Wheelchairs. Grab bars. Tub benches. Oh my! The costs really add up when you’re trying to live safely and independently at home!

Home equipment, like shower chairs or toilet risers, can make it easier for people to stay independent in taking care of themselves. Sadly, most people cannot afford to buy brand new equipment out of pocket.

Your insurance will most likely not pay for this stuff. It’s worthwhile to contact your insurance provider and ask what they will pay for. Some insurance companies will pay for equipment if you’re considered “medically complex”. Medicare will make you pay 20% of equipment rental, but not for every single piece of equipment you need.

If you find that your insurance won’t pay for home equipment, here are four tips that can help you get what you need for little to no cost!

1) Ask Friends and Family

Did Cousin Rachel just get her hip replaced five months ago? Did your neighbor get better after his car accident last year?

Think about the people you know who recently went through surgery or a hospital stay. Ask them if they have equipment they’re no longer using. If you’re striking out, ask your relatives or friends if they know someone who might have equipment.

Are you on Facebook? Using social media can be a quick, effective way to find what you need. For example, you can post, “Looking for a shower chair”. (Remember, you don’t need to give a reason why!) People generally want to help each other out.

Also, consider looking on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist for free or low-cost home equipment in your community!

Make sure you don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. If Uncle Ed presents you with a dusty shower chair that sat in his attic for ten months, remember to thank him and power wash that sucker down! I find that rubbing alcohol and diluted vinegar goes a long way when cleaning preowned equipment!

Most of the time, you may get equipment that looks less than presentable, but if it’s in good working order then focus on the fact you just saved around $100!

2) Thrift Stores and Yard Sales

I understand that during these times of COVID, this option may not be the best (or easiest) for some people. However, I know that wearing a mask and socially distancing at thrift stores and yard sales can keep you safe while looking for home equipment. You can find some AMAZING deals to keep you safe and independent at home!

I’ve personally found bedside commodes and shower benches in almost every thrift store I’ve walked into. Just like anything else, make sure the equipment is NOT broken before purchase. Push down on seats, adjust the leg height, roll the wheels, lock the brakes, etc. You don’t want to take home something you can’t use!

The great thing about yard sales is asking about the history of the item. Usually, it’s a family member selling the equipment and they can give you an idea of how many people used it and for how long. You could probably even haggle down the price at a yard sale. The sellers typically just want to get rid of excess belongings as opposed to making a huge profit!

3) Contact Local Organizations

This one may require a little bit more research from you. Open up the internet machine and use a search engine to look for these terms: ‘free’, ‘reused’, ‘durable medical equipment’, ‘assistive devices’, and your city and state. Hopefully, you’ll find a couple of organizations that offer a free or reduced-price equipment exchange program.

In the Kansas City metro area, take a look at the Kansas Equipment Exchange Reuse Program and Missouri Assistive Technology Recycle and Reuse Program for free home equipment. It’s so worth it to try and get as much as you need through these organizations. Personally, I love paying it forward with donating equipment back to them!

Also contact local churches, mosques, or temples to see if they have a reusable equipment program. You may luck out and receive extra services like home repair or outdoor yardwork for free!

Call up Habitat for Humanity Restore locations to see if they happen to have any grab bars donated. You never know!

4) Social workers, case managers, and occupational therapists!

Let’s say you or you’re loved one is rehabilitating in a facility right now and you need equipment before going home. Use those social workers and case managers!!! You’re already assigned one! Ask them for information for free or reduced-cost equipment to help you out at home.

If the social worker doesn’t know, then guess what? They work in a department of social workers and can ask others for more information.

Occupational therapists, AKA my favorite people of all time (I’m kind of biased), will usually bend over backward to help you find what you need. First of all, we’re recommending the home equipment that will help you the most and we REALLY REALLY want you to have it! Please ask us how to help you. It sparks joy in us when our clients sincerely ask about how to find what they need to be independent in taking care of themselves at home.

Paying the full cost for home equipment seems really silly to me when you think about the enormous amount of people who own equipment and aren’t using it.

By 2030, half of the U.S. population will be over the age of 65, so the needs for home equipment will go up. This means we need to know how to get the most bang for our buck right now! Use those exchange programs and give back! Don’t hoard equipment in the shed or basement!

Tell us your experience with home equipment in the comments below! What do you do to save money while staying safe in your home?

(Hey, did you know we have an awesome online course for people who have a hard time wiping after using the toilet? It’s an awkward topic that you can learn how to solve in the comfort and privacy of your own home! Learn more about the course HERE!)