Increasing Donations of Targeted Equipment to Your Reuse Program - F0502 Patty Black Moore & Sheila Simmons Assistive Technology for Kansans University of Kansas

Today’s roadmap… ATK and Kansas Reuse Program Review inventory demand Develop relationships to increase access to high demand, high cost and lightly used DME & AT 10 strategies that work Sample materials

Assistive Technology for Kansans (ATK) ATK provides: information device demonstration assessment training help identifying public and private funds for AT as well as: AT equipment loan bank Kansas AgrAbility KEE - the Kansas reuse program

KEE - Kansas Reuse Program

Why increase inventory? Since 2003, over 3,100 pieces of durable medical equipment donated valued at $3,359,75 80% reconditioned and reassigned 2,446 customers received equipment 272 customer requests unmet

More requests than inventory In the first quarter of the new fiscal year Donations: 171 Reassignments: 161 Requests: 302

What equipment do customers most request? Shower chair Manual wheelchair Powered wheelchair Scooter Walker with seat and handbrake Bariatric equipment PDA, Smartphone Handheld GPS device

Develop strategies to increase access to targeted equipment High demand, lightly used DME High cost DME & AT including bariatric equipment High cost and lightly used DME & AT

Increase access to high demand, lightly used DME Such as: manual wheelchairs, shower chairs, patient lifts and walkers with seats and brakes Valuable to a reuse program Cuts turnaround time Increases customer satisfaction

Identify potential partners Human resources staff Volunteer organizations Civic organizations Medical professionals specializing in joint replacement, orthopedic and sports medicine

Strategy: Meet new people Attended a worker’s compensation seminar Collected business cards Follow up phone calls resulted in Reuse article in statewide newsletter Reuse brochures distributed to Kansas Self- Insurers Association members and others

Strategy: Make a “cold call” “Cold call” to large American Red Cross chapter office Connected with interested Family Services manager Results included program brochures in lobby and a commitment to inform customers about reuse program

Strategy: Ask for a referral Ask new partner for a referral to sister organization Results: Reuse program brochures are available in lobby of a blood donation services office in same city Invited to participate in annual major outdoor event

Informational materials developed Developed informational PowerPoint™ presentation Effective Strategies to Encourage Equipment Donations

Customers benefit A young man who was involved in a motorcycle accident received a commode and a bath bench that made it possible for him to be discharged from the hospital A woman received a patient lift that enabled her husband to help her and they continue to live in their own home

Strategies targeting high cost DME & AT Power wheelchairs, scooters and bariatric equipment are essential to maintain mobility and increase independence Expensive electronic AT including environmental control units, PDAs and GPS devices can be of great use to a person with mobility concerns or cognitive, organizational or learning disabilities

Identify potential partners Businesses such as rural farm cooperatives and private precision farming companies Weight loss clinics Leukemia, arthritis, spinal cord injury, diabetes or other consumer support groups

Strategy: Tap your friends We contacted regional farm publication editor acquainted with program staff and program’s reputation Editor provided introduction to precision farming business owner Resulting in a donation of used GPS technology

Strategy: Use the Internet We wanted to contact a weight loss clinic about providing reuse information to customers of opportunity to donate unneeded bariatric equipment Internet search resulted in public seminar information Staff attended seminar, provided clinic staff with reuse program information Results: Reuse brochures are available to clinic patients in a major metropolitan area

Strategy: Attend statewide events We attended a statewide recycling conference Networked with a company who collects cell phones for charity Resulted in a donation of used cell phones with PDA capability

Informational materials developed Information card: What Should You Do With Old PDAs and GPS Devices? PowerPoint presentation: The Benefits of Organizational and Way Finding Technology

Customers benefit A man received a power chair that gives him mobility and ultimately helped him find employment A college student finds a new level of independence as she manages her own calendar, appointments and schedule with her PDA

Increase access to high cost and lightly used DME & AT DME and AT that is both high cost and lightly used increases the value of a reuse program to its customers by making expensive, nearly new equipment available to people who otherwise could not afford it Encouraging donations from people who are dealing with changing health conditions and loss requires a tactful approach

Identify potential partners Funeral home directors Kansas Department of Heath and Environment Community college Community blood bank Hospice Senior centers Independent living centers Reuse programs

Strategy: Start local Contacted local funeral home director Resulting in the Kansas Funeral Directors Association support of reuse program with a reuse article in statewide journal Distribution of 2000 reuse program brochures to KFDA members across Kansas

Training materialsdeveloped Consulted with staff at a community college Mortuary Science Program Developed materials to prepare staff and volunteers to Comfortably interact with people in crisis Physically remove the equipment without family assistance Respond to emotionally charged situations

Customers benefit A funeral home director in Osawatomie called the NE AT Access Site with a donation of a scooter. DME provider partner picked up, refurbished and delivered the scooter to a retired man who now has increased access to his community A woman received a patient bed that reduces the swelling in her legs, enabling her to walk.

Strategy: Schedule follow-up contact Follow up successful partnership activities On the one year anniversary of the first KFDA article, we submitted a follow-up article resulting in the association director assuring active promotion at annual fall meeting

Strategy: Accept invitations Met with KDHE to discuss recycling Invited to participate in Earth Day Festival in Topeka Received an invitation to set up booth at a community blood drive Resulting in increased donations in the immediate area in the following weeks

Strategy: Develop relationships Regional Donation Drives Opportunity to: increase inventory raise public recognition of reuse program recruit volunteers create new partnerships Publicity can be modified for each city Develop long-term relationships

Event planning guide developed Developed step-by-step planner for donation drive events

10 strategies that work Meet new people Make a “cold call” Ask for a referral Tap your friends Use the Internet Attend statewide events Start local Schedule follow-up contact Accept invitations Develop relationships

Increased public awareness = increased donations Avoid that “V8” moment Inform the public, your friends, neighbors, and co- workers, statewide organizations, support groups, businesses and your state legislature Tell your story: what you do, why you do it and how well you do it Think PR

Questions?

For more information Contact: Patty Black Moore, Sheila Simmons, Assistive Technology for Kansans

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