call and say only, “I need equipment.” Be exact. The more exact you are, the easier it is for the program to tell you whether the item exists, whether it is basic or complex, and what information is needed.
| Plain words to use | Details to have ready | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| “Walker with wheels” or “rollator with seat” | User height, weight, and whether brakes are needed | Basic DME or local closet |
| “Shower chair” or “tub transfer bench” | Tub type, shower width, and whether the person can step over the tub wall | Basic DME or local closet |
| “Bedside commode” | User weight, arm support needs, and bedroom space | Basic DME or local closet |
| “Manual wheelchair” | Seat width, user weight, footrests, and whether it must fold | Complex DME or larger closet |
| “Hospital bed” | Bed size, mattress need, room space, and who can transport it | Complex DME |
| “Mechanical lift” | User weight, sling needs, caregiver ability, and home floor space | Complex DME |
How Maryland reuse and local loans work
State reuse: You submit an online request or a paper request. If you need a paper form mailed, call 1-240-230-8000. After the request is processed, the program contacts you about availability. If the item is in stock, a pickup appointment and location are scheduled.
Local loan closets: A county, church, Lions Club, senior office, or nonprofit may lend basic items. Some are free. Some require a form. Some only serve county residents. Some lend for a set number of days. Some accept donations but do not lend from the same site.
Phone script for the state program: “Hello, I am calling about a Maryland senior who needs [exact item]. The person lives in [county]. Is this basic or complex DME? What form should we use? What measurements or health professional section do we need? If approved, where could the item be picked up?”
Phone script for a local closet: “Hello, do you currently have a [exact item] available to borrow? Who can borrow from your closet? Is there a referral, fee, deposit, or return date? What hours can we pick up, and do we need a truck or second person?”
Major local loan closet examples
Maryland does not have one perfect public list of every loan closet. The best local search is still MAP or the 211 loan search. The examples below are useful starting points, but stock and rules can change.
| Area | Program | What to know first |
|---|---|---|
| Howard County | Howard inventory | A health care professional must complete the referral form. The county says staff will call to schedule pickup after the referral is received. |
| Charles County | Charles Loan Closet | Common items include walkers, canes, bath or shower benches, and transport wheelchairs. The county says loans are free for 90 days, with a possible 90-day extension if inventory allows. |
| Baltimore County | Ninth District Health Committee | 211 lists wheelchairs, walkers, commodes, bath stools, crutches, and related items. Call before going. |
| Washington County | Hagerstown Lions Club | 211 lists commodes, shower chairs, transfer benches, wheelchairs, walkers, and canes. Ask about pickup hours. |
| Calvert County | Calvert Office on Aging | 211 lists wheelchairs, commodes, shower stools, transportation, caregiver support, and home-delivered meals. |
| Harford and Carroll areas | Lions Club closets | Good backup for basic items, but eligibility and hours vary by local club. |
Phone script for 211 or MAP: “I need help finding a medical equipment loan closet near [ZIP code]. The item is [exact item]. The senior is [age] and lives in [county]. We also need help with transportation or pickup. Can you give me current programs to call today?”
Transportation, delivery, and rural pickup problems
Pickup is often the hard part. The state DME page says equipment will not be delivered to the requestor. It must be picked up at the distribution center chosen by the requestor, and pickup is by appointment after availability is confirmed.
Before you accept an item, ask whether it will fit in the vehicle. A cane, walker, or shower chair may fit in a car. A hospital bed, power chair, or lift may need a van, truck, or more than one adult. Ask whether the item breaks down into parts and whether staff can help load it.
Rural seniors should plan early. The MDTAP locations page lists community assistive technology library locations around the state, but it currently lists the Eastern Shore location as TBD. That does not close the state DME program. It means Eastern Shore callers should use the statewide DME program, MAP, 211, and county offices early.
Phone script for transportation: “The item is approved, but we do not have a vehicle that can move it. Does the county aging office know of senior transportation, volunteer transport, or a local partner that can help with equipment pickup?”
Safety and condition questions
Maryland’s state DME program says donated equipment is sanitized, repaired, and redistributed. Local closets may have different cleaning and inspection steps. Ask before taking any item home.
- Who cleaned and checked this item?
- Is anything missing, loose, bent, cracked, or rusted?
- What is the weight limit?
- Is the seat width right for the person?
- Does it need batteries, a charger, a sling, footrests, or tools?
- Who should we call if it does not fit or does not work?
- Can a therapist check that it is safe for this person?
Safety warning: Do not use a walker, wheelchair, lift, bed rail, shower chair, or commode that looks unsafe. Free equipment can still hurt someone if it is the wrong size or in poor condition.
How to start without wasting time
- Write down the real problem. Use plain words, such as “cannot get into the shower” or “needs a wheelchair for doctor visits.”
- Pick the right first path. Use state DME for larger or costlier medical items. Use local closets for fast basic items. Use assistive technology programs for phones, speech, vision, computer access, or ramps.
- Call before applying twice. Ask if the item is basic or complex, whether a health professional must help, and what pickup site may be possible.
- Measure before pickup. Get the person’s weight, seat width, doorway width, tub setup, bed space, and vehicle space.
- Keep notes. Write down the date, program name, person you spoke with, item requested, and next step.
What to gather before calling
- Senior’s name, Maryland address, county, and phone number
- Exact item needed and why it is needed
- Whether the need is temporary or long-term
- Height, weight, seat width, doorway width, and room space if useful
- Doctor, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, physical therapist, or occupational therapist name
- Insurance status, if a provider asks
- Pickup person’s name and phone number
- Vehicle type and whether a second person can help load
- Backup item that may work safely if the first choice is out of stock
Related Maryland help
Medical equipment is often only one part of the problem. These related GrantsForSeniors.org guides can help Maryland readers find the next step without turning this page into a full benefits guide.
| Need | Related GFS guide |
|---|---|
| Broad state benefits | Maryland senior benefits |
| Disability-specific help | Maryland disability help |
| County aging offices | Maryland AAAs |
| Urgent bills or shelter | Maryland emergency help |
| State application sites | Maryland benefits portals |
| Family caregiver support | Maryland caregiver pay |
| Medicare cost help | Maryland Medicare Savings |
| Home or rental issues | Maryland housing help |
| Senior veterans | Maryland veteran benefits |
| Charity backup help | Maryland charities |
Reality checks
- Stock changes fast: A closet may have a walker today and none tomorrow.
- Free is not instant: Bigger items can take more review, fitting, and pickup planning.
- Donation sites are different: A site that accepts donated DME may not be a place where you can borrow equipment without a request.
- Local rules vary: One closet may need a referral. Another may be open to all. Another may serve only one county.
- Insurance may still matter: For long-term needs, ask the doctor or therapist whether Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance should also be tried.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until the day of discharge to start looking
- Calling without the exact item name
- Assuming the state program delivers to the home
- Driving to a donation site expecting to borrow equipment there
- Forgetting to ask about loan length, deposit, or return rules
- Taking a wheelchair, bed, or lift without checking size and weight limits
- Using old directory information without calling first
- Skipping therapist advice when the item affects transfers, bathing, or fall risk
What to do if the first path does not work
- Ask for a substitute item. A different walker, chair, bench, or commode may be safe while you wait.
- Ask MAP or 211 to widen the search. Give your ZIP code, county, item, deadline, and pickup problem.
- Ask the therapist. A therapist may know which temporary item is safe and which one is not.
- Try access programs. If the real barrier is stairs, phone use, vision, speech, or computer access, equipment reuse may not be the only answer.
- Try diagnosis-based groups. For ALS-related needs, ALS Maryland may help families think through equipment, respite, transport, and care coordination.
- Check nearby states carefully. The AT3 directory can help find assistive technology programs if you live near a border, but each state has its own rules.
Resumen en español
Maryland tiene un programa estatal para equipo médico reutilizado. Puede ayudar con andadores, sillas de ruedas, sillas para ducha, camas de hospital y otros equipos, según disponibilidad. Llame al programa estatal al 1-240-230-8000 y pregunte qué formulario necesita. También puede llamar a Maryland Access Point al 1-844-627-5465 o marcar 211 para buscar clósets de préstamo locales y ayuda con transporte.
Si necesita una rampa, un teléfono amplificado, una lupa, un aparato de comunicación o ayuda para usar tecnología, pregunte por Maryland Equips y el programa de tecnología asistiva de Maryland. Siempre confirme si el equipo está disponible, si necesita una referencia, cuánto tiempo puede usarlo, y quién lo va a recoger. Las reglas cambian según el condado y la organización.
Frequently asked questions
Does Maryland have a statewide free medical equipment program?
Yes. Maryland DME Re-Use is a statewide program that provides free durable medical equipment to Marylanders with an illness, injury, or disability, subject to available stock.
Do I need a prescription?
The state says both basic and complex DME are free and offered without a prescription. Complex DME still requires part of the application to be completed by a health care professional for safety.
Can the state program deliver equipment to my home?
No. The state says DME will not be delivered to the requestor. Equipment must be picked up by appointment at a distribution center after availability is confirmed.
What is the fastest path for a walker or shower chair?
Try both the state DME program and local loan closets. A nearby closet may be faster for basic equipment, but the state program is still a strong backup if local stock is empty.
What if I need a ramp?
Ask about Maryland’s portable ramp loan program. The program says ramps are usually loaned for up to 120 days, and the borrower must arrange pickup and return with the local Center for Independent Living.
Where can I find local loan closets?
Call Maryland Access Point at 1-844-627-5465 or dial 211. Ask for medical equipment loan closets near your ZIP code, and call each provider before you go.
Can I donate equipment when I am done?
Yes. The state DME page lists accepted donation items and collection sites. Call the collection site first, because hours, accepted items, and county rules can change.
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.
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