Matching Consumers’ Needs with Available AT and DME

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

Our Consumers: Live in rural areas Have limited income and means of transportation Sometimes we are unable to deal directly with the consumer

Our Resources: Small DME room Staff Time 20% Some community donations Our Limitations

Requests and Matches August 07 through August 09 We have handled requests for more than 170 items We have distributed more than 90 items to our consumers

ITEM# REQUESTED Grab bars34 Manual wheelchairs18 Reclining lift chairs14 Power chairs11 Transfer tub benches11 Computer systems9 Hand held showers7 Most Popular Items Requested

Reasons Requests Are Not Filled Consumers do not follow through with paperwork Consumers have no transportation to pick items up from us

Consumer wants items that have not been donated

Expertise Required

The Match Game What the consumer wants What’s available

Mobility or

Sensory “What’s out there?”

“Now, how do I get in the tub?” Self Care

And Sometimes We Can’t Make It Work

A Few Necessary Procedures Easily understood questions and paperwork for consumer that give clear picture of need Liability forms Process Check List

Sample Progress Check List COMPLETEDY CONSUMERConsumer A ITEMPower chair DETAILSControls on left PAPERWORK SENT7/2/09 PAPERWORK RCD7/10/09 CONTRIBUTION $ RCD$45 BATTERY $ RECEIVED$125 ORDERED7/11/09 ITEM RECEIVED8/5/09 NOTIFIED8/6/09 PICKED UP8/7/09 LIABILITY FAXED8/10/09 NOTESInactivated

Where Do We Go from Here? More visits to consumers in their home PLUS Better tracking of equipment donations PLUS Simplified paperwork PLUS More storage space and volunteers PLUS More marketing and fundraising EQUALS

Consumers Living Independently Through AT and DME

The Beginning