Home Care services in East Prince recently acquired new rehabilitative equipment to add to their already extensive home loan collection.
Cindy Warren, Community Support Worker at East Prince Health Home Care services says "Our equipment pool is designed to assist individuals, through the support of rehabilitative equipment, to manage and function to the best of their abilities in their home. It helps make it more possible for residents or patients to return home when home is the most appropriate place to be."
The equipment pool was established in 1993 through the efforts of many people, including service groups from the community, staff of Wedgewood Manor, Child and Family Services, and Home Care.
"Equipment is loaned free of charge, but donations are accepted," noted Ms. Warren. "We do not fundraise for new equipment but we do continue to acquire new equipment through the Richard S. Hinton Memorial Home Care Fund." Twenty thousand dollars is donated annually from the fund which is administered by the Prince County Hospital Foundation.
Through the equipment loan program, priority is given to supporting palliative and/or high need situations. Short term loans are also encouraged. If an individual requires a wheelchair, for example, it is encouraged that people explore the purchase of such equipment. The Home Care equipment inventory is limited and staff encourage the public to consider equipment purchases if they are being used over the long term.
Volunteers play a key role in the process as they can oversee the flow of equipment which are loaned out and returned. Home Care staff continue to work with East Prince Health Volunteer Services Coordinator, Deanna Heckbert, to meet ongoing volunteer needs for the loan program.
The Equipment Pool has the following equipment available for loan: wheelchairs; lightweight folding walkers; rollator walkers; shower/commode chairs; stationary commodes; bath seats; transfer bath benches; fully electric beds; overbed tables; patient lifts; aquatech bath lift -hydraulic style; "Geo-matt" therapeutic overlays for beds; and portable ramps.
"The Home Care team has been very pleased to partner with the community in this program through ongoing random community donations and the generous support of the Hinton Memorial Fund," noted Ms. Warren.
Another successful home equipment loan program in the region is based in Tyne Valley at the Stewart Memorial Hospital. The Stewart Memorial Hospital Foundation Home Care Equipment Loan Program has been operating for several years and continues to acquire and loan out a wide selection of items to residents in the Tyne Valley area and surrounding communities. The Stewart Memorial Hospital equipment loan program is made possible through the SMH Foundation fundraising efforts.
For information on these equipment loan programs, contact Home Care Services or the Stewart Memorial Hospital.