The Ultimate Guide To Used Medical Equipment In California

Finding money for all the equipment that may be needed for aging parents can be difficult at times, but it doesn’t have to be. Gently used equipment which has been re-furbished is a perfectly good option. Of course, you don’t have to buy, there are many organizations who will give, or lend, used medical equipment to individuals in financial need.

In California, you can get used medical equipment from –

• the Ability Tools Assistive Technology Program
• AT Exchange
• reuse, recycling and refurbishing centers
• loan or lending closets all over California
• independent living centers
• Freecycle
• medical equipment suppliers
• thrift stores
• Goodwill stores
• Salvation Army stores
• online classified ad listings
• Facebook selling groups

State government run/organized initiatives

 
I am going to start with State Government run/organized initiatives, as they are well established in the State of California.

In California, access to used medical equipment (or used DME – durable medical equipment) and assistive technologies, at the state level is run under the umbrella of, the California Assistive Technology Program – “ABILITY TOOLS” – with the help of particular reuse programs at various Reuse Centers, Independent Living Centers, and  large non-profit organizations across California.

This coalition of reuse programs is known as the CATRC – The California Assistive Technology Reuse Coalition.

The members of the CATRC work with the ABILITY TOOLS to collect and refurbish used medical equipment, and then help to re-distribute it to those in need.

Through ABILITY TOOLS and the  CATRC there are opportunities to –

• borrow used medical equipment in the short term for free
• borrow used medical equipment for longer periods of time for free
• borrow used medical equipment indefinitely for free
• get given used medical equipment for free
• to buy used medical equipment at a very low cost

The loaned medical equipment is usually given to those with the greatest need.

Let’s start with Ability Tools.

Ability Tools – the California Assistive Technology Program

Ability Tools runs an Assistive Technology Exchange which can be accessed from their website where both organizations can post used medical equipment and AT devices for donation, exchange, loan, or sale, as well as ads for items which a person needs, and where members of the public can also view what is available.

The Assistive Technology Exchange website can be found by going here – http://abilitytools.org/services/at-exchange-transition.php

Ability Tools partners, the CATRC reuse programs, also post their available inventory on the Assistive Technology Exchange website.

“The reuse programs accept assistive technology and medical devices, repair, and sanitize them, and then offer them to people with disabilities for free or at low cost.” – Source here.

Ability Tools also contracts 12 agencies throughout California to run demonstration centers and lending libraries, or loan closets, for AT devices (this includes any equipment which helps you to be able to complete a task you could not do without the equipment) which do short term loans of up to 30 days.

If you want to find the demonstration centers and lending libraries, they are on the Ability Tools website here.

The CATRC – The California Assistive Technology Reuse Coalition

CARTC is a coalition of organizations working to distribute refurbished equipment to those who need it for free or at a very low cost.

The CATRC website is here.

The used medical equipment which has been collected by the CATRC is all listed on the online AT Exchange, which is run by Ability Tools.

You can access the  AT Exchange on the Ability Tools website (the Natads Public Access database) here,

or on the homepage of the CATRC website, where you will also find links to the AT Exchange to –

• buy used medical equipment
• sell used medical equipment
• borrow used medical equipment
• donate used medical equipment
• place an ad for a particular type of equipment you need

If you wish to, you can also contact the individual member organizations near you to find out what equipment may be available to you, using the contact info I have listed with each organization below.

(There are other organizations which are part of the CATRC, but they do not deal with medical equipment, so I have not listed them here).

Pick the nearest city to you to find a CATRC Reuse Program –

Bakersfield

Downey

Los Angeles

Pasadena

San Jose

Santa Ana

Each of the CATRC Reuse Programs may prioritize different members of their communities, or not, and some will loan medical equipment, or sell it at a very low cost, or give it away for free, or all three.

ALS Association, Los Angeles Chapter

The greater Los Angeles chapter of the ALS Association (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) runs a “loan closet” for members who are registered with them.

Address:
P.O. Box 565
Agoura Hills, CA 91376-0565

Phone: 818 865 8067

Website:http://webgw.alsa.org/

DAYLE MCINTOSH CENTER (DMC) Reuse, Repair and Recycle Program DAYLE MCINTOSH CENTER (DMC) (Orange County)

The Dayle McIntosh Center’s reuse, recycle and repair program serves residents of Orange County of all ages with disabilities.

The website page for their assistive technology loan program is here.

The items available change constantly, but examples of medical equipment includes –

• wheelchairs
• walkers
• canes
• crutches
• shower chairs
• commode chairs
• Hoyer lifts

Address:
501 N. Brookhurst Street, #102
Anaheim, CA 92801

Phone: 714 621 3300

Website: https://daylemc.org

You can either contact the program, or look on the AT Exchange website to see what equipment they have available. 

INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER OF KERN COUNTY (ILCKC)

Repair and Re-Use

The Repair and Re-Use Program of Independent Living Center of Kern County is a loan and recycle program which makes wheelchairs and other assistive equipment available to people with disabilities.

The equipment is loaned without fees, and indefinitely

The program loans durable medical equipment such as –

• wheelchairs
• lifts
• walkers
• crutches

Address:
5251 Office Park Drive, Suite 200
Bakersfield, CA 93309

Phone: 661 325 1063

Website: https://ilcofkerncounty.org

Disability Action Center (DAC)

Disability Action Centers run a durable medical equipment recycling program serving all residents in Shasta, Modoc, Siskiyou, Lassen, Butte, Tehama, Glenn, and Plumas County who have a disability.

The equipment is repaired, cleaned, and distributed to people in the communities who need it for free.

The inventory includes items such as –

• wheelchairs
• walkers
• canes
• crutches
• shower chairs
• commode chairs
• Hoyer lifts

You can contact them using the information below, and you can find what is available on the AT Exchange website.

Address:
1161 East Avenue

Chico, CA 95926

Phone: 800 464 8527

Website: https://actionctr.org

Satellite Offices:

1600 West Street,

Redding, CA 96001

Phone: 530 242 8550

Independent Living Resources of Solano and Contra Costa Counties (ILR)

The reuse program is for seniors and people with disabilities who are in need of AT devices and DME, and who are unable to pay for them themselves.

The ILRSCC reuse program will give the equipment for free to low income seniors or people with disabilities in the community.

The devices could be –

• manual wheelchairs
• power wheelchairs
• walkers

You can contact them using the information below.

Address:

1850 Gateway Blvd, Ste. 170
Concord, CA 94520

Phone: 925 363 7293

Website: https://ilrscc.org

Satellite Offices:
301 West 10th Street,
#18 Antioch,
CA 94509

Phone: 925 754 0539

470 Chadbourn Road,
Suite B
Fairfield, CA 94534

Phone: 707 435 817

Southern California Resource Services for Independent Living (SCRS-IL)

The SCRS is an independent Living Center which loans used medical equipment at no cost to persons with disabilities in the community.

The equipment loaned includes items such as –

• wheelchairs
• walkers
• crutches
• canes
• rollators
• portable commodes
• transfer benches
• sliding boards

To inquire, call one of the office numbers below,  and ask for the AT Facilitator.

Website: https://scrs-ilc.org

Arcadia Office Address:
1165 Clark St,
Arcadia, CA 91006

Phone: 626 239 6012

Downey Office Address:
7830 Quill Drive, Ste D
Downey, CA 90242

Phone: 562 862 6531

Pasadena Office Address:
2023 Lincoln Ave,
Pasadena, CA 91103

Phone: 626 587 5010

Repair and Share Program RESOURCES FOR INDEPENDENCE CENTRAL VALLEY (RICV)

Repair & Share Program is both a loan and a recycle program.

The program will loan people with disabilities power wheelchairs on a temporary basis while they acquire a wheelchair of their own.

RICV is collaborating with G7 Medical Services, to fix power wheelchairs donated to the program.

To inquire about a loan of a power wheelchair, call one of the offices below.

Address:
3008 North Fresno Street
Fresno, CA 93703

Phone: 559 221 2330

Website: http://ricv.org

Satellite Offices:

710 West 18th St, #11
Merced, CA 95340
Phone: 209 383 1683

N. Santa Fe Ave,
Visalia, CA 93292
Phone: 559 622 9276

FREED Center for Independent Living (FREED)

Through its Reuse Program, FREED both loans and gives equipment to people permanently.

Their program has equipment such as –

• wheelchairs
• walkers
• crutches
• transfer benches
• shower chairs
• bedside commodes
• raised toilet seats
• hospital beds
• patient lifts

To enquire about FREED, call at one of the office phone numbers below.

Grass Valley Office
Address:
435 Sutton Way,
Grass Valley, CA 95945

Phone: 530 477 3333

Yuba City Office

Address:
1100 Butte House Rd, Suite 120
Yuba City, CA 95991

Phone: 530 742 4474

Website: http://freed.org

Communities Actively Living Independent and Free (CALIF)

CALIF reassigns assistive technology devices, under the AT Reuse Capacity Building Grant, to those who can benefit from them.

The articles reassigned include items such as –

• durable medical equipment
• communication devices
• vision products
• hearing products
• mobility products
• assistive devices

To inquire, give them a call at the phone number below.

Address:
634 South Spring Street, 2nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90014

Phone: 213 627 0477

Website: https://califilc.webs.com 

Able People Foundation

The Able People Foundation’s “Giving Program” will identify and give used medical equipment to people that are desperately in need.

The organization identifies low income elderly, and individuals living with physical limitations who are in need of medical equipment and who do not have the funding or insurance to cover it.

Items that they give include –

• ambulatory devices: walkers
• manual wheelchairs in good condition
• rehab wheelchairs in good condition
• power wheelchairs with battery charger in working condition
• electric mobility scooters in good condition with battery charger
• transfer benches

To contact the Able People Foundation, you can use the contact details below.

Address:
552A Valley Way
Milpitas, CA 95035

Phone: 408 263 8000

Website: https://ablepeoplefoundation.org

ReCares (formerly Home Cares)

ReCares is a program that collects gently used medical equipment and unused health care supplies.

The equipment is available to all, but those who need it the most will come first, such as the homeless or uninsured.

ReCares has –

• commodes
• crutches
• toilet risers
• cushions
• blood pressure monitors
• ice machines
• diabetic test equipment
• nebulizers
• walkers
• canes
• adult briefs
• shower chairs
• tub/transfer benches
• chux
• and more

You can contact them at their website or give them a call at the numbers below.

The main center is at –

2619 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94612

Phone: 510 251 2273

The website situation is a bit confusing, as they still have the website called “homecares.org” and a new one called “recares.net”, although the information is the same, and the homecares.org website has the ReCares logo at the top.

Website: http://homecares.org 

or    https://recares.net        

They also have satellite offices –

The alleyway of 63 Dorland St

Dorland St

San Francisco,

CA 94110

Phone: 415 487-54053100

No website

Marin Medical Equipment Recyclers

3100 Kerner Blvd

San Rafael,

Ca 94901

Phone: 415 388 8198

Website: https://marinmer.org/

The Marin Medical Equipment Recyclers site has –

• wheelchairs
• companion chairs
• transfer benches
• shower chairs
• orthopedic supports
• blood pressure machines
• nebulizers
• canes
• crutches
• commodes
• walkers
• grabbers
• wedge pillows
• therapeutic cushions

They also have the following medical supplies –

• diapers
• panty pads
• bed pads
• latex
• vinyl gloves
• wipes
• and more

Note

At times, due to the pandemic the Marin location has been closed at times, so do call to find out if it is open, or not, or check on either website.

Convalescent Aid Society – CAS

CAS provides the free loan of wheelchairs, and other durable medical equipment, for in-home use to residents in Pasadena and its neighboring communities.

It has a large catchment area with over 18000 items available for loan, and 13000 active clients at any one time.

The equipment loan is free and is available to anyone who lives in the CAS’s service area – see the map here.

There is also an application process, and you can find out about that here.

You borrow equipment such as  –

• hospital beds
• bed trapezes
• quad canes
• canes
• crutches
• bedside commodes
• raised toilet seats
• bath chairs
• transfer benches
• walkers
• rollators
• wheelchairs
• transport chairs

To inquire, you can phone on the phone number below or use the website.

Address:
3255 East Foothill Boulevard,
Pasadena, CA 91107

Phone: 626 793 1696

Website: https://www.convalescentaidsociety.com/

Community Access Center (CAC)

Riverside Community Access Center has an equipment reuse program with –

• wheelchairs
• ramps
• rollators
• walkers
• hearing aids
• hospital beds
• suction safety grips
• visual aids for senior low vision program

To inquire, about equipment phone the number listed below. 

Address:
6848 Magnolia Avenue, Suite 150
Riverside, CA 92506

Phone: 951 274 0358 x103

Website: https://ilcac.org

Easter Seals Superior California

Easter Seals Superior CA loans durable medical equipment to people after surgery in 13 counties – Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Yolo, and Yubasuch – the loans are indefinite and free.

Items they loan out include –

• commodes
• shower seats
• crutches
• walkers
• wheelchairs

To inquire, call the telephone number below.

Address:
3205 Hurley Way
Sacramento, CA 95864

Phone: 916 485 6711

Website: https://www.easterseals.com/superior-ca/

To see the locations and contacts of the other 6 sites across California you can look on their website here.

Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC)

SVILC loans assistive technology to people with disabilities so they may try it before they buy a similar item.

To inquire, you can contact them on the number below, or on their website.

Address:
25 N. 14th St. Suite 1000 (10th Floor)
San Jose, CA 95112

Phone: 408 894 9041 ext.204

Website: https://svilc.org

Physical Therapy For All

The majority of the organization’s rehabilitation equipment is donated to nonprofit organizations in Orange County and San Diego County.

Much of this equipment is reused and passed along free of charge to people who can’t afford to buy their own.

The equipment includes items such as –

• wheelchairs
• crutches
• canes
• walkers
• braces

Inquiries can be made at the address and phone number below, or on the website.

Address:
31022 Via Mirador
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Phone: 949 735 9955

Website: https://www.ptforall.org

Assistive Technology Loan and Reuse (ATLR)

ATEC provides loans of particular AT devices so that individuals can test them before they purchase one.

Address:
1601 E. Saint Andrew Place, Ste 105
Santa Ana, CA 92705

Phone: 714 361 6200, ext.0

Website: https://www.ocgoodwill.org/programs/

Center For Independence of Individuals with Disabilities(CID)

CID gives donated medical equipment to disabled residents of San Mateo County who are in need of the equipment.

CID gives out used durable medical equipment such as –

• stairlifts
• porch lifts
• elevators
• wheelchairs
• electric wheelchairs
• electric scooters
• walkers
• canes
• crutches
• visual aids

You can contact CID at their numbers below or on their website.

Address:
2001 Winward Way, Suite 103
San Mateo, CA 94402

Phone: 650 645 1780 x127

Website: https://cidsanmateo.org

Satellite Offices:
1590 El Camino Real, Suite C

San Bruno, CA 94066 •

Phone: 650 589 8994

Sonoma County Section on Aging

Sonoma County Section on Aging operates a medical equipment re-cycling program in Sonoma County, providing a variety of medical supplies and equipment to the community for free.

• wheelchairs
• walkers with seats
• commodes
• lightweight transport wheelchairs
• shower benches and chairs

You need to check when you can go to get equipment, but it is usually Wednesdays 11am to 2pm – the information is on the website that I have listed below.

Address:

3000 Dutton Ave,

Santa Rosa, CA 95407

Phone: 707 360 2498

Website: https://www.medicalequipmentrecyclingprogram.com/

The Durable Medical Equipment Aid Society

The Durable Medical Equipment Aid Society provides used medical equipment on a loan basis to those individuals living in Los Angeles County who lack the financial resources, or insurance coverage, to access in-home DME for their rehabilitation or recovery from illness or injury. 

The equipment available includes the following items –

• standard or bariatric manual wheelchairs
• standard or bariatric transport chairs
• front wheel walkers and rollator (seated) walkers
• standard and bariatric commodes
• raised toilet seats and risers
• wheelchair ramps
• patient lifts ie Hoyer lift type
• bath transfer benches
• shower/bath chairs
• shower or bath grab bars
• single point and quad point canes
• bed rails
• toilet rails
• crutches

Phone: 818 298 9893
Website: http://www.thedme.org

Ability Tools Device Lending and Demo Centers program

Ability Tools runs a Device Lending and Demonstration Center program across California.

12 agencies are contracted throughout California to provide “short term loans” of assistive devices which can assist people to live independently – up to 30 day loans.

The Ability Tools website page for this is here.

There are Device Lending and Demonstration Centers in the cities listed below.

San Jose

San Luis Obispo

Santa Ana

Center for Applied Rehabilitation Technology

7601 East Imperial Highway,

Downey, CA 90242

Phone: 562 401 6813

Website: https://dhs.lacounty.govrancho/

FREED Center for Independent Living

435 Sutton Way,

Grass Valley, CA 95945

Phone: 530 477 3333

Website: https://freed.org

Disabled Resources Center, Inc. (DRC)

2750 E Spring Street, Suite 100

Long Beach, CA 90806,

Phone: 562 427 1000

Website: https://drcinc.org

Resources for Independent Living (RIL)

420 I Street, Level B, Suite 3

Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone: 916 446 3074

Website: https://ril-sacremento.org

California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC)

1000 G Street, #100

Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone: 800 390 2699

Website: https://abilitytools.org

Central Coast Center for Independent Living (CCCIL)

318 Cayuga Street, Suite 208

Salinas, CA 93901

Phone: 818 757 2968 x32

Website: https://www.cccil.org

SDATC San Diego Assistive Technology Center (UCPSD)

8665 Gibbs Dr, # 100

San Diego, CA 92123

Phone: 858 278 5420 x120

Website: http://ucpdtechcenter.org

Independent Living Resource Center, San Francisco (ILRCSF)

825 Howard Street, Street Level

San Francisco, CA 94103

Phone: 415 543 6222

Website: https://www.ilrcsf.org

Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC)

25 N. 14th Street, Suite 1000

San Jose, CA 95112

Phone: 408 894 9041

Website: https://svilc.org

Central Coast Assistive Tecnology Center (CCATC)

11491 Los Osos Valley Rd #202

San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

Phone: 805 549 7420

Website: https://ccatc.org

Assistive Technology Exchnage Center (ATEC)

1221 East Dyer Rd, Suite 105

Santa Ana, CA 92705

Phone: 714 361 6200

Website: https://www.ocgoodwill.org/?s=assistive+technology+center

How to use the Ability Tools Assistive Technology Exchange

Anyone can register on the exchange and view what equipment is –

• available
• under what conditions it is available
• where it is available
• what is available in the reuse center in their particular region

To do so you go to the Ability Tools website to the page link below – 

http://abilitytools.org/services/at-exchange-transition.php

You then need to click on the link that I have shown in the image below to get to the NATADS PUBLIC ACCESS DATABASE, which is where the information is hosted.

Once there, you will see that there are two main sections –

• Device Loan – view items for loan
• Assistive Technology Reutilization

View the image below –

The Device Loan

On the left, is –

“to let potential AT users try-out devices prior to purchase, have a backup system when their device is in for repairs and/or have access to a device while waiting for their device to be delivered.”

You can browse this section to see what is available for 5 week maximum loans without joining or logging in.

You see on the image below that there are a large number of items available.

In the image above, I have the search set to all locations in California, but you can set it to your specific region and the reuse center which operates in that region.

It says on the initial database page that you can register an account and make a request for an item using the AT Exchange.

Assistive Technology Reutilization 

– this is the section on the right of the page as seen below.

Here you can see all the different equipment which available at the different sites for loan, sale, or for free – see the image below.

There are pretty much the same filters to streamline your search as in the Device Loan section above, and you can see what is available in your region by changing the filters.

The results will indicate if items are for open-ended loan, for free or if they have a price, and which center the item is currently located at.

To make a request for equipment you need to be registered for an account with the Ability Tools AT Exchange, and you can do that on the page above.

Independent medical equipment reuse programs and loan closets, in California

Santa Barbara Area

Napa County Area

Medical equipment loan closets in the San Diego Area

Cecily’s Closet – San Diego

Cecily’s closet is partnered with The UCP organization of San Diego to make equipment available to families who need it. The equipment is for children with special needs.

As equipment is donated it is posted on their Facebook page, and you can see what is available there –

https://www.facebook.com/Cecilyscloset/

The text below is taken directly from the Cecily’s closet website –

“Cecily’s Closet encourages parents to make donated equipment available to families in need directly through the Cecily’s Closet website. The process is simple:

1) Send us a picture and a description of your item to info@cecilyscloset.org or post directly to the Cecily’s Closet page on Facebook.

2) Cecily’s Closet will post the item to FaceBook.

3) Once we find an interested party we ask the interested party to pick it up directly from the donor. This enables us to scale and recycle more equipment! “

Website: https://www.cecilyscloset.org/equipment-recycling.html

Ramona Food & Clothes Closet

Here is the website page for the loan closet – https://www.foodandclothescloset.org/medical-equipment-loan-program/

The loan closet is part of the thrift store they own.

Address:

773 Main Street,

Ramona, CA 92065

Phone: 760 789 4458
The types of equipment that you can donate –

• knee braces
• ankle braces
• wrist braces
• Post-Op shoes
• Crutches
• compression socks
• neck braces
• back braces
• boot braces
• elbow braces
• canes
• shower chairs
• wheelchairs
• walkers
• handicap toilets

Medical equipment loan closets in the Los Angeles Area

Helping Hands Los Angeles Durable Medical Equipment Loan Closet

Website : https://www.helpinghandsla.org/how-we-help/care-coordination/medical-equipment/dme-loan-closet

Phone: 818 279 6580

A free community resource where seniors can borrow used medical equipment such as –

• wheelchairs
• power mobility equipment
• crutches
• canes walkers
• beds
• bathroom safety equipment

LA County, Orange County, Ventura County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County and San Diego County are all served by the loan closet.

On the website there are no listings, so you will need to give them a call to find a a loan closet near you, and to then borrow equipment.

“Depending on particular the loan closet, the equipment may be loaned out for a set period of time, for as long as the person needs it or, in some cases it may even be given away.”

The source of the text above is here –

https://www.helpinghandsla.org/how-we-help/care-coordination/medical-equipment/dme-loan-closet

Muscular Dystrophy Association

6167 Bristol PWKY Suite 325,

Culver City, CA 90230-6612

Phone: 310 390 6802

Website: https://www.mda.org/

This agency of the MDA loans out wheelchairs, and helps with repairs, for individuals with one of forty neuromuscular diseases.

Simi Valley Seventh-Day Adventist Church Community Services Center & Medical Loan Closet

1636 Sinaloa Road,

Simi Valley, CA 93065

For any questions, call – 805 433 2384

Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/simivalleyadventistcommunityservices/

The loan closet accepts donations and carries items of used medical equipment such as –

• Rollators
• wheelchairs
• walkers
• crutches
• bedside commodes
• raised toilet seats
• power wheelchairs
• patient lifts
• hospital beds
• knee braces
• ankle braces
• arm braces
• wrist braces

The loan closet also carries medical supplies such as incontinence pads

The loan closet is open on Wednesday mornings from 10 to 12 noon.

For any questions, call – 805 433 2384

______________________

The Camarillo Medical Supply Project

300 Mission Drive,

Camarillo, CA 93010

Phone: 805 491 1028

This is a loan closet which is run by the Camarillo United Methodist Church, and it is open to all members of the community and Ventura County.

Website: https://camarilloumc.org/medical-supply-project

At the bottom of the webpage above, there is an email form you can use to contact the loan closet if you don’t want to call.

You can donate all types of durable medical equipment and home health supplies –

• walkers
• wheelchairs
• knee scooters
• rollators
• crutches
• canes
• bedside commodes
• shower chairs

_______________________

The Wilshire Loan Closet or Riso Family Loan Closet  

The loan closet serves San Luis Obispo and Northern Santa Barbara Counties and offers a free community resource lending medical equipment to those in need.

The items include medical devices such as –

• crutches
• canes
• walkers
• wheelchairs
• bathroom safety equipment

The equipment is usually loaned for brief periods of time following injury or surgery.

The information on donating can be found on the website here.

____________

VNA Health Loan Closet Santa Barbara 

The VNA Health Loan Closet in Santa Barbara offers free short-term loans of medical equipment.

The loan closet has smaller items of medical equipment, but not larger pieces such as hospital beds.

VNA Health Loan Closet

360 Olive St,

Santa Barbara, CA 93103

Phone: 805 690 6235

Website : https://vna.health/services/loancloset/

Medical Equipment loan Closets in the Central Valley area

The Society for Disabilities Loan Closet 

The loan closet is a free resource lending seniors basic medical equipment.

The items accept equipment such as –

• crutches
• canes
• walkers
• wheelchairs
• trapezes
• hoyer lifts
• slide boards
• diapers
• electric scooters
• bath transfer benches
• bathroom safety equipment

You can donate gently used medical equipment.

The information on donating can be found on the website here.

Address:

The Society For disABILITIES

1129 8th St, Suite 101

Modesto, CA 95354

Phone: 209 524 3536

____________

Medical equipment loan closets in the San Jose Area

AbleCloset 

This loan closet is for equipment for children with special needs.

They have items such as –

• wheelchairs
• standers

You can find out more on their website – https://ablecloset.com/

To contact AbleCloset about borrowing equipment, use the email contact forms on this page of their website – https://ablecloset.com/contact/

____________

Avenidas Medical Equipment Loan Closet

Previously known as the Senior Coordinating Council of Palo Alto, Avenidas has a medical equipment loan closet for those who are ill, or have an injury.

The loan closet has items such as –

• walkers
• shower chairs
• canes
• other equipment

The website page for the lending closet is here – https://www.avenidas.org/medical-equipment-loan-closet-now-open/

The loan closet program is part of the Health and Wellness Program.

Address:

450 Bryant St,

Palo Alto, CA 94301

Website: https://www.avenidas.org/

Phone: 650 289 5400

Medical equipment loan closets in the San Francisco Area

A Soldier’s Dove

A Soldier’s Dove is a nonprofit organization in the Bay Area which gifts gently used medical equipment, which they sanitize, repair, to those in need – those without insurance, under-insured etc.

The type of equipment which they gift –

• wheelchairs
• walkers
• bedside commodes
• shower chairs
• wheelchair cushions
• canes
• quad canes
• other bathroom safety equipment

To find out if you qualify for help, you can use the contact info below –

You can also email at – asoldiersdove@gmail.com

Website: https://www.soldiersdove.org/

Phone: 650 590 9111

____________

NorCal SCI (Northern California Spinal Injury)

You will find used medical equipment which includes –

• power wheelchairs (no older than 3 yrs)
• manual wheelchairs
• walkers

NorCal SCI puts donated equipment in their online gallery of free equipment, here, and also distributes it to those who have requested equipment, and are in need.

To request equipment, you need to go to this page here.

You can contact NorCal SCI by email –  info@norcalsci.org

Website: https://norcalsci.org/

Phone: 408 458 9863

____________

Medical equipment loan closets in the Napa Valley Area

Share the Care

162 South Coombs St,

Napa, CA 94559

Phone: 707 492 3198

Website: https://www.sharethecarenv.org/

_____________

Medical equipment loan closets in the Sacramento Area

ALS Association Of Greater Sacramento Loan Closet

The ALS Assoc. has a loan closet in Sacramento which has equipment available to ALS patients only.

The loan closet has items such as –

• walkers
• electric wheelchairs
• manual wheelchairs
• voice amplification devices

To find out more, call –

Phone: 916 979 9265

_________________________

American Lutheran Church Medical Equipment Closet

American Lutheran Church

1114 College St,

Woodland, CA 95695

The medical equipment closet loans at equipment for free, upon request.

The closet has items such as –

• walkers
• canes
• crutches
• bedside commodes
• shower benches

To find out more, you can give them a call on –

Phone: 530 662 6338

_________________________

Davis Senior Center Medical Equipment Closet

646 A St,

Davis, CA 95616

Phone: 530 757 5696

The loan closet is for adults in need, and you do not have to be a Davis resident to borrow equipment.

You will find the following types of equipment in their closet –

• manual wheelchairs
• walkers
• canes
• bedside commodes
• toilet seat risers

_________________________

Parkinson’s Association Sacramento Loan Closet

The loan closet is for Parkinson’s Assoc. members only.

You can borrow –

• wheelchairs
• scooters
• hospital beds
• shower equipment

To find out more, call –

Phone: 916 489 0026

_________________________

St. Paul Catholic Church Medical Equipment Loan Program

8720 Florin Rd,

Sacramento, CA 95828

Phone: 916 381 5200

“The Health Ministry of St. Paul administers and manages a free medical loan program for parishioners.”

You will find the following types of medical equipment –

• wheelchairs
• walkers
• crutches
• canes
• bedside commodes
• shower equipment

Give them a call on the number above to find out more.

_________________________

Winters Community Center Medical Equipment Loan Closet

201 Railroad Ave,

Winters, CA 95694

Phone: 530 795 4824

 The Winters Community Center lends out the medical equipment to adults in need.

Donations of the following types of medical equipment are accepted –

• wheelchairs
• walkers
• toilet seat risers
• canes
• bedside commodes

To donate, give them a call on the number above.

 Lions Clubs in California

Lions clubs do often run community loan closets, so it is worth locating clubs inn your area and then asking if any of them have loan closets.

To locate a Lions club you will need to use their locator tool which you will find here.

You will come to the page in the image below.
 

Step 1

Type in the zip code, or city name and state, where you want to find Lions clubs, as I have done in the image below, select one of the areas in that zip code from the dropdown list, and you will then hit the “Search” button.

Step 2

The results will come up, and you will have the choice of either a map view, or a list view.

If you choose the map view, it will look like the image below.

Map View Step 1

The blue icons may be circular and have a number which indicates how many clubs there are in that area, so you need to keep zooming in on the map (using the “+” or “-” buttons in the bottom right-hand corner of the map), until the icons in the area you want separate out into non-circular blue pointer icons without numbers, indicating one club at the location, as in the images below.

If you are not looking in a large city, you will probably just get the pointy icons straight away.

Map View Step 2

Click on the icon at the location that interests you,  and you will see an image like the one below with some club details.

Map View Step 3

If you click on “Lions Club” at the top of the club graphic, or on the word “View” on the bottom left of the graphic, you will  come to this page below.

And then you will need to click on “contact club”  on the right-hand side of  the graphic.

You can then send them a message in the form which comes up.

There is no telephone number, it is all done by email.

If you did not click on the word “View” but instead on the word “Contact” on the graphic,

you will open an email contact form, as in the image below.

List View Step 1

If you choose to use List View instead, of Map View, to locate a club you will see the page open the list of clubs as in the image below.

Just scroll through the list of clubs until you find what you are looking for.

By the way, the list view does throw up some very odd results – I kept getting three pages of results from Sri Lanka in the middle of my clubs in Manhattan !

List View Step 2

When you find the location and a club that you want to contact, you have the three choices to get to the club info as before –

• click on the title at the top 
• click on View
• click on Contact

as in the image below, and you will get the same club pages and contact form as I indicated above.

Rotary Clubs in California

Rotary Clubs do lots of charitable work, and may run loan closets of gently used medical equipment in their local community.

If you want to see if there are any in your area, I would suggest you find a local club and then ask if they know of any Rotary Clubs with loan closets in your area.

To find a club near you is simple enough.

Here’s how you do it –

Step 1/

Use the link below to be taken to the Rotary Club locator tool – 

https://my.rotary.org/en/club-search?only_rotaract=1

You will come to the following page.

Step 2/

In the fields on the locator tool, enter –

1. The location – I entered California, but you can enter a city as well
2. For the Club Type – Select “Rotary Club”

As I did below.

Step 3/

next you click on the blue “search button” and a list of all the Rotary Clubs in the area you entered will appear on the right of the search tool, as below. 

Step/ 4

You can click on the club names in blue, which I have indicated in the image below with red arrows.

Once you have clicked on the search result a page will open, you can see the example below, with all the contacts, locations etc. for the particular Rotary Club, and you can just give a call to find out if they know of any clubs which have community loan closets with used medical equipment near to you.

How to find smaller medical equipment loan closets near me in California ?

If you are having trouble finding medical loan closets near to you, you can contact the following agencies or groups to get further information –

• your County office on Aging
• your local Area Agency on Aging
• local Senior Centers
• local churches and faith groups

Both your County office on Aging and your local Area Agency on Aging should be appraised of local loan closets, and if they are not, they should at least know someone who will be.

A lot of senior centers also run do loan closets, as do churches and faith groups, so they are also well worth talking to.

Buy used medical equipment in California

I have already listed the AT Exchange where, as well as borrowing, you can buy and find used medical equipment which is free.

Other sources for buying used medical equipment in physical stores are –

• medical supply stores
• thrift stores
• Goodwill stores
• Salvation Army stores

Online listings where you can buy used medical equipment include –

• Ebay
• Craigslist
• Used Home Medical Equipment
• Facebook Sellers Groups

Stores selling used medical equipment in the San Diego area –

Chula Vista, El Cajon, Hillcrest, Imperial Beach, Oceanside, Spring Valley and San Diego

Amvets Thrift Stores

Amvets Department of California Service Foundation has a couple of nonprofit thrift stores in the San Diego area with used medical equipment.

The Facebook page has shown the following items for sale in the store –

• adjustable/hospital bed
• bedside commode
• rollators
• walkers
• patient lift

Here is their Facebook page –

https://www.facebook.com/TeamAmvetsHilltop/

Address: 

Amvets Thrift Store

999 Cardiff St,

San Diego, CA 92114

Phone: 619 651 1650

Team Amvets Thrift Store

3441 Sutherland St #2031,

San Diego, CA 92110

Phone: 619 297 4213

DAV Thrift Stores

D.A.V.  is a nonprofit charitable organization which runs 4 thrift stores in the San Diego Area raising money from the sale of the donated goods they collect, and using it to help support disabled American veterans through a variety of programs.

They sell gently used –

• wheelchairs
• walkers
• shower chairs
• commodes
• hospital beds
• canes
• transport bench
• crutches

Website: https://www.davveteransthriftstores.com/

You can call them at 800 894 2486

You can find used medical equipment at the following 4 stores –

Spring Valley

1049 Elkelton Blvd,

Spring Valley, CA 91977

Chula Vista

L Street & Broadway E of I-5 881 Broadway,

Chula Vista, CA 91911

El Cajon

1130 E Main St,

El Cajon, CA 92021

Oceanside

Cassidy Street West of I-5 1624,

South Coast Hwy,

Oceanside, CA 92054

Desert Industries Thrift Store

You can buy used medical equipment which is gently used and clean here –

Address:

1773 Broadway,

Chula Vista, CA 991911

Phone: 619 423 2317

Eric’s Medical Supply

5251 Linda Vista Rd,

San Diego, CA 92110

https://www.ericsmedicalsupply.com

Eric’s has amongst other things –

• hospital beds
• lift chairs
• wheelchairs
• scooters
• power chairs
• walkers and rollators
• crutches
• canes
• bathroom safety products
• orthopedics

Father Joe’s Villages

Father Joe’s Villages sells donated equipment and uses the proceeds to support a variety of programs.

Father Joe’s Villages has 3 stores/donation centers and a daily auction/donation center in the San Diego area –

Daily Auctions and donation center –

815 33rd St,

San Diego, CA 92102

Imperial Beach –

Thrift Store and Donation Center

1555 Palm Ave, Suite F

San Diego, CA 92154

El Cajon –

Thrift Store and Donation Center

2325 Fletcher Parkway,

El Cajon, CA 92020

Hillcrest –

Thrift Store and Donation Center

1457 University Ave,

San Diego, CA 92103

Website: https://my.neighbor.org/take-action/donate-goods/

Greater Christ Temple Apostolic Church International Ministries Thrift Store

You will need to call to find out what equipment they accept.

Their website is here – https://www.christtemplesdchurch.org/home

Address:

309 Prescott Avenue,

El Cajon,

CA 92020

Phone: 619 937 0197

Harmony Home Medical

7640 Clairemont Mesa Blvd,

San Diego, CA 92111

https://harmonyhomemedical.com/pages/used-medical-equipment-san-diego

Sells used –

• wheelchairs
• power chairs
• hospital beds
• walkers

Hospital Direct Medical

4901 Morena Blvd. #600

San Diego, CA 92117

http://hospitaldirectmedical.com

Hospital Direct Medical refurbishes a lot of medical equipment that you would not be using in the home, but it does refurbish fully electric adjustable beds.

Mission Outreach Thrift Store

You can buy used medical equipment which is gently used and clean, including items such as –

• canes
• crutches
• walkers

Address:

3186 Adams Ave,

San Diego, CA 92116

Phone: 619 528 0026

Stores selling used medical equipment in the Long Beach area

Johns Shop-Rite Pharmacy and Medical Supply

4333 South St,

Lakewood, CA 90712

https://www.shopriterx.com/

Amvets Thrift Store

There is one Amvets nonprofit thrift store in Long Beach, one in Fresno and two more in the San Diego area.

The store sells used home medical equipment, including –

• adjustable/hospital bed
• bedside commode
• rollators
• walkers
• patient lift

Address:

33315 E South St,

Long Beach, CA 90805

Phone: 562 272 7300

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Teamamvetslongbeach/

Stores selling used medical equipment in the Los Angeles area 

Desert Industries Thrift Stores

You can buy used home medical equipment which is gently used.

Addresses:

1197 Calimesa Blvd,

Calimesa, CA 92320

Phone: 909 795 0670

16593 Valley Blvd,

Fontana, CA 92335

Phone: 909 854 3946

2720 E 11th St

Los Angeles, CA 90023

Phone: 323 268 7281

Angelus Medical and Optical

13007 S Western Ave.

Gardena, CA90249

https://angelusmedical.com/product-category/medical-equipment/care-giving-furniture-and-equipment/

Assistance League Conejo Valley Thrift Store

2853 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.,

Thousand Oaks, CA 90032

Phone: 323 2271808

All kinds of gently used equipment are sold, you may find medical equipment – you can always give a call and check to see if they have what you are looking for.

Website: https://www.assistanceleague.org/conejo-valley/donate/thrift-shop/

Home Health Depot

2059 Pacific Coast Highway,

Lomita, CA 90717

http://stores.hhd1.com/used/

Open Box Medical Supply Company

10725 San Fernando Rd

Pacoima, CA 91331

Website: https://www.openboxmedical.com/

Son Of A Vet Thrift Shop

3310 N Eastern Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90032

Phone: 323 2271808

* I found very few thrift stores in LA which sell used home medical equipment, but as there was no website for the shop I took a through their photographs on Instagram, and there was used home medical equipment such as bedside commodes and walkers. I would give them a call if you are looking for something specific.

The Durable Medical Equipment Aid Society

There is no physical office.

Website: http://www.thedme.org/equipment-for-sale

Wishing Well Medical

2314 Santa Monica Blvd

Santa Monica, CA 90404

Website: https://www.wishingwellmedicalsupply.com/used-medical-equipment-los-angeles/

West Coast Medical

9728 Lurline Ave

Chatsworth, CA 91331

Website: https://www.wcmequipment.com

Stores selling used medical equipment in the Santa Barbara area

Buellton Senior Center Thrift Store 

The Buellton Senior Center Thrift Store sells some used medical equipment.

Address:

Buellton Senior Thrift Store

56 West Hwy 246,

Buellton, CA 93427

Phone: 805 688 5073

(The store is located on the corner of Hwy 246 and Central Ave.)

Website: https://buelltonseniorcenter.org/thrift-store/

All proceeds from the store go to supporting the Meals on Wheels program. 

Destined For Grace Thrift Store

Give the store a call if you are looking for used medical equipment.

The store does not list any particular items on their site, just items they do not take, and medical equipment is not on the list, so it should be okay.

Thrift store website here.

Address:

Destined For Grace Thrift Store

596o Hollister Ave

Goleta, CA 93117

Phone: 805 619 0649

(The store is located on the corner of Hwy 246 and Central Ave.)

Stores selling used medical equipment in the San Jose area

Bradford Medical Supply

999 Lakeshire Ct,

San Jose, CA 95126

http://www.bradfordmedicalsupply.com/home.aspx

Charity Cars for Kids Thrift Store

2725 Lafayette Street,

Santa Clara, CA 95050

Phone: 408 748 0081

____________

Savers Thrift Store

You can see photographs of  used medical equipment on the website for their stores, so you don’t need to worry about that. They are part of a chain of stores.

Address:

4950 Almaden Expy #20,

San Jose, CA 95118

Website: https://www.savers.com/

____________

Unicorn Thrift Shop 

The website says to call before you take in a donation to check that they are still taking the type of item you wish to donate.

Address:

1181 Redmond Ave,

San Jose, CA 95120

Phone: 408 997 9188

Website: https://unicornthriftshop.com/

____________

Stores selling used medical equipment in the Oakland, area

ARF Thrift Store

1950 Market Street, Suite H,

Concord,

CA 94520

Phone: 925 685 0908

At present, they do not accept walkers and crutches, but they do not have a blanket policy on all types of home medical equipment. I would call them on the number above and ask if they are currently accepting any home medical equipment.

____________

Free Oakland Up

2809 MacArthur Blvd,

Oakland,

CA 94602

Website: http://freeup.us/free_oakland_up

Everyone can take one free item.

Phone – none, so contact them on the website contact page.

Open Thursday to Sunday, 12-4pm

____________

Habitat For Humanity ReStore Oakland

9235 San Leandro St,

Oakland,

CA 94603

Phone: 510 777 1447

Some stores take donations of used home medical equipment, and others don’t so just give them a call.

____________

Kingdom Builders

7954 MacArthur Blvd,

Oakland,

CA 94605

Phone: 510 878 2477

____________

Mastick Senior center thrift store

1538 St Charles St,

Alameda,

CA 94501

Phone: (510) 747-7500

If the thrift store doesn’t want your item, the senior center can probably place it with someone for you !! As always, do call first and ask.

____________

St. Vincent de Paul Society Thrift Store

9235 San Leandro St,

Oakland,

CA 94603

Phone: 510 636 4252

Some of their locations take durable medical equipment, and others don’t, so you need to call and ask if they are currently accepting your type of item.

____________

Uhuru Furniture & Collectibles

3742 Grand Ave,

Oakland,

CA 94610

Phone: 510 763 3342

You should photograph your item and send it to the store by email, and they will tell you if they are interested in your donation.

I have put a link to the page for donating that you will need to look at on their blog.

https://uhurufurniture.blogspot.com/p/donate-furniture.html

____________

Urban University/urban furniture & boutique

3237 Grand Ave,

Oakland, CA 94610

Phone: 510 835 3165

Donation page – https://urbanuniv.org/support-us/donate-goods/

On their list of items “not accepted”, they do not mention any durable medical equipment, but I would give them a call and check first.
The store supports various charitable initiatives.

Stores selling used medical equipment in the San Francisco Area and East Bay Area

Homecare medical equipment

3820 Bodega Ave,

Petaluma, CA 94952

Phone: 707 364 0305

Previously known as “Max’s Home Care” it is run by the 7-11 Lions Club.

Petaluma is north of the Bay Area, 39 miles from San Francisco on the US-101.

Reviews say that Homecare Medical Equipment sells new and used medical equipment at very low prices.

The types of medical equipment available includes –

• wheelchairs
• walkers
• beds
• grabbers
• gait belts

__________________

Little Shop of Hoarders SF

In this store, I’ve seen items such as –

• walkers
• crutches
• canes

But as with all thrift stores, do call them and make sure that they are still taking whatever type of equipment it is that you wish to donate.

Address:

2610 Bayshore Blvd,

San Francisco,

CA 94134

Phone: 415 797 8402

__________________

Moving Sale

Funky secondhand shop features a vast selection of used furniture, vintage housewares & knickknacks.

This store seems to have just about everything under the sun piled high – including walkers and crutches.

I would just give them a call to check if they are taking items, as it looks a little tight in there.

Address:

952 Howard St,

San Francisco,

CA 94103

Phone: 415 543 6833

Pick Of The litter Thrift Shop

The shop is run by the Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA.

They take a wide range of household items, so just give them a call to check that they are taking durable medical equipment at the time of your call.

The website page for the shop is here – https://phs-spca.org/pick/

Address:

1127 Chula Vista Ave,

Burlingame,

CA 94010

Phone: 650 344 1662

_________________________

Society Of St. Vincent De Paul

Has 3 thrift stores, listed below, in the East Bay Area in Contra Costa County where you will find the following used medical equipment for sale –

• wheelchairs
• walkers
• canes
• quad canes

Pittsburg

2210 Gladstone Drive,

Pittsburg, CA

Phone: 925 439 9064

Brentwood Help and Hope thrift Center

8890 Brentwood Blvd,

Brentwood, CA 94513

Phone: 925 635 3214

Pleasant Hill

2815 Contra Costas Blvd,

Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

Phone: 925 934 5063

__________________

Society Of St. Vincent De Paul

Has 3 thrift stores  in the San Francisco area, where you will find the following used medical equipment for sale –

• wheelchairs
• walkers
• canes
• quad canes

Website: https://svdpsm.org/

South San Francisco

344 Grand Ave

South San Francisco, CA 94080

Phone: 650 589 8445

San Mateo

40 North B St,

San Mateo, CA94401

Phone: 650 294 8912

Menlo Park

728A Willow Rd,

Menlo Park, CA 94025

The Local Flea

To donate your equipment to The Local Flea, you need to go through their parent company, Remoov.

You cannot just go to the store and drop items off.

The website: https://thelocalflea.com/

To donate an item, go to The Local Flea website homepage.

Click on “Sell With Us” in the top right-hand side of the page, or go to the bottom of the page to “I Have Items To Sell”, and then click on “Get Started”.

The brief version of the process –

This will load the Remoov website page, and you will be asked to submit photos of your item, and then you will be given an estimate of a pickup price, if they want your item.

If you only have a small item you are giving away, this may be over the top, but if you have a larger item, and they accept it, it may help you  out.

You may also just deal directly with Remoov, by going to their website here – https://remoovit.com/

Stores selling used medical equipment in the Sacramento area

Desert Industries Thrift Store

You can buy some gently used medical equipment which is in working order.

Address:

3000 Auburn Blvd, Suite B

Sacramento, CA 95821

Phone: 916 482 1480

Website: https://www.1usedmedicalequipment.com/

Upscale Thrift 

You can buy some gently used medical equipment which is in working order, such as –

• canes
• walkers
• wheelchairs

Address:

2590 21st St

Sacramento, CA 95818

Phone: 916 272 2820

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UpscaleThrift2590/

1 Used Medical Equipment

1985 Friendship Drive #F

El Cajon, CA 92020

Website: https://www.1usedmedicalequipment.com/

Stores selling used medical equipment in the San Luis Obispo area

North County Christian Thrift Store

On their Facebook page they say that they take donations of almost anything, so they should be selling used, some home medical equipment.

You can always give them a call to see if they have what you are looking for.

Address:

9330 El Camino Real

Atascadero, 93422

Phone: 805 466 1679

Website: https://www.facebook.com/NorthCountyChristianThriftShop/ 

Wilshire Hospice Hope Chest Thrift Store

445 Higuera St,

San Luis Obispo

Phone: 805 545 5955

Website: https://www.wilshirehcs.org/thrift-store/ 

Stores selling used medical equipment in the California Central Valley area

Amvets Thrift Store

Amvets sell all kinds of stuff, including gently used home medical equipment.

Address:

4125 E Shields Ave,

Fresno, CA93726

Phone: 559 222 2128

Community Hospice Hope Chest Thrift Stores

In the Central Valley there are 7 Community Hospice Hope Chest Thrift Stores which say that they sell all kinds of items.

The main website for Community Hospice Hope Chest Thrift Stores is –

https://hopechestthrift.org

The locations of the stores are –

Ceres

1791 Mitchell Road,

Ceres, CA 95307

Phone: 209 538 5930

Manteca

208 South Main St,

Manteca, CA 95336

Phone: 209 824 5638

Central Modesto

1241 McHenry Ave,

Modesto, CA 93530

Phone: 209 574 9475

North Modesto

4143 McHenry Ave,

Modesto, CA 95356

Phone: 209 529 3078

Oakdale

870 N. Yosemite Ave,

Oakdale, CA 95361

Phone: 209 848 0844

Stockton

6112 Pacific Ave

Stockton, CA 95207

Phone: 209 507 7777

Turlock

2745 Geer Rd

Turlock, CA 95382

Phone: 209 410 7071

Goodwill stores selling used medical equipment in California

Do note that not all Goodwill stores sell used medical equipment, but many do.

You can use the appropriate link below to a store locator for your area, and then contact the stores near you.

Goodwill donation stores locations in Southern California

If you live in Southern California, the Goodwill Southern California Organization website locator can be used to find a store in your area, which you will find here –

https://www.goodwillsocal.org/donation-center-locator/

Goodwill donation stores locations in Silicon Valley

Goodwill operates 18 stores in Santa Clara County and surrounding areas.
You can locate a site near you using their locator here –

https://goodwillsv.org/store-locations/

Goodwill store locations in the San Francisco area

On the website at the page below, there is a list of Goodwill stores in the San Francisco area (there is no locator tool this time)-

https://sfgoodwill.org/find-a-store/

Goodwill store locations in Northern California

Goodwill has 37 stores in the Sacramento area.

You can either scroll through the list on the page on the link below, or enter your address or zip code, and it will pull up the store nearest to you –
https://www.goodwillsacto.org/all-locations/

Salvation Army stores also sell used medical equipment in California

The Salvation Army accepts donations of all kinds of durable medical equipment, so you will be able to buy used medical equipment in most of their thrift stores.

To find a Salvation Army thrift store near you, go to the website page below –

https://satruck.org/familystore
 

Used medical equipment for sale, or free, online near me in California

 An easy way to find used home medical equipment for sale, and for free, in your area, is to use certain online listings and social media platforms.

A few words to this wise about using online listings, and picking up items you have found online –

1) Don’t have strangers drop off an item at your home, especially if you are caring for an elderly, vulnerable person.

Make arrangements to pick up items in public places, i.e. coffee shops or mall parking lots.

2) It is a good idea not to go alone to pick up equipment, especially if you are a woman.

4) Scamming – be aware that there are individuals who advertise items for sale or free, and in fact they are trying to get card info or have hidden costs that they try to add on.

On social media platforms like Nextdoor, OfferUp and Facebook, you can at least take a look at a user’s profile. On Nextdoor and on OfferUp there is even a star rating to give you an idea of the person’s conduct with othe.

You can find used home medical equipment for sale or free on –

• Craigslist.com
• Freecycle.org
• UsedHME.com
• Facebook Marketplace
• Nextdoor.com
• OfferUp

How to find used medical equipment for sale, or free, near me on Craigslist

To search for used medical equipment for sale, or free, on Craigslist, you do not have to join, you just contact the person with the listing.

Craigslist is available on mobile and desktop devices.

Craigslist also has a special section for garage or yard sales.

You can check the photographs that are posted for the upcoming sales. Typically, during the week people having garage sales will post their listing with lots of photos, so you can go through them to see if anything you are looking for is going to be in the sale.

You can find my illustrated guides –

(a) on how to find and buy used home medical equipment on Craigslist.com here – “How To Find And Buy Used Medical Equipment Near Me On Craigslist ?”

(b) on how to find free used home medical equipment on Craigslist.com here – “How To Get Free Medical Equipment Near Me On Craigslist ? A Quick Illustrated Guide”

How to get Free Used Medical Equipment on FreeCycle.org

Freecycle.org is a website where items of all kinds are given away for free – it is all over the world.

On the site  –

• you can see what is available in your area
• you will see groups of people who are giving items away
• you can pick groups to join in your area
• request to join the groups
• become a member of different groups
• see if the groups have any free used medical equipment you are looking for
• you can also post requests of “wanted” equipment in the groups that you have joined

You can join as many groups as will approve you as a member, and put up as many “wanted” posts for the used medical equipment as you need to.

You can find my illustrated article on how to find free used home medical equipment near you on Freecycle.org, here – “How To Get Free Medical Equipment Near Me On Freecycle.org ? A Quick Illustrated Guide”

How to find used medical equipment for sale, or free, near me on usedHME.com

Used Home Medical Equipment is a “free listing service where people can, buy, sell or donate.”

You do not have to join anything to use the service.

The tools can be used on mobile or on desktop.

The service works by zip code.

You can find offers from people local to where you live, using the tools on the site.

There is a lot of equipment which is free, as well as that which is for sale.

The website does not engage with any parties, all business is conducted between you and the person posting the listing.

You can find my illustrated guides –

(a) on how to find and buy used home medical equipment on UsedHME.com here – “How To Find And Buy Used Medical Equipment near me on UsedHME.com ?”

(b) on how to find free used home medical equipment on UsedHME.com here – “How To Get Free Medical Equipment Near Me On UsedHME.com ? A Quick Illustrated Guide”

How to find used medical equipment for sale, or free, near me on Facebook.com

You have to have a Facebook account to be able to buy or find free used medical equipment.

To open a Facebook account is easy and free – you just need an email address.

No app is required, and it is available on mobile and desktop.

With a Facebook account, you have the possibility of finding used medical equipment for sale   –

• in buying and selling groups
• on the Facebook Marketplace

Users have different tools, for selecting the areas within which they conduct their searches.

You can find my illustrated guides –

(a) on how to buy used home medical equipment on Facebook, here – “How To Find And Buy Used Medical Equipment Near Me On Facebook ? An Illustrated Guide”

(b) on how to find free used home medical equipment on Facebook, here – “How To Get Free Medical Equipment Near Me On Facebook ? A Quick Illustrated Guide”

How to find used medical equipment for sale, or free, near me on Nextdoor.com

Nextdoor.com is a social media platform, like Facebook, except that the other members are from your neighborhood, not your family or friends.

It is a neighborhood social media platform, which makes it an ideal for finding items for sale or free, locally.

There is an app for mobile, and the website for desktop.

To use Nextdoor, you will need to join, but it is free – you sign up with your email and your street address.

The platform needs your address, to slot you into the right neighborhood.

You can find my illustrated guides –

(a) on how to find and buy used medical equipment on Nextdoor.com here – “How To Find And Buy Used Medical Equipment Near Me On Nextdoor.com ?”

(b) on how to find free used home medical equipment on Nextdoor.com, here – “How To Get Free Medical Equipment Near Me On Nextdoor.com ? A Quick Illustrated Guide”

How to find used medical equipment for sale, or free near me, on OfferUp

OfferUp is a “mobile first” platform, with an app for mobile, for selling and buying used goods – it is available to use it on desktop as well.

Do check that the profiles of the people offering used medical equipment for free or for sale, have photos etc. and were not set up yesterday.

Sellers on OfferUp can also have ratings to show they are trustworthy, and not scammers, so pay attention to that.

OfferUp is free to use.

You need to download the free app to set it up on mobile.

There are different options for setting up the area in which you search for free items

There is a very good video on using OfferUp, which you can see below, and it explains everything, so I have no need to write a guide this time. Just watch the video !

Buying used medical equipment near me on eBay

eBay is another place where you can find a lot of used medical equipment; the trick is to find it near to you.

You don’t want to be paying shipping charges, as they are often almost as much as your used item, so when you set eBay to find items that are being sold near to you, you can just arrange to pick them up.

Very often the seller will list items as a free pickup, but even if they are listed as being shipped, don’t be put off, if you are polite there is usually a way to arrange a pickup, and hence why you are searching locally.

You can find my illustrated guide on how to find used home medical equipment on eBay near you – “How To Find And Buy Used Medical Equipment Near Me On eBay ?”

If you buy used medical equipment from a reuse center which has refurbished your item, you know that this has been done within certain guidelines, and that it has been sanitized and checked for safety.

A reuse center will tell you if they have refurbished and checked out a piece of equipment, or if they are simply passing it on “as is” and cannot be held responsible if you have an accident with it.

But you do need to check this with whom ever you buy any used medical equipment from, and the online platforms for listings all say that they can accept no responsibility, or liability, when you enter into a contract with a seller on their platform.