Matching Consumers’ Needs with Available AT and DME

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

Sometimes we are unable to deal directly with the consumer 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: Our Limitations Staff Time 20% Some community donations Small DME room Staff Time 20%

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

Most Popular Items Requested Grab bars 34 Manual wheelchairs 18 Reclining lift chairs 14 Power chairs 11 Transfer tub benches Computer systems 9 Hand held showers 7

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 “Now, how do I get in the tub?”

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 COMPLETED Y CONSUMER Consumer A ITEM Power chair DETAILS Controls on left PAPERWORK SENT 7/2/09 PAPERWORK RCD 7/10/09 CONTRIBUTION $ RCD $45 BATTERY $ RECEIVED $125 ORDERED 7/11/09 ITEM RECEIVED 8/5/09 NOTIFIED 8/6/09 PICKED UP 8/7/09 LIABILITY FAXED 8/10/09 NOTES Inactivated Sample Progress Check List

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

Consumers Living Independently Through AT and DME

The Beginning