DME Loan Closets and Medical Equipment Reuse in Minnesota

Last updated: 16 April 2026

Bottom line: Minnesota does not have one giant statewide warehouse for free durable medical equipment (DME). The best Minnesota path is to start with the Minnesota STAR Program’s device loans and MN AT4ALL, the ConnectAbility of MN Donated Equipment Program, and Minnesota Aging Pathways or the official Minnesota Aging & Disability Resources directory for local county and community options. That statewide-first approach matters in Minnesota because local closets vary a lot, inventories change fast, and rural seniors often need help outside their home county.

Emergency help now

• Call Minnesota Aging Pathways at 1-800-333-2433 and ask the specialist to search for nearby medical equipment loan or donation programs.
• Search MN AT4ALL or call the Minnesota STAR Program at 1-888-234-1267 if you need a fast temporary device or live far from a local closet.
• Call Disability Hub MN at 1-866-333-2466 if the problem is tied to disability services, home safety, discharge planning, or benefits.

Quick help box

• Fastest statewide loan: Minnesota STAR and MN AT4ALL
• Best free donated gear: ConnectAbility of MN
• Best older-adult helpline: Minnesota Aging Pathways at 1-800-333-2433
• Best all-ages disability helpline: Disability Hub MN at 1-866-333-2466
• Best official local search tool: Minnesota Aging & Disability Resources directory
• Northeast Minnesota example: AEOA Medical Equipment Loan Closet

What this help is, and what it is not

What it is: Durable medical equipment (DME) reuse means borrowed, donated, or refurbished items such as walkers, wheelchairs, commodes, and shower chairs. In Minnesota, some programs also lend assistive technology (AT), which can include medication reminders, amplified phones, hearing or vision devices, and daily living tools. These programs are especially helpful when a senior is leaving rehab, waiting on insurance, recovering from surgery, or cannot afford retail equipment.

What it is not: A community loan closet is not the same as Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or Minnesota Health Care Programs coverage. It is also not a guarantee that the program will have the exact size, weight rating, or specialty device you need that day. Some programs clean and refurbish items, but many still give them out without a warranty.

Quick facts

• No single warehouse: Minnesota uses a network of state, county, nonprofit, church, senior-center, and independent-living programs.
• Best first stops: STAR, ConnectAbility of MN, Minnesota Aging Pathways, and Disability Hub MN.
• Most common items: Walkers, canes, manual wheelchairs, bedside commodes, shower chairs, transfer benches, toilet risers, and bed rails.
• Harder items: Hospital beds, power chairs, patient lifts, ramps, bariatric gear, CPAP machines, oxygen, and custom devices.
• Rules vary by program: Some Minnesota closets are free, some use deposits, and some charge a small rental fee.
• Rural fallback: Start with STAR because it can ship equipment out at no cost, then search neighboring counties.

The best statewide starting points in Minnesota

Start statewide, then go local. That is the most practical Minnesota strategy. Many top search results jump straight to old local lists, but Minnesota’s statewide programs and official directory usually save time first.

Starting point	Use it when	What matters most
Minnesota STAR Program and MN AT4ALL	You need a fast temporary device, want to try before buying, or live in a rural area.	Free loans; short-term loans up to about six weeks; limited open-ended loans; outgoing shipping is free.
ConnectAbility of MN	You need standard donated mobility or bathroom equipment.	Statewide donated equipment; no cost; inventory changes daily; cleaned and refurbished; no warranty.
Minnesota Aging Pathways	You are 60+ or helping an older adult and want a real person to find local options.	Free statewide help from the Minnesota Board on Aging. Many seniors still know it as the Senior LinkAge Line.
Disability Hub MN	You need all-ages disability, chronic condition, benefits, or home support help.	Free statewide phone, chat, and email help.
Minnesota Aging & Disability Resources directory	You want to search by county and neighboring counties yourself.	Use search terms like “Medical Equipment or Assistive Technology Loan Program” and “Medical Equipment/Assistive Technology Donation Programs.”

Minnesota STAR and MN AT4ALL

Through the Minnesota STAR Program’s device loan service, Minnesotans can borrow assistive technology at no cost. STAR says short-term loans last 45 days or less, and it also offers a limited number of open-ended loans for previously used equipment that does not have a set return date but must be returned when no longer needed. The same STAR page says you can either pick up equipment or have it shipped out at no cost, while the borrower usually pays return shipping.

That shipping option is one reason STAR is so important for greater Minnesota. The MN AT4ALL lending library lets you browse what is available, and STAR’s partner list includes programs in Duluth, Minneapolis, Rochester, St. Cloud, Moorhead, and other locations. For a senior in a small town, this is often the fastest way to try a device before paying for one.

Important Minnesota detail: STAR is broader than a typical walker-and-wheelchair closet. It can help with daily living tools, hearing and vision devices, communication devices, computer access, and some mobility equipment. If the need is phone access rather than general DME, Minnesota also runs Minnesota Access to Communication Technology (MN ACT), a separate free program for eligible people with physical or speech disabilities.

ConnectAbility of MN

The ConnectAbility of MN Donated Equipment Program is one of the strongest statewide reuse options for standard equipment. It operates through Waite Park, Rochester, and Duluth, says the program is available statewide, and notes that inventory can change daily.

ConnectAbility’s current accepted-item list includes walkers, rollators, wheelchairs, shower chairs, toilet risers, tub rails, canes, bed rails, Hoyer lifts, transfer boards, functioning power chairs, scooters, and some adaptive bikes. The same page says all items are cleaned and refurbished, but there is no warranty or guarantee, and users sign a release of liability.

What this means for seniors: ConnectAbility is a strong first stop for everyday mobility and bathroom safety gear. It is a weak bet for items the program says it usually does not take, such as one-time-use supplies, braces, lift chairs, CPAP machines and supplies, and many hospital beds unless you call ahead first.

Minnesota Aging Pathways, Disability Hub MN, and the state directory

Minnesota Aging Pathways is the Minnesota Board on Aging’s free statewide service and is the program many older adults still know as the Senior LinkAge Line. Call 1-800-333-2433 if you are helping a parent, spouse, or neighbor and need someone to search local equipment programs, county public health offices, senior centers, churches, or community action agencies.

For disability questions at any age, Disability Hub MN is another strong statewide navigator at 1-866-333-2466. For self-serve searching, use the official Minnesota Aging & Disability Resources directory. It is one of the best Minnesota tools because it turns up many county and nonprofit programs that do not always show well in regular Google searches.

Major regional and local Minnesota programs worth checking

Minnesota is regional. Statewide programs come first, but local closets still matter. These examples are especially useful once you know the senior’s county, nearby counties, and whether pickup is realistic.

Program	Area	Typical equipment	Important note
AEOA Medical Equipment Loan Closet	St. Louis County / Northeast Minnesota	Wheelchairs, walkers, commodes, shower chairs, canes, crutches, high-rise toilet seats	One-time rental fee varies by item.
Lighthouse Center for Vital Living	Duluth / Northeast	Assistive technology through the STAR partner network	STAR lists short-term and open-ended loans.
Normandale Center for Healing & Wholeness	Hennepin, Carver, and Scott counties	Wheelchairs, walkers, canes, shower chairs, bathroom safety equipment, knee scooters	Directory says loans are for up to 3 months and asks people to email first for stock.
Options Interstate Resource Center for Independent Living	Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Mahnomen, and Polk counties	Walkers, wheelchairs, power chairs, canes, transfer benches, raised toilet seats	Free loan closet plus a Swap Shop.
First United Methodist Church H.E.L.P.	Chisago County	Bathroom aids, raised toilet seats, walkers, wheelchairs, canes, crutches, knee scooters	Free; up to 6 months, with extension by phone.
Nicollet County Loan Closet	Nicollet County	Wheelchairs, walkers, knee scooters, shower chairs, transfer benches, toilet risers, bed tables, dressing aids	Deposit required. The county page shows both 3-month language and later longer-loan language, so call to confirm the current limit.
Koochiching Aging Options	Koochiching County	Walkers, bath seats, canes, crutches, and other non-disposable items	Free local loan program.
Barnesville Area Helpers	Clay County / Barnesville area	Wheelchairs, walkers, canes, toilet risers, wheeled walkers, commodes, shower chairs and benches	State directory says free short-term or long-term use.
ALS Association DME Loan Program	Minnesota residents diagnosed with ALS	Canes, walkers, manual and power wheelchairs, commodes, shower chairs, lifts, slings, ramps	No-charge condition-specific loan program for ALS.

What equipment is commonly available in Minnesota

Easiest to find: Walkers, rollators, canes, manual wheelchairs, transport chairs, bedside commodes, shower chairs, transfer benches, raised toilet seats, bed rails, reachers, sock aids, crutches, and knee scooters. That pattern shows up again and again in programs like ConnectAbility, AEOA, Nicollet County, and the local programs listed in the official directory.

Harder to find: Hospital beds, patient lifts and slings, power chairs, scooters, ramps, bariatric equipment, custom wheelchairs, CPAP machines, oxygen-related items, and anything disposable. Some programs do handle a few of these, especially ConnectAbility and the ALS Association, but you should assume they are scarce until a program says yes.

How Minnesota loans usually work

Typical pattern: STAR uses free loans. ConnectAbility mostly redistributes donated gear at no cost. AEOA uses a one-time rental fee. Nicollet County uses deposits. That is why you should never assume the rules from one Minnesota program apply to another.

1. Call or search first to confirm the item is actually in stock.
2. Ask whether the program serves your county only, your region, or the whole state.
3. Ask whether the item is a timed loan, an open-ended loan, or a no-cost donated item you keep.
4. Ask about deposits, rental fees, waivers, and return dates before pickup.
5. Inspect the item before leaving, then return it clean and complete if the program expects it back.

What to ask before pickup

• Fit: Is it the right seat width, handle height, weight limit, and style for the user?
• Parts: Does it include footrests, leg rests, brakes, charger, tray, commode bucket, or slings?
• Condition: When was it cleaned, checked, or refurbished?
• Transportation: Does it fold, come apart, or require a van or pickup?
• Pickup rules: Can a caregiver or adult child pick it up without the user present?
• Money: Is there a deposit, a one-time fee, or a late-return penalty?

Sanitation and condition questions

ConnectAbility says its items are cleaned and refurbished but have no warranty. Nicollet County says some of its equipment comes from donations and it does not guarantee condition. That is your reminder to check brakes, tips, upholstery, adjustment pins, and wheels before loading the item. If anything feels unsafe, do not use it until the program replaces it or checks it again.

Rural Minnesota: what to do if you cannot find help nearby

Do not start with random Googling. Start with STAR because it can ship equipment out at no cost. Then call Minnesota Aging Pathways or Disability Hub MN and ask them to search the official directory for your county and every county that touches it.

That wider search often turns up programs like AEOA, Koochiching Aging Options, Options IRCIL, or a church or senior-center closet that a regular search missed. Most local closets do not promise delivery, so ask whether a caregiver, neighbor, home care worker, or church volunteer can pick up for the senior.

National backup: If Minnesota inventories are empty, use the STAR Device Exchange page and the national used assistive technology directory from Disability Resources. These are backup tools, not first choices, but they can help when the nearby closets are dry.

Separate community reuse from insurance coverage

Keep these systems separate. A community closet lends or gives out reused equipment. Insurance is a different path. For permanent medically necessary equipment, ask the clinician to start the coverage process right away. The Minnesota Health Care Programs manual says DME, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies require an order from a treating practitioner, and purchased equipment delivered to members must be new. That is why a loan closet often works best as a bridge while the insurance order or repair is in progress.

What to do first

• Step 1: Decide whether the need is temporary, long-term, or permanent.
• Step 2: Start with STAR if you need a trial loan or shipping, or ConnectAbility if you need standard donated DME.
• Step 3: Call Minnesota Aging Pathways if the person is an older adult, or Disability Hub MN if the case is more disability-focused.
• Step 4: Search neighboring counties in the official state directory.
• Step 5: If the need is permanent, ask the doctor or therapist to start the insurance order the same day.

What to gather or know first

• ☐ The exact item needed, and whether it is for walking, transfers, bathing, toileting, or communication
• ☐ The user’s height, weight, and seat width if a wheelchair or walker is involved
• ☐ Whether the need is temporary recovery or long-term support
• ☐ The home county and the counties next to it
• ☐ Whether someone can pick up the item and what vehicle is available
• ☐ Any therapist, nurse, or doctor recommendation about size or type
• ☐ Whether an insurance order is already pending

Reality checks

• Inventory is small: Even strong Minnesota programs can run out of the most wanted items.

• Local rules are different: Free in one county may mean deposit or fee in another.

• Used does not mean fitted: A safe walker height or transfer setup still matters.

• Delivery is rare: Plan for pickup unless the program clearly offers shipping or transport.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Waiting until discharge day to start the search
• Assuming “free” also means delivery
• Assuming every closet has hospital beds or power chairs
• Taking equipment home without checking parts, brakes, or fit
• Mixing up a community loan closet with insurance coverage
• Returning equipment late and losing a deposit that could have been refunded

What to do if the first path does not work

• Ask the statewide helpline to search neighboring counties, not just your own.
• Call the senior’s hospital discharge planner, rehab clinic, or therapist and ask for a wider local search.
• Try a Minnesota center for independent living, such as Options IRCIL in northwest Minnesota.
• Use a condition-specific program like the ALS Association DME Loan Program if it applies.
• Use the STAR Device Exchange and the national used AT directory as backup.

Frequently asked questions

Does Minnesota have one official statewide free medical equipment warehouse?

No. Minnesota does not run one giant DME warehouse for the whole state. The closest statewide starting points are the Minnesota STAR Program and MN AT4ALL for loans, ConnectAbility of MN for donated equipment, and Minnesota Aging Pathways plus the official directory for local matches.

What is the best first call for an older adult in Minnesota?

For most seniors and caregivers, the best first call is Minnesota Aging Pathways at 1-800-333-2433. It is free, statewide, and built for older adults. If the issue is more about disability services, benefits, or all-ages navigation, call Disability Hub MN at 1-866-333-2466.

What is the difference between Minnesota STAR and a community loan closet?

STAR is Minnesota’s statewide assistive technology loan program. It is best when you need to try a device, need a short-term loan, or live too far from a local closet. A community loan closet is more likely to focus on standard DME such as walkers, commodes, shower chairs, and wheelchairs.

Can a rural Minnesota senior get equipment without driving to the Twin Cities?

Yes, sometimes. STAR says it can ship equipment out at no cost to the borrower, and that is a big help in rural Minnesota. Also, the official state directory can help you search neighboring counties for programs like AEOA, Koochiching Aging Options, or Options IRCIL.

Do I need a prescription to borrow DME in Minnesota?

Usually not for a community loan closet. Most local programs lend based on availability, service area, and safety rules. But for insurance-covered permanent equipment, the Minnesota Health Care Programs manual says DME requires an order from a treating practitioner.

Are hospital beds, power chairs, CPAP machines, or oxygen usually available?

Sometimes for beds and power devices, but not often. ConnectAbility says hospital beds usually require a call ahead, and it does not accept CPAP machines or supplies. In general, respiratory gear, custom wheelchairs, and other specialty items are much harder to place through reuse programs than walkers or shower chairs.

Where can I donate used medical equipment in Minnesota?

Several Minnesota programs accept donations, including ConnectAbility of MN, AEOA, Nicollet County, Koochiching Aging Options, Options IRCIL, and the ALS Association. Always call first. Programs differ on what they accept, and some will turn away broken items, one-time-use supplies, or equipment that is hard to sanitize.

Resumen en español

Resumen rápido: Minnesota no tiene un solo almacén estatal de equipo médico gratis. Para empezar, llame a Minnesota Aging Pathways al 1-800-333-2433 y pida ayuda para encontrar un programa cerca de usted. Si la necesidad está más relacionada con discapacidad, servicios en el hogar o beneficios, también puede llamar a Disability Hub MN al 1-866-333-2466. Para préstamos de tecnología de apoyo y algunos envíos dentro del estado, use el Minnesota STAR Program y MN AT4ALL.

Más opciones: Si necesita equipo donado como andadores, sillas de ruedas, sillas para baño o cómodos, revise ConnectAbility of MN. Si vive en una zona rural, pida que busquen también en los condados vecinos usando el directorio oficial de Minnesota Aging & Disability Resources. Pregunte siempre si hay depósito, si otra persona puede recoger el equipo y si el artículo fue limpiado y revisado. Si el equipo debe ser permanente y médicamente necesario, pida al médico que inicie el proceso con el seguro al mismo tiempo.

About This Guide

This guide uses official federal, state, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article, including the Minnesota STAR Program, Minnesota Board on Aging, Disability Hub MN, the Minnesota Department of Human Services, ConnectAbility of MN, and regional programs such as AEOA.

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 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.