DME Loan Closets and Medical Equipment Reuse in New Hampshire

Last updated: 16 April 2026

Bottom Line: New Hampshire does not have one single state-run free durable medical equipment (DME) warehouse that handles every need. The most useful real-world starting points are the statewide Assistive Technology New Hampshire (ATinNH) network, NHCarePath and ServiceLink, plus strong regional loan closets in places like Derry, New London, Nashua, Salem, Windham, the Upper Valley, and Grafton County.

For small items like walkers, commodes, and shower chairs, free local closets are often the fastest answer. For harder items like hospital beds, patient lifts, scooters, power chairs, or bariatric equipment, you may need a waitlist, a cross-county referral, or a low-cost refurbished option such as REM in Concord.

Emergency help now

• If a senior is being discharged today and needs equipment right away, call ATinNH at 603-862-3399 and also call the closest local closet from the table below to ask, “Do you have this item in stock today?”
• If you do not know where to start, call ServiceLink at 1-866-634-9412 or 211 New Hampshire by dialing 211 or 1-866-444-4211 for local referrals and transportation ideas.
• If the person cannot transfer safely, has a breathing problem, or is in immediate danger, call the doctor, visiting nurse, or 911.

Quick help box

• Fastest statewide start: Use NH AT4ALL and call ATinNH.
• Best “find me something near me” option: Call ServiceLink.
• Best after-hours backup: Call 211 NH, available 24 hours a day.
• Best free southern NH loan closet: Community Caregivers of Greater Derry.
• Best free Upper Valley option: Upper Valley Health Closet.
• Best low-cost reuse shop when free closets are empty: REM in Concord.

What this help is in New Hampshire — and what it is not

What it is: In New Hampshire, DME reuse usually means a donated or refurbished item that can be borrowed, reused, or bought at a much lower price. The state’s main assistive technology hub, ATinNH, offers short-term loans and points people to long-term partner programs and local equipment resources across the state.

What it is not: This is not the same as a prescription-based insurance supplier. A community loan closet may not bill Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance, may not size the item for you, and may not have the exact model you want. Stock changes with donations, and many programs are first-come, first-served.

Quick facts

• Statewide starting point: ATinNH is New Hampshire’s statewide assistive technology program.
• Local navigation: ServiceLink is New Hampshire’s Aging and Disability Resource Center, with at least one location in each county and 13 offices statewide.
• Online reuse search: NH AT4ALL is the online starting point ATinNH recommends for browsing listed items and participating programs.
• Short-term loan rule to know: ATinNH says many short-term loans run up to 45 days.
• Long-term reality: Open-ended reused-equipment loans are usually handled by partner senior centers and local community programs, not one single state warehouse.
• Anytime phone help: 211 NH is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Best New Hampshire starting points

Program or office	Best for	Main area	How to start
ATinNH	Statewide assistive technology loans, reuse leads, and the best first state-level triage	Statewide	Call 603-862-3399 or start with NH AT4ALL
ServiceLink / NHCarePath	County-by-county guidance, caregiver help, transportation leads, Medicare and Medicaid navigation	Statewide	Call 1-866-634-9412
211 NH	Fast local referrals when you do not know which agency to call	Statewide	Dial 211 or call 1-866-444-4211
Community Caregivers of Greater Derry Loaner’s Closet	Large free closet for common home-use equipment, with waitlists when needed	Southern NH; no geographic restriction listed	Call 603-432-0877 ext. 3
Chapin Senior Center Mobility Equipment Loan Program	Free short-term loans for walkers, wheelchairs, commodes, bath seats, and more	New London / Kearsarge region; open to any community member	Call 603-526-6368 before pickup
Joseph’s Closet at St. Joseph Hospital	Free equipment in the Greater Nashua area	Nashua / southern border region	Call 603-579-5634
Upper Valley Health Closet	Free reused equipment, including some larger items	Hanover / Canaan / Upper Valley	Call 603-477-8144 or 603-558-7298
Ingram Senior Center Medical Equipment Loaner Program	No-charge small DME with no set time limit if in stock	Salem	Call 603-890-2190
Windham Senior Center	Borrowed health aids and some local transportation help	Windham	Call 603-434-2411
Grafton County Senior Citizens Council	Rural western and northern NH support, AT-related help, and transportation through local centers	Grafton County	Call Lebanon 603-448-1558 or Littleton 603-444-4498
REM	Low-cost refurbished equipment when free closets are empty or you need a bigger item	Concord; serves NH and beyond	Call 603-226-2903 or shop online

What New Hampshire actually offers statewide

The best statewide front door is Assistive Technology New Hampshire. ATinNH says anyone in New Hampshire can borrow a device to explore assistive technology, and it recommends starting with NH AT4ALL. Its current guidance says short-term loans can run up to 45 days, while open-ended long-term loans usually happen through reused equipment at senior-center and community partners.

The best statewide “help me find the right local place” option is ServiceLink, part of NHCarePath. The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services says ServiceLink is the state’s Aging and Disability Resource Center, with offices across all ten counties. It is the right call when you need local referrals, caregiver support, transportation ideas, or help sorting out whether you should use a free closet, a rental, or an insurance route.

If you just need a human being to help you sort the options fast, 211 NH is a strong backup. It is available 24 hours a day and can point you toward local agencies and nonprofits. That matters in New Hampshire because equipment help is spread across town senior centers, hospital-run closets, nonprofit reuse groups, and county aging networks rather than one single state program.

Major regional loan closets and reuse programs

Southern New Hampshire

Community Caregivers of Greater Derry is one of the strongest free options in the state. It says loans are free, there are no geographic restrictions, and borrowers can be placed on a waitlist when an item is out. Its usual inventory includes canes, walkers, rollators, wheelchairs, shower chairs, transfer benches, commodes, bariatric items, and many smaller daily-living aids. Large items such as hospital beds, scooters, and Hoyer lifts are harder there because the closet says it cannot stock many oversized items on site, though it often keeps contact information for people who have them.

In Nashua, Joseph’s Closet at St. Joseph Hospital provides free equipment to people in the Greater Nashua community. Its published list includes wheelchairs, walkers with wheels, three-in-one commodes, raised toilet seats with arms, shower chairs, rollators, knee walkers, transfer boards, bed rails, canes, gait belts, sock aids, and reachers. In Salem, the Ingram Senior Center lends small DME at no charge with no set time limit if the item is available. In Windham, the Senior Center says it lends walkers, crutches, shower chairs, commodes, and other health aids, and the town also lists transportation help for some medical appointments.

If the southern NH free closets are empty, New Horizons in the Manchester area also lets people request or donate medical equipment through its loan-closet form. That is best used as a fallback, because the public page does not publish a live inventory.

Central New Hampshire and the Kearsarge region

The Chapin Senior Center Mobility Equipment Loan Program in New London is one of the most senior-friendly programs in the state. It is free, open to any community member, does not require membership, and usually stocks wheelchairs, transfer chairs, walkers, crutches, canes, commodes, toilet seat risers, and bath or shower seats. Its standard loan period is six weeks, with extensions available.

For people who cannot find a free loan, the paid fallback that is most clearly built around reuse is REM in Concord. REM lists manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, bath equipment, walking aids, scooters, pediatric items, patient lifts, and hospital beds or rails. REM says it offers a 7-day return policy and a 30-day warranty, and its FAQ says most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, do not recognize or cover used or refurbished equipment.

Upper Valley, Sullivan County, and rural western or northern New Hampshire

The Upper Valley Health Closet is one of the best reuse options for rural seniors. It says anyone is welcome to make a request and that there is no threshold to receive free equipment. Its sample inventory includes grabbers, sock helpers, grab bars, hospital beds, bed rails, patient lifts, bath benches, transfer chairs, commodes, wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, rollators, canes, and crutches.

ATinNH also points Sullivan County residents to the Newport Senior Center and lists the Grafton County Senior Citizens Council as a partner for long-term loans. Grafton County’s ServiceLink operation has offices in Lebanon and Littleton, and GCSCC says its local centers also provide transportation in lift-equipped vans to medical appointments, groceries, senior centers, and more. For a rural senior in Grafton, Sullivan, Coos, or Carroll County, that mix of ServiceLink + ATinNH + the nearest regional closet is usually the smartest first path.

What equipment is usually available — and what is harder to find

Equipment type	Best first NH path	Reality check
Walkers, canes, crutches	Local closets such as Derry, Chapin, Salem, Windham, or Joseph’s Closet	Usually the easiest items to find, but you still need the right height and style.
Commodes, toilet risers, shower chairs, bath benches	Community closets and senior centers	Common in New Hampshire, but transfer benches and bariatric bath items are less predictable.
Manual wheelchairs and transport chairs	ATinNH, local closets, Joseph’s Closet, Chapin, Upper Valley	Usually available somewhere, but seat width and leg-rest style vary.
Hospital beds, patient lifts, bed rails	Upper Valley Health Closet, REM, or a referral through ServiceLink	Harder to find free because of storage, transport, and setup issues.
Power wheelchairs and scooters	ATinNH for leads; REM for refurbished options	Much harder to get free. Ask about batteries, charger, seat size, and warranty.
Bariatric equipment	Community Caregivers or REM	Limited stock. Call early and ask about exact weight limits.
Adult pull-ups, Chux, and some small supplies	Community Caregivers or Joseph’s Closet if available	Availability is donation-based and changes fast.
Ramps, grab bars, home access items	ATinNH and ServiceLink for referrals, then local vendors if needed	These are often a separate home-access problem, not a standard loan-closet item.

How loans usually work in New Hampshire

New Hampshire programs do not all work the same way. ATinNH says many short-term loans can last up to 45 days. Chapin uses a six-week standard with extensions. Salem says there is no charge and no time limit if the item is available. Community Caregivers and Upper Valley both ask people to return items when they are no longer needed so someone else can use them.

1. Call first. Even good programs do not post live inventory for every item.
2. Ask if the item is in stock, on a waitlist, or can be held. Salem only holds equipment for one day, and Community Caregivers says it keeps waitlists.
3. Expect a simple sign-out or loan agreement. Community Caregivers and Chapin both describe a simple form process.
4. Use the item for the approved period. Some loans are short-term; some are open-ended reused loans.
5. Return it clean and complete. Most programs depend on reuse and do not want damaged or unsafe returns.

What to ask before pickup

• Is the item in stock right now?
• What is the seat width, height range, or weight limit?
• Does it fold, and will it fit in my car?
• Are all parts included, including footrests, charger, tray, or sling?
• Has it been cleaned, sanitized, and checked for safety?
• Is there a deadline, extension rule, or waitlist behind me?
• Do you offer delivery, or is pickup required?
• If this item is wrong for me, what other New Hampshire program should I call next?

Transportation and delivery issues

Most New Hampshire programs are pickup-first. That is one reason rural seniors often need a second call for transportation help. Community Caregivers says it does not routinely pick up or deliver donations and handles pickup requests case by case, and its larger-item contacts usually require the borrower to arrange transport. Salem expects pickup during senior-center hours. Upper Valley strongly hints that volunteer delivery can sometimes happen, but you should never assume it.

If transportation is the real barrier, tell the first program that on the first call. In some parts of the state, town or county senior transportation can solve the problem. Windham lists transportation for some medical appointments, Grafton County says it drives clients in lift-equipped vans, and NHCarePath’s own brochure lists transportation assistance as one of the supports people may reach through the network.

Sanitation and condition questions

You are allowed to ask tough questions. Community Caregivers says donated items are evaluated, cleaned, and logged before loan. Upper Valley says it refurbishes donated equipment. REM says it inspects for safety and sanitizes items, and Joseph’s Closet only accepts donations that are clean, safe, and usable. Even so, ask when the item was cleaned, whether any parts were replaced, whether it came from a smoking home, and whether a clinician has checked that the size is right for the user.

What to do first

• Write down the exact item needed. Example: “front-wheel walker,” “transfer bench,” or “20-inch transport chair.”
• Start with ATinNH or NH AT4ALL. This is the best statewide sorting step.
• Call ServiceLink if you need the nearest real option. Ask for the closest local closet, senior center, or county partner.
• Call two or three local programs, not just one. Inventory changes fast in New Hampshire.
• If you need a large or uncommon item, check REM the same day.
• If no one can help nearby, ask for the next county over and a transportation lead.

What to gather or know first

• ☐ The user’s height, weight, and basic mobility level
• ☐ The exact item name, or a photo of something similar
• ☐ Whether the item is for short recovery or a long-term need
• ☐ Whether the home has stairs, narrow doorways, or a small bathroom
• ☐ Whether you have a vehicle big enough for pickup
• ☐ Whether a doctor, occupational therapist, or physical therapist has recommended a size or model
• ☐ The discharge date, surgery date, or date the item is needed

Reality checks

• Inventory changes daily. A closet may have three walkers one week and none the next. That is normal for reuse programs.
• Large items are the hardest part of the New Hampshire system. Beds, lifts, scooters, power chairs, and bariatric items take more space and transport.
• Rural seniors often need cross-county help. In western or northern New Hampshire, the best answer may be a ServiceLink referral plus a drive to the nearest regional program.
• Free does not mean professionally fitted. Chapin specifically tells borrowers to check with a health care provider for correct sizing.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Do not drive over without calling first. Many New Hampshire programs do not publish live stock.
• Do not assume a free item is the right size.
• Do not mix up a loan closet with an insurance supplier.
• Do not forget to ask about batteries, footrests, slings, or chargers.
• Do not assume delivery is included.
• Do not donate dirty, rusty, incomplete, or unsafe equipment.

What to do if the first path does not work

• Ask to be placed on a waitlist. Community Caregivers uses them.
• Ask the program who they refer people to next. ATinNH and local closets both point people to partner resources.
• Search another region of the state. Southern NH, the Kearsarge region, the Upper Valley, and Grafton County all have different inventories.
• Try REM for a low-cost refurbished item if the free path is empty.
• Use ServiceLink for transportation or cross-county referrals.
• If the issue is home access, not a portable item, ask for a home-accessibility referral instead of only a DME referral.

Frequently asked questions

Is there one statewide free medical equipment program in New Hampshire?

No. New Hampshire’s real system is a network. The strongest statewide start is ATinNH, but long-term reused equipment is often held by local partners such as senior centers, county aging networks, hospital closets, and community programs.

What is the best first call for a rural senior in New Hampshire?

Usually ServiceLink. It can connect you to the closest county or regional option, and it is built to work statewide. In western or northern New Hampshire, also check Upper Valley Health Closet, the Grafton County Senior Citizens Council, and the regional options listed by ATinNH.

Can I get a hospital bed or a power wheelchair for free?

Sometimes, but those are much harder to find than walkers or shower chairs. Upper Valley Health Closet lists hospital beds and patient lifts, while REM regularly lists power chairs, scooters, patient lifts, and hospital beds or rails at reduced cost. If the first free closet is empty, ask for a waitlist or a cross-county referral right away.

Do I have to be low-income or live in a certain town?

It depends on the program. Community Caregivers says it has no geographic restrictions, Chapin says its program is open to any community member regardless of age or town, and Upper Valley says anyone can request equipment. Other programs are more local, such as Joseph’s Closet in the Greater Nashua community or town senior centers like Salem and Windham.

Are these reused items cleaned and safe?

They are usually cleaned and screened, but you should still ask questions. Community Caregivers says it evaluates and cleans items, Upper Valley says it refurbishes them, REM says it inspects and sanitizes them, and Joseph’s Closet only accepts clean, safe, usable donations. Still ask about condition, missing parts, and fit before you take anything home.

Will someone deliver the equipment to my home?

Sometimes, but often no. Many New Hampshire programs expect pickup. Community Caregivers handles pickup help case by case, Salem expects pickup during center hours, and Upper Valley suggests delivery may sometimes happen through volunteers. If you cannot transport the item, ask ServiceLink, Windham, or your county senior center about transportation help.

Can I donate used medical equipment in New Hampshire?

Yes. Good places to start are Community Caregivers, Joseph’s Closet, REM, Upper Valley Health Closet, and New Horizons. Always call first, make sure the item is clean and complete, and do not leave it outside unless the program specifically tells you to.

Will Medicare or Medicaid pay for a loan-closet item?

Usually not in the way people expect. Loan closets and reused-equipment programs are separate from insurance billing, and REM says most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, do not cover used or refurbished equipment. If you need a prescription-based supplier, use your doctor or discharge planner, and use a loan closet to bridge the gap while you wait.

Resumen en español

New Hampshire no tiene un solo programa estatal que entregue todo el equipo médico gratis desde un solo lugar. La mejor manera de empezar es con Assistive Technology New Hampshire (ATinNH), con ServiceLink, y con 211 New Hampshire. Si usted vive en una zona rural, pida una referencia para el programa más cercano y pregunte también por ayuda con transporte.

En el sur del estado, muchas familias empiezan con Community Caregivers of Greater Derry o con Joseph’s Closet en Nashua. En el oeste y en el Upper Valley, revise Upper Valley Health Closet, el Chapin Senior Center, y las opciones del Grafton County Senior Citizens Council. Si no encuentra el artículo gratis, REM en Concord vende equipo restaurado a bajo costo. Antes de recoger cualquier artículo, pregunte si está limpio, si tiene todas las piezas, si el tamaño es correcto y si necesita transporte para llevarlo a casa.

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 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, provider hours, transportation rules, and program policies can change. Confirm current details directly with the official office or provider before acting.