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Making an Equipment Request
Last updated on Dec 7th, 2010
EQUIPMENT FUNDING REQUESTS
As a client, you do not generally make an equipment request directly to us. If you do, we will contact you and see if we can't refer you back to your Extra Mural contact, Occupational therapist or Respiratory therapist.
We generally need the recommendation/prescription for the equipment to come from someone in health care. These people also know where equipment may already be available. For instance in many cases, Easter Seals (which houses/administers our equipment) may have something available in stock that will suit the clients' need. If you have a health card, that gives EMP another option for equipment. Once in a while Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation may have a piece of equipment available, especially respiratory equipment.
When those options have been explored and the piece of equipment is still not available, that's where we can help.
A request is very easy to make. Your health professional will write us a quick note, and fax it or email it, along with one or two quotes for equipment, to us. The note/email usually just explains what you need and how this will benefit you. They may also recommend whether this item should be rented or purchased based on whether it can be recycled in the future.
If you have a direct question about a piece of equipment, please don't hesitate to email us with your question or concern. We can discuss it with your health professional on your behalf, and help to initiate the process.
All items purchased by the ALS Society of New Brunswick remain the property of the ALS Society and when a client no longer requires the equipment, it must be recycled through our equipment bank at Easter Seals NB.
We are usually able to acknowledge and respond to client requests within 10 days, depending on the cost and nature of the equipment.
What type of equipment is available?:
That is a difficult question to answer. There are hundreds of pieces of equipment available through our equipment program with Easter Seals New Brunswick. We are managing & fulfilling requests on daily basis, so availability is constantly in flux. While not a comprehensive list, the following should give you some idea of the type of items available...
- Bathroom Products (raised toilet seats, grab bars, transfer benches, shower chairs)
- Bedroom Assistance (transfer poles, hospital beds, commodes, ceiling lifts)
- Mobility Assistance (walkers, lift chairs, wheelchairs, custom orthotics)
- Respiratory Care Equipment (bi-pap, cough assist, suction machines, lung volume recruitment devices.)
- Communication Assistance (ergonomic armrests, computer mouse, other technololgy)
If you are unsure if something is available through our equipment funding program, please do not hesitate to call us directly for more information or email carol@alsnb.ca.
The ALS Society of New Brunswick does not fund home renovations. To that end, we are also unable to fund permanent ramps, or interior stairlifts. Funding for exterior porchlifts is available on a case by case basis for up to 50% of the cost of the unit (excluding installation).
Please note:
You may also receive periodic phone calls from Easter Seals NB, asking for the current status of the equipment (either received from Easter Seals or purchased by ALSNB). Typical questions they ask include: Is it still in use? Is it in need of replacement/repair? Is there any changes to your equipment needs that we should be aware of?
ALSNB appreciates the time you take to answer these questions so that we may better manage our equipment requests and needs.
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