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Last updated: 19 September 2026
New Hampshire has no single warehouse that can supply every walker, wheelchair, shower chair, hospital bed, lift, or scooter. The useful path is a network: statewide assistive-technology services, local loan closets, senior centers, hospital programs, and low-cost refurbished equipment.
This guide focuses on durable medical equipment (DME) and assistive technology you may be able to borrow, reuse, or buy for less. Stock changes fast, so call or check the program before you drive.
Bottom Line
Start with ATinNH if you want to try or borrow assistive technology, or call New Hampshire’s ADRC network at 1-866-634-9412 if you need the nearest local option. For a common walker, cane, commode, bath seat, or manual wheelchair, a local closet may be the fastest route. For beds, patient lifts, powered chairs, or bariatric equipment, start more than one path at the same time.
Need Equipment Right Away?
- Hospital discharge today: ask the discharge planner for the exact item, size, and safe substitute. Then call the closest closet before leaving the hospital.
- No idea where to call: use the ADRC number above and ask for the nearest DME loan program for your town or county.
- After hours: call 211 New Hampshire by dialing 211 or 1-866-444-4211. The service connects people with non-emergency health and human-service resources.
- Unsafe transfer, breathing problem, fall, or medical danger: contact the medical team or call 911. A loan closet is not emergency medical care.
Start Here
- Name the exact item. Write down size, user height and weight, and any special parts such as footrests, a sling, rails, or a charger.
- Check a statewide route. Use ATinNH for device loans and reuse options, or call the ADRC network for a local referral.
- Call before driving. Ask whether the item is in stock today, whether it can be held, and whether pickup or delivery is possible.
Quick Reference: Where to Start
| Need | First route | What to ask | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Try equipment before buying | ATinNH / AT4All | Can I borrow this device to test it? | ATinNH says statewide short-term loans can run up to 45 days. |
| Walker, cane, commode, bath seat | Local loan closet | Do you have it in stock today? | Common items move quickly and may be first-come, first-served. |
| Hospital bed, lift, scooter, power chair | Reuse partner plus insurance | Is the right size and every part included? | Large equipment needs storage, transport, setup, and sometimes clinical fitting. |
| No nearby program | ADRC / ServiceLink | What is the nearest program serving my town? | The best option may be in another town or county. |
| Free options are empty | REM or medical supplier | What will this cost and what is the return rule? | A paid refurbished item can be a faster bridge while insurance is pending. |
What Has Changed
ATinNH now clearly separates two useful paths: its statewide short-term lending library, where devices can be requested for up to 45 days, and open-ended long-term loans through community reuse partners. Its current reuse network includes Chapin Senior Center, Community Caregivers, Grafton County Senior Citizens Council, REM, Windham, Joseph’s Closet, Upper Valley Health Closet, Newport, and Salem.
The Upper Valley Health Closet also now operates from 2 Mascoma Street in Lebanon and states that its loaned equipment is free regardless of financial situation. Because its schedule can change, check current hours before pickup.
Best Statewide Options
Assistive Technology New Hampshire
Assistive Technology New Hampshire (ATinNH) is the state assistive-technology program at the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability. It offers device demonstrations, loans, training, technical help, reuse programs, and links to lower-cost equipment.
Who can use it: ATinNH says anyone in New Hampshire who wants to explore assistive technology for daily life, personal goals, or a loved one’s needs can use its device-loan path.
How to start: Search its AT4All lending library if you want to test a device. For longer-term DME, use ATinNH’s reuse partner list.
ADRC / ServiceLink
New Hampshire’s Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs), formerly known as ServiceLink, help people find aging and disability services, Medicare counseling, Medicaid navigation, caregiver support, and local resources. Call 1-866-634-9412.
This is a good first call when you live in a rural area, need transportation to pick up equipment, or do not know which local closet serves your town. For more local aging contacts, see the GFS guide to New Hampshire aging agencies.
If equipment is one part of a bigger benefits problem, the GFS New Hampshire assistance guide can help you sort health, food, housing, utility, and care programs.
Local Loan Closets and Reuse Programs
These programs have different service areas and rules. Call before driving, because equipment can be borrowed or returned the same day.
| Program | Area | Useful details | First contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community Caregivers | Derry; borrowers can come from across New Hampshire | Free loans, no geographic restriction, waitlist when an item is out | 603-432-0877 ext. 3 |
| Chapin Senior Center | New London / Kearsarge region | Free, open to community members, standard six-week loan with extensions | 603-526-6368 |
| Joseph’s Closet | Greater Nashua | Free DME for people in need; limited weekly hours | 603-579-5634 |
| Upper Valley Health Closet | Lebanon / Upper Valley | Free regardless of financial situation; some large equipment by arrangement | Check current schedule online |
| Ingram Senior Center | Salem | Small DME, no charge, no set loan limit, one-day holds | 603-890-2190 |
| Windham Senior Center | Windham | Walkers, wheelchairs, shower chairs, commodes and other aids for residents | 603-434-2411 |
| Grafton County ADRC | Grafton County | ATinNH partner plus aging, Medicaid, Medicare, caregiver and transport referrals | 603-448-1558 or 603-444-4498 |
| REM | Concord; serves New Hampshire | Low-cost refurbished equipment; current site lists a 7-day return policy and 30-day warranty | 603-226-2903 |
Call first. A program can be real and active while the exact item you need is unavailable that day.
What Equipment Is Easier to Find?
Small, common items are usually easier to borrow than large powered equipment. The safest first route depends on the item.
| Equipment | Best first route | Check before pickup | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canes, crutches, walkers | Local closets | Height, wheels, brakes, tips | Common, but the wrong height can increase fall risk. |
| Bath seats, commodes, toilet aids | Community closets | Width, arms, weight limit, cleaning | Transfer benches may be harder to find. |
| Manual wheelchairs | ATinNH partners | Seat width, footrests, brakes, user weight | Poor fit can cause pain, falls, or skin problems. |
| Hospital beds and lifts | Upper Valley, REM, insurance | Mattress, rails, sling, power, delivery | Transport, setup, and training are often the hardest parts. |
| Scooters and power chairs | ATinNH or REM | Battery, charger, seat, controls | Free powered equipment is less predictable. |
| Ramps and grab bars | Home-access programs | Installation, landlord approval, permits | These are often home modifications, not portable DME. |
If the real problem is an unsafe entrance, bathroom, or doorway, use the GFS guide to New Hampshire home repairs instead of treating every access problem as an equipment-loan problem. For disposable incontinence products, see incontinence supply help; those items usually do not belong in reuse programs.
How Loans, Pickup, and Returns Work
There is no single statewide rule. Each program controls its own inventory, hold period, service area, loan length, cleaning process, and return policy.
- ATinNH short-term loans: its current FAQ says devices can be borrowed for up to 45 days.
- Open-ended partner loans: ATinNH says some reused devices are available through partners for as long as needed, then should be returned so another person can use them.
- Chapin: the standard loan is six weeks, with extensions available.
- Salem: the Ingram Senior Center says there is no charge and no set borrowing time limit, but equipment is first-come, first-served and held for only one day.
- Community Caregivers: borrowers complete a simple agreement and return equipment when it is no longer needed. If an item is unavailable, the program uses a waitlist.
Do not assume “free” means fitted or prescribed. A loan closet may not be able to size a wheelchair, choose a sling, set a walker height, or decide whether a device is medically safe. Ask a doctor, physical therapist, or occupational therapist when fit affects safety.
Medicare and Medicaid Can Still Matter
A loan closet is separate from insurance billing. It can be a bridge while a formal equipment request is being handled, or it can help when you need a basic item that is available locally.
Medicare: Medicare Part B can cover medically necessary DME ordered for use in the home. The federal Medicare DME guide says that after the Part B deductible, a beneficiary generally pays 20% of the Medicare-approved amount when the supplier accepts assignment. Use the supplier directory to find enrolled suppliers. Coverage and rental-versus-purchase rules depend on the item.
New Hampshire Medicaid: if the person has Medicaid, ask the prescribing clinician, Medicaid plan, or case manager how the equipment must be ordered and which supplier can be used. Start from the official NH Medicaid page. Do not pay a private seller first and assume Medicaid will reimburse you later.
If Medicare premiums and other health costs are making equipment harder to afford, the GFS guide to NH Medicare Savings can help you prepare questions for the state.
How to Start Without Wasting Time
- Get the exact equipment name. “Wheelchair” is too broad. Write seat width, user weight, footrest needs, and whether it must fold.
- Call two routes at once. Try the nearest closet and begin any insurance process the same day if the item is medically necessary.
- Ask about the next town or county. Rural New Hampshire residents may find the right item outside their immediate area.
- Plan pickup before reserving. Measure the car opening. Ask whether the item breaks down for transport.
- Inspect every part. Check brakes, wheels, tips, rails, upholstery, batteries, chargers, and slings before leaving.
- Keep a backup route. If free stock is empty, ask about a waitlist, short-term substitute, refurbished item, or insurance supplier.
For a broader disability-related problem involving transportation, home care, or accessibility, use the GFS guide to disability help in New Hampshire.
What to Gather Before You Call
- ☐ Exact equipment name
- ☐ User height and weight
- ☐ Wheelchair seat width or other size details
- ☐ Special parts: footrests, sling, rails, charger, cushion
- ☐ Discharge, surgery, or expected-use date
- ☐ Home barriers: stairs, narrow doors, small bathroom
- ☐ Car size or pickup plan
- ☐ Doctor, physical therapist, or occupational therapist notes
- ☐ Medicare, Medicaid, or insurance information if using a supplier
- ☐ Best phone number for waitlist calls
Reality Checks and Common Mistakes
Reality Checks
- Inventory changes constantly. A program can be active but have no wheelchairs today.
- Large equipment takes more work. Beds, lifts, and power mobility need transport, space, parts, and sometimes setup.
- Delivery is not guaranteed. Many closets are pickup-first. Ask before reserving a bulky item.
- Fit matters. The wrong wheelchair width, lift sling, walker height, or weight limit can be unsafe.
- Reuse rules differ. Some programs accept donations that other programs cannot take.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Driving to a closet without checking current stock.
- Asking for a general item without size or weight information.
- Taking a patient lift without the correct sling or training.
- Forgetting a charger or missing wheelchair footrests.
- Assuming a reused item is automatically the right fit.
- Waiting until discharge day to start looking for a large item.
- Leaving donated equipment outside without permission.
If the First Option Fails
Ask for a waitlist and another referral. Community Caregivers uses a waitlist when an item is out. Other programs may simply tell you to call again, so ask which nearby program is most likely to carry the item.
Use a refurbished seller. REM in Concord is the clearest New Hampshire reuse-based paid fallback in this guide. Ask about the exact item, battery condition, return policy, warranty, and pickup or delivery before paying.
Keep the medical route moving. For a hospital bed, power wheelchair, pressure-relief surface, oxygen equipment, or other medically necessary device, ask the prescriber or discharge team to start the formal supplier process even if you borrow a temporary item.
Get help with the larger crisis. If equipment is only one part of an urgent money, housing, or safety problem, the GFS guide to New Hampshire emergency help can point you to broader local support.
Phone Scripts You Can Use
Calling ADRC / ServiceLink
“I am helping an older adult in [town]. They need a [exact item] by [date]. Can you tell me the nearest equipment loan program, whether transportation help is available, and the next place to try if that program has no stock?”
Calling a loan closet
“Do you have a [exact item] in stock today? The person is [height/weight], and we need [size or special part]. Can you hold it, what do we need to bring, and when can we pick it up?”
Calling for large equipment
“We need a [hospital bed/patient lift/scooter]. Are the mattress, rails, sling, battery, charger, and other needed parts included? Is there a weight limit, and do you offer delivery or setup?”
Calling an insurance supplier
“My clinician ordered [item]. Do you accept my Medicare or Medicaid coverage for this equipment? What order, notes, or prior approval do you need, and what should I expect to pay before delivery?”
Resumen en español
New Hampshire no tiene un solo almacén estatal para todo el equipo médico. Para probar un aparato o buscar un préstamo, empiece con ATinNH. Si no sabe qué programa sirve a su ciudad, llame al sistema ADRC/ServiceLink al 1-866-634-9412. Después del horario normal, puede llamar al 211 para buscar recursos locales.
Los artículos pequeños, como bastones, andadores, sillas de ducha e inodoros portátiles, suelen ser más fáciles de encontrar. Las camas de hospital, grúas, scooters y sillas eléctricas pueden requerir más tiempo, transporte, una lista de espera o un proveedor de seguro. Antes de recoger un artículo, pregunte por el tamaño, límite de peso, piezas incluidas, limpieza, transporte y reglas de devolución.
Si Medicare o Medicaid puede cubrir el equipo, mantenga esa solicitud en proceso aunque consiga un préstamo temporal. Un closet de equipo no reemplaza una evaluación médica ni garantiza que el aparato sea del tamaño correcto.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there one statewide free DME program?
No. New Hampshire uses a network. ATinNH provides statewide assistive-technology lending and reuse connections, while many longer equipment loans come from local partner programs.
How long can I borrow ATinNH equipment?
ATinNH says its short-term lending-library loans can last up to 45 days. Separate community reuse partners may offer open-ended loans for people who need equipment longer.
What is the best first call in a rural area?
Call the New Hampshire ADRC network at 1-866-634-9412. Ask for the nearest equipment program, transport help, and another county option if your local program has no stock.
Can I borrow a hospital bed or patient lift?
Possibly, but large equipment is harder to find. Upper Valley Health Closet accepts and lends some large equipment, and REM sells refurbished equipment. Also begin the insurance route if the item is medically necessary.
Do I have to be low-income?
Not always. Rules differ by program. Community Caregivers says its equipment loans are free and have no geographic restriction, while Upper Valley Health Closet says its equipment is free regardless of financial situation. Other programs may use local residency or need rules.
Will a loan closet deliver equipment?
Do not assume delivery. Many programs are pickup-first. Ask about volunteer delivery, town transportation, loading help, and whether a large item can be taken apart for transport.
Can I donate used medical equipment?
Often yes, but call first. Programs may refuse dirty, broken, incomplete, unsafe, very old, or overstocked items. Some medical supplies and respiratory items cannot be reused locally.
Will Medicare pay for a closet item?
Loan closets usually operate outside Medicare billing. If Medicare coverage is needed, use a Medicare-enrolled DME supplier and follow the medical order and coverage rules for that item.
About This Guide
Sources: This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources linked in the article.
Editorial note
This guide is produced under the GFS Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources. GFS is not affiliated with a government agency and is not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Corrections
Despite careful verification, errors may occur. Readers may email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections.
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, funding, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the responsible official program before acting.
Last updated: 19 September 2026 · Next review: 19 January 2027
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