Clarkson University’s Lewis School of Health Sciences is offering the community access to medical resources through its durable medical equipment loan closet.
The loan closet, located in the occupational therapy department at Clarkson Hall on Clarkson’s downtown Potsdam campus, is available to any member of the community who may need to borrow equipment. Reliance on donated items means the loan closet’s inventory can fluctuate, but currently, resources available include walkers, rolling walkers, raised toilet seats, canes, transport wheelchairs, knee scooters, bed and floor alarms, positioning cushions, and shower benches.
“Our objectives have really been two-fold: to keep usable equipment from ending up in the landfill before its useful life is over and to provide a free loan resource to members of the wider community,” said Beth Randall, Clinical Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy at Clarkson and Director of the Assistive Technology Resource and Education Center. “This benefits individuals who may not be able to afford this equipment outside of our program as well as those who may only experience a short-term need for a piece of equipment, for example, following an injury or surgery. It also benefits individuals seeking to donate equipment they or their family members no longer need.”
The loan closet is part of the Assistive Technology Resource and Education Center (ATREC), which was started by now-retired Director of Assistive Technology & Education Lisa Tebo and is now overseen by Randall. Several student employees from the Occupational Therapy department work in the ATREC and help coordinate loans and maintain equipment.
The loan closet inventory is all sourced from community donations. Donated items are inspected, cleaned, and repaired if needed before being added to our inventory. Currently, coordinators are looking for donations of pediatric equipment and adult wheelchairs, which are in high demand.
Individuals looking to borrow or donate equipment can reach out to ATREC at atrec@clarkson.edu or 315-268-5981. There is no cost to borrow items and borrowers only have to fill out a short form with contact information and a few details about the user of the device(s) being borrowed.