January 25, 2024
CAMROSE - Camrose and area residents who need to borrow a walker, wheelchair or other piece of medical equipment while they recover now have improved access to such supports with today's opening of a new medical equipment lending facility in the city.
Under contract with Alberta Health Services (AHS), the Battle River Lending Place Society operates the Lending Place — located at 4702 44 St. in Camrose — where residents of all ages can borrow medical equipment on a short-term basis.
“This is an exciting new partnership that will address a need for residents who require supportive equipment like walkers or wheelchairs,” says Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely. “The Lending Place will help enhance the quality of life for many people who need a bit of mobility support during their recovery, or as they reach the end of their life.”
The Lending Place is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with volunteers helping residents of all ages access the medical equipment needed to help them recover from illness, injury or surgery. Equipment to support end-of-life care is also available.
“We know there is a growing need for people to access medical mobility equipment, and this partnership is an opportunity to work together to address that need and broaden the provision of medical equipment available to the community,” says Erhard Pinno, Chairperson of the Battle River Lending Place Society.
“There has been a lot of fact-finding and visiting similar service providers in other communities to learn from their operations since we started looking at what we could do to support the need for greater access to medical equipment back in 2021. With a lot of goodwill and positive energy from everyone involved, we're ready to open the doors.”
Access to short-term mobility equipment loans has previously been coordinated through the Camrose Home Care office, where available storage space had been outstripped by the inventory of hundreds of pieces of equipment, ranging from wheelchairs and walkers to canes, commodes, IV poles, bath seats and bed rails.
“This is a wonderful example of how local partnerships can truly make a difference,” says Janis Carscadden, Director of Allied Health in the Central Zone of AHS. “Staff were doing the best they could in the space we had available, but it certainly wasn't ideal for anyone. When the opportunity to collaborate with the Battle River Lending Place Society to enhance the lending of medical equipment presented itself, we were incredibly excited - and grateful.”
Previously there have been more than 50 items loaned out by AHS monthly - a demand that is expected to continue.
Camrose and area residents in need of medical equipment can apply to the Lending Place. Referrals can also be made through AHS Home Care and through hospital or family physicians.
Volunteers are currently needed to provide office support as well as help carry out equipment maintenance. Those interested in volunteering can contact the Lending Place office.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait-times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.
