DME Loan Closets and Medical Equipment Reuse in Nevada

Last updated: 16 April 2026

Bottom Line: Based on current Nevada government and nonprofit pages, Nevada does not appear to publish one simple, state-run public directory of durable medical equipment loan closets. In real life, most Nevada seniors do best by starting with CARE Chest for actual reused equipment, using Nevada Care Connection or the Nevada 211 assistive technology search for navigation, and calling the Nevada Assistive Technology Resource Center when the need is a short-term device loan, demonstration, or specialized assistive technology problem.

Emergency help now

• Call CARE Chest first at 1-775-829-2273 in northern Nevada or 1-866-206-5242 in southern Nevada and ask whether the item is available at the warehouse or the nearest outreach stop.
• If you are in Las Vegas, Henderson, or nearby and the senior is age 50 or older, call Foundation Assisting Seniors at 1-725-244-4200 and ask about same-week availability.
• If discharge is happening now, tell the hospital or rehab discharge planner today that you do not have safe equipment at home and need a bridge plan, delivery help, or a temporary insurance rental while you pursue reuse options.

Quick help

• Fastest realistic statewide path: CARE Chest.
• Best Southern Nevada extra option: Foundation Assisting Seniors.
• Need help figuring out who to call: send a request to Nevada Care Connection.
• Need a ZIP-code search or after-hours backup: call Nevada 211 at 2-1-1 or 1-866-535-5654, or text your ZIP code to 898211.
• Need to try a device before buying it: contact the Nevada Assistive Technology Resource Center.
• Need larger disability-related equipment and no other funding exists: ask about Nevada’s Assistive Technology for Independent Living program.

Nevada 211 says its call center hours changed on 1 July 2025 to Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Pacific Time, with the website and app available when the call center is closed. Its assistive technology page also warns that some Edge users may not see search results, so switch browsers if the listings do not load.

What this help is in Nevada — and what it is not

What it is: durable medical equipment, or DME, means home-use medical items such as walkers, wheelchairs, shower chairs, commodes, hospital beds, patient lifts, oxygen equipment, and similar items. In Nevada, loan closets and reuse programs usually work by taking donated equipment, cleaning and checking it, and then lending or reissuing it to another person.

What it is not: this is not emergency medical care, not a guaranteed same-day stockroom, and not the same thing as Medicare or Nevada Medicaid coverage. If insurance should cover the item, you still need to work through your doctor, your health plan, and an enrolled supplier.

Quick facts

• Nevada does not appear to have one simple public state-run DME closet list.
• CARE Chest is the closest thing Nevada has to a broad statewide reuse network.
• Southern Nevada seniors have a second strong regional option through Foundation Assisting Seniors.
• The Nevada Assistive Technology Resource Center is best for short-term device trials, demonstrations, and specialized assistive technology loans.
• Nevada Care Connection and Nevada 211 are navigation tools, not full warehouses.
• Availability changes with donations, so always call before you drive.

The best statewide starting points in Nevada

Starting point	What it does	Best for	How to use it
CARE Chest	Medical equipment reuse, open-ended lending, low-income supply programs, and statewide outreach	Most seniors who need basic mobility or safety equipment now	Call, apply online, or visit Reno or Las Vegas
Nevada Care Connection	One-on-one resource navigation for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers	Families who do not know where to start	Use the online request-help form
Nevada 211	ZIP-code and county search for assistive technology and related services	Finding nearby options fast, especially after hours	Call 2-1-1, text 898211, or search online
Nevada Assistive Technology Resource Center	Information, demonstrations, and short-term device loans	Trying a device before buying or bridging a short gap	Call ahead and make an appointment
Assistive Technology for Independent Living	Last-resort state-funded help for some permanent disability-related equipment and modifications	People with permanent disabilities who lack other resources	Ask CARE Chest about screening and case coordination

How Nevada’s assistive-technology system fits in

Nevada’s state assistive technology framework is the Nevada Assistive Technology Collaborative. Its University of Nevada, Reno partner, the Nevada Assistive Technology Resource Center, handles information, device demonstrations, and no-cost short-term loans that are generally about two weeks. CARE Chest is the collaborative’s reuse and open-ended lending partner. When other options are exhausted, Nevada’s Assistive Technology for Independent Living program may be able to help with durable medical equipment, mobility devices, home access changes, vehicle modifications, visual aids, or communication technology for people with permanent disabilities who lack other resources.

Major Nevada options by region

Region	Main options	Common items	Important Nevada note
Reno, Sparks, Carson area, and much of northern Nevada	CARE Chest Reno and CARE Chest outreach; Nevada Assistive Technology Resource Center for device trials	Wheelchairs, walkers, canes, shower chairs, safety items, and other donated equipment	CARE Chest is the biggest practical starting point
Las Vegas Valley and Henderson	CARE Chest Las Vegas and Foundation Assisting Seniors	Walkers, wheelchairs, shower benches, commodes, knee walkers, beds, lifts, incontinence supplies, and some oxygen concentrators with a prescription	Foundation Assisting Seniors serves adults age 50 and older
Rural Nevada	CARE Chest outreach stops, plus navigation through Nevada Care Connection and Nevada 211	Varies by donations and by stop	Some outreach locations are monthly and some are listed as drop-off only, so confirm the schedule before traveling
Statewide specialized assistive technology needs	Nevada Assistive Technology Resource Center and Assistive Technology for Independent Living	Short-term trial devices, communication aids, mobility technology, and some larger independence-related equipment	This is different from a standard walker-or-wheelchair loan closet

What equipment Nevada seniors can usually find

In Nevada, the most realistic items to find through reuse programs are the basics: canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, shower chairs or benches, bedside commodes, transfer chairs, and other home safety equipment. Larger items may also appear, including hospital beds, lifts, scooters, and personal mobility devices. In Southern Nevada, Foundation Assisting Seniors also lists oxygen concentrators with a prescription. The exact inventory changes with donations, so do not assume an item is available until someone confirms it.

• Canes and crutches
• Walkers and rollators
• Manual wheelchairs
• Shower chairs, benches, and bath safety items
• Bedside commodes and toilet safety items
• Knee walkers
• Hospital beds and Hoyer lifts when available
• Some incontinence supplies and related medical supplies

How loans usually work in Nevada

CARE Chest

CARE Chest says free medical resources are available to qualifying Nevadans at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). First-time applicants, and then yearly after that, should be ready to show proof of identity, Nevada residency, and income. CARE Chest says durable medical equipment can be loaned for as long as it is needed, and it may be able to arrange delivery for homebound consumers. If income is too high for the free durable medical equipment program, CARE Chest says people can join Club CARE Chest for an annual $50 membership.

Nevada Assistive Technology Resource Center device loans

The Nevada Assistive Technology Resource Center is not a standard long-term loan closet. It is best for trying equipment before buying, comparing options, or getting a short-term accommodation while repair or funding is pending. The Nevada Assistive Technology Collaborative says these no-cost loans are generally about 14 days. The current University of Nevada, Reno page also says the center’s contact information changed recently and that hours may vary, so call or email before you drive.

Foundation Assisting Seniors in Southern Nevada

Foundation Assisting Seniors says it helps adults 50 and older in the Las Vegas Valley with free medical equipment. Its current Get Equipment page says items may be provided as long as needed and sometimes permanently if that best supports the senior’s situation. One older equipment page still describes the program as short-term, so call first and ask what rule applies to the item you need today. The same page says medical beds and Hoyer lifts may require a small non-refundable donation, but no one is turned away for inability to give. Oxygen concentrators require a prescription.

What to do first

1. Write down the exact item you need. Say “standard walker,” “transport chair,” “bedside commode,” or “semi-electric hospital bed,” not just “medical equipment.”
2. Call CARE Chest first. If you are in southern Nevada, call Foundation Assisting Seniors the same day too.
3. Ask if the item is in stock now. Nevada inventory changes fast.
4. Ask what documents are required. This matters most for CARE Chest and for prescription items.
5. Ask whether pickup or delivery is possible. Do not assume a volunteer can lift a bed into your car.
6. If the item should also be covered by insurance, start that claim at the same time. Reuse can solve today’s problem while insurance handles the longer-term one.

What to gather or know first

• ☐ The exact item name and whether it is needed for a few weeks or long term
• ☐ The senior’s height, weight, and any seat-width or transfer needs
• ☐ Whether the home has stairs, narrow doors, or a small bathroom
• ☐ Whether you have a truck, SUV, helper, or need delivery
• ☐ Photo identification, proof of Nevada address, and proof of income if applying through CARE Chest
• ☐ A prescription if the item requires one, such as an oxygen concentrator
• ☐ Your doctor, therapist, or discharge planner’s name if the program wants confirmation

What to ask before pickup

• Is the item available right now, or am I being added to a waiting list?
• Are all parts included? Ask about footrests, leg rests, charger, seat cushion, mattress, or transfer arm.
• What is the weight limit and seat width?
• Has it been cleaned and checked?
• How long can I keep it?
• Who loads it, delivers it, or helps with stairs?
• If it breaks, who do I call?

Transportation, delivery, sanitation, and rural Nevada

Transportation and delivery issues

Nevada’s distances are a real problem. CARE Chest says delivery may be arranged for homebound consumers, and Foundation Assisting Seniors says it maintains and delivers equipment in Southern Nevada. Even so, many Nevada reuse options work by pickup, warehouse visit, or monthly outreach stop. Ask whether the item can be held for you, loaded into your vehicle, or delivered to a senior center closer to home.

Sanitation and condition questions

CARE Chest says reused equipment is inspected, sanitized, and refurbished as needed before reassignment. Foundation Assisting Seniors says all equipment is cleaned, disinfected, and sanitized with Microshield 360. That is reassuring, but you should still do a quick safety check before taking anything home.

• Do the brakes lock?
• Are rubber tips or wheels worn out?
• Are the leg rests, hand grips, and side rails secure?
• If it is powered, does the battery hold a charge and is the charger included?
• If it is a bed or lift, are all hand controls and hardware present?

If you live in rural Nevada or cannot find help nearby

For many rural seniors, the most important Nevada resource is the CARE Chest outreach schedule. CARE Chest says it distributes products across Carson City and many counties, including Churchill, Clark, Douglas, Elko, Esmeralda, Humboldt, Lander, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Pershing, Storey, Washoe, and White Pine. Its published stops include places such as Elko, Ely, Fallon, Fernley, Gardnerville, Laughlin, Mesquite, Pahrump, Tonopah, Winnemucca, Yerington, and several senior centers, food banks, churches, and tribal community sites. If you cannot find a nearby closet, start with CARE Chest, then ask Nevada Care Connection to help you map out the closest realistic pickup point. Use Nevada 211 by ZIP code as a backup search.

Donating unused equipment in Nevada

If your family has equipment after a recovery, a move, or a death in the family, Nevada reuse programs need it. The CARE Chest donation page says gently used donations can be dropped off in Reno or Las Vegas and lists walkers, canes, transfer chairs, hand rails, lifts, hospital beds, scooters, and nutritional drinks as high-demand items. The current Foundation Assisting Seniors equipment page says gently used equipment donations are always welcome. Call first before hauling a large bed, lift, or scooter across town.

Reality checks

• Inventory is never guaranteed. A walker may be easy to find. A hospital bed may not be.

• Rural access often runs on monthly schedules. “Nearby” in Nevada may still mean a long drive or waiting for the next outreach stop.

• Reuse is a bridge, not always a perfect fit. Complex wheelchairs and specialty equipment may still need a full medical order and formal fitting.

• Do both tracks at once. If insurance should cover the item, pursue reuse now and coverage at the same time.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Waiting until the day of discharge to start calling
• Assuming Medicare, Nevada Medicaid, and reuse programs are the same thing
• Driving to a warehouse or outreach site without confirming stock
• Forgetting seat width, weight limit, or bathroom size
• Taking home a large item without checking whether you can transport it safely
• Keeping loaned equipment long after it is no longer needed

What to do if the first path does not work

• Call the second path the same day. In Nevada that usually means CARE Chest, Foundation Assisting Seniors if you are in Southern Nevada, Nevada Care Connection, and Nevada 211.
• Ask the Nevada Assistive Technology Resource Center whether a short-term device loan can bridge the gap.
• If the need is tied to a permanent disability and other resources are exhausted, ask CARE Chest about Assistive Technology for Independent Living.
• If a covered item is denied by insurance, do not stop with the loan closet. Use your doctor, your plan’s appeal process, and if needed the Nevada Medicaid fair hearing process or your Medicare rights for covered DME.
• Ask a discharge planner, therapist, home health agency, hospice team, or local senior center who they refer to in your area. Nevada’s best leads are often local.

Frequently asked questions

Does Nevada have one statewide DME loan closet directory?

Not one simple public, state-run list that covers everything. The most useful statewide starting points are CARE Chest for actual equipment, Nevada Care Connection for guided navigation, the Nevada 211 assistive technology search for local lookups, and the Nevada Assistive Technology Resource Center for short-term device loans and demonstrations.

What is the fastest place to start if I need a wheelchair or walker this week?

For most Nevadans, start with CARE Chest. In the Las Vegas Valley, also call Foundation Assisting Seniors if the senior is 50 or older. If the person is leaving a hospital or rehab center, ask the discharge planner to help with a bridge plan the same day.

Can I get free medical equipment in Las Vegas or Henderson?

Yes, many seniors can. CARE Chest has a Las Vegas location, and Foundation Assisting Seniors serves older adults in the Las Vegas Valley and Henderson area. Foundation Assisting Seniors lists walkers, wheelchairs, shower benches, commodes, knee walkers, beds, lifts, incontinence supplies, and some oxygen concentrators with a prescription. Always call ahead because availability depends on donations.

What if I live in Pahrump, Elko, Ely, Winnemucca, Tonopah, or another rural area?

You are not limited to Reno and Las Vegas, but you may need to work around outreach dates. CARE Chest publishes outreach stops in many rural towns and counties, and Nevada Care Connection or Nevada 211 can help you identify the closest workable site. Because some stops are monthly and some are listed as drop-off only, call before you make a long trip.

Are loan closets the same as Medicare or Nevada Medicaid coverage?

No. A reuse program is community help. Medicare and Nevada Medicaid are insurance programs with their own coverage rules, doctor requirements, suppliers, and appeal rights. A smart Nevada strategy is often to use reuse for the immediate need while also working the formal insurance process for longer-term equipment.

Do I need a prescription or paperwork?

Sometimes. CARE Chest says applicants should be ready with proof of identity, Nevada residence, and income, and some services may also require a prescription. Foundation Assisting Seniors says oxygen concentrators require a prescription. For specialized assistive technology through the Nevada Assistive Technology Resource Center, call first and ask what is needed for the specific device or appointment.

Can I donate a hospital bed, walker, or shower chair in Nevada?

Usually yes, but call first. CARE Chest accepts gently used medical equipment in Reno and Las Vegas and asks donors with large items to schedule ahead. Foundation Assisting Seniors also says gently used equipment donations are welcome. A quick phone call can save you a wasted trip and tell you whether the program can take the item safely.

Resumen en español

En Nevada, no parece existir un solo directorio estatal y público para closets de préstamo de equipo médico durable. Las rutas más útiles suelen ser CARE Chest para conseguir equipo reutilizado, Nevada Care Connection para orientación personalizada, y la búsqueda de tecnología asistiva de Nevada 211 para encontrar ayuda por código postal. Si la necesidad es probar un dispositivo por poco tiempo o entender opciones de tecnología asistiva, también conviene llamar al Nevada Assistive Technology Resource Center.

En el sur del estado, la Foundation Assisting Seniors puede ser muy útil para personas de 50 años o más en Las Vegas y Henderson. En zonas rurales, revise el calendario de alcance comunitario de CARE Chest, porque hay paradas en varias ciudades fuera de Reno y Las Vegas. Siempre llame antes de manejar, pregunte si el artículo está disponible, y confirme si necesita receta, identificación, comprobante de domicilio o ayuda con entrega. Recuerde también que un closet de préstamo no reemplaza el proceso de Medicare o Nevada Medicaid cuando el equipo debe ser cubierto por seguro.

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 informational only and is not legal, financial, medical, or government-agency advice. Office procedures, provider policies, complaint routes, inventory, and program rules can change. Before acting, confirm current details directly with the official office, nonprofit, health plan, hospital, or equipment provider involved.