Independent Perspective 1738 with Niccanda Watkins on the Durable Medical Equipment Loan Closet.

Host:  Welcome to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL). Our guest today is Niccanda Watkins, Independent Living Specialist who works on the Loan Closet at WNYIL and I’m your host Ernie Churchwell. Welcome to the program Niccanda.

Guest:  Hello, thank you.

Host:  It's our pleasure to have you.

Guest:  My pleasure to be here.

Host:  I suspect there are a lot of people in the community that don't realize that the agency has a durable medical equipment loan closet to help people. First are there other any particular requirements in terms of income level, location of residence or whatnot that need to be in place for people to use the loan closet?

Guest:  So, income level is not a factor. We lend these items, hence loan closet. We let people borrow them for 90 days depending on what item they need, and we have it available. If they need an extension after the 90 days, they would reach out to myself or whoever else is working on the Loan Closet for an extension and we just give them an additional 90 days.

Host:  And for people that take advantage of the Loan Closet, there are no charges are there?

Guest:  That is correct. It's free.

Host:  already. And just saying durable medical equipment loan closet, it doesn't necessarily give people an idea of the scope of what is available. Could you list off some of the types of equipment?

Guest:  So we have walkers, wheelchairs, depending on our true inventory because those items do go really quick because those are our biggest needs so they tend to go out. There can be the occasional brief canes, we have transfer benches for the shower, and it's a lot of miscellaneous items. A lot of portable toilets, toilet safety bars, it goes on but if people are looking for something specific, they will need to call us direct to see if we actually have that item available.

Host:  Are some of them items that would be considered assistive equipment such as talking clocks for people with visual impairment, or things of that nature?

Guest:  That's a good question, but we don't have any of those in our inventory.

Host:  All right. And would it be safe to assume that because of the available storage, you probably don't have things like hospital beds that are oversized?

Guest:  So, at one point they did have hospital beds, I'm not sure if they have them anymore because a lot of it depends on transportation. There's only certain items that Independence Express can deliver unless that person was able to get it on their own but I don't believe we have hospital beds at the moment.

Host:  And to explain to our listeners, Independence Express is our van transportation system. So, I guess for home delivery once an arrangement has been made, they are the people that can be counted on to bring the equipment to people's homes. But as I understand it, the drivers are not permitted to go into the homes. Individuals must meet them at the door or the curb, right?

Guest:  That's correct. It is because it is a no contact delivery. Sometimes consumers will have instructions on where they would like the item delivered in the event that they're not home. Say for example, they leave the garage door open, but the drivers do not enter the home so we always just warn people to wear a mask just so they can come collect it because they don't go upstairs or inside.

Host:  I'm sure that like all services of the sort, there must be a set procedure for how people can request an item. What would they do?

Guest:  First things first, any requests must go through Intake. I do typically get calls coming directly to me, but I don't that's not the correct process. It has to be assigned through our supervisor. But Intake is the first step and then once it is assigned, then we actually see if that item is available and go from there. We will contact that person and set everything up.

Host:  We're running low on time. Can you tell us how they contact the Intake department?

Guest:  So, they would dial our main number 716-836-0822 and they can ask the receptionist for Intake.

Host:  Wonderful. Well, thank you so much for being with us Niccanda. It’s been our pleasure and you've given some valuable information to our listeners. You have a great day.

Guest:  Thank you. You too.

Host:  You've been listening to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of WNYIL. Our guest today has been Niccanda Watkins, Independent Living Specialist who works with the Loan Closet ay WNYIL and I've been your host Ernie church.