Examples of inventoried durable medical equipment available to borrow from Valley Charities.
Valley Charities Durable Medical Equipment Lending Program
Contributed by Randi Perlman
The financial burden associated with any type of illness, injury or medical situation can be astronomical these days. Once you’ve accounted for physician visits, laboratory testing (often leading to more doctor visits), prescription medications, plus travel to and from all the above, you may suddenly find yourself in need of expensive medical equipment to help navigate through your convalescence. Did you know there is a wonderful service right here in the Valley that can alleviate the cost of acquiring that type of equipment?
Since 1956, Valley Charities, Inc. (VCI) has been providing durable medical equipment to community members in need at NO COST! Through its Durable Medical Equipment Lending Program (DMELP), Valley residents can find a wide range of equipment to meet many medical needs. To better serve the community as the Valley continues to grow, DMELP, formerly housed within turn-A-leaf Thrift Store, opened its own separate location near the Wasilla Lowe’s in January 2023. The new location is packed with over 1400 items in inventory, neatly stacked and arranged in just 1400 square feet of space.
DMELP is not a rental program; its inventoried equipment is provided on loan and may be borrowed for up to six months. After six months, upon request, an additional six-month extension can be arranged. Whether for yourself, a family member, a friend, or someone you care for, adult or child, and whether you have had an accident, surgery, illness, or other physical needs, VCI’s DMELP is there to support your recovery. Some examples of durable medical equipment in inventory are canes, crutches, commodes, and wheelchairs, but there are many more items on hand.
This program is only available to Mat-Su Valley residents, who can request and reserve equipment by calling 907-521-1908 or visiting www.valleycharities.org. Once reserved, equipment will be held for up to 24 hours. The current location is 2521 E Mountain Village Drive, Suite D1, in Wasilla, between the UPS Store and the Yarn Shop and behind Brown Jug. Business hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10am to 4pm.
Randy Miller has been managing VCI’s DMELP services since September of 2022. Miller has lots of life experience at various endeavors, including as a 20-year army veteran. He began working for VCI as a rent relief specialist during the Covid-19 pandemic through Alaska Housing Corp. VCI Executive Director John Rozzi thought he’d make a good manager for the long-standing durable medical equipment lending program, and his hunch was correct! Since becoming manager, Miller has made some significant improvements to the program such as implementing Standard Operating Procedures, entering all inventory and client information into a database that assigns item bar codes and alerts when item returns are due, and overseeing the installation and maintenance of a HUBSCRUB machine to wash and disinfect many items quickly & efficiently. Miller also provides information and outreach on DMELP to some of the farther reaches of the Mat-Su Borough by attending multiple Alaska Health Fairs. On the second and fourth Friday of each month, he visits the Sunshine Clinics in Talkeetna and Willow and Mat-Su Health Services in Big Lake for one hour each so folks in those areas can arrange for equipment pick up and drop off. The program serves residents from as far away as Chickaloon and Sutton on one end, and through Trapper Creek on the other.
DMELP is funded through the generosity of the Mat-Su Health Foundation, the Alaska Community Foundation with the purchase of the HUBSCRUB, the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority which funded multiple items in the program, and generous community donations of both dollars and equipment. Donated equipment not used in DMELP is then donated to a program or family that can use it. An added benefit of ensuring donations find a new home is keeping those items out of the landfill and the waste stream. DMELP partners in varied ways with health professionals, Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, medical suppliers, civic clubs, Austin’s Compassion Exchange (ACE Lending), Access Alaska (Anchorage), community councils, and local businesses who showcase flyers to help get the word out. DMELP brings VCI’s mission to life: ‘to enhance our community’s resources, health and social well-being through our work and partnerships’.
Valley Charities, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing life-changing programs and opportunities to Valley residents. VCI has been quietly serving the Mat-Su Borough for over 60 years. Through their Housing Assistance Partnership Program, Mat-Su Reentry Program, Medical Equipment Lending Program, and turn-A-leaf Thrift Store, alongside many strong community partnerships, VCI serves the needs of Valley residents and helps them thrive. These compassionate programs encompass and fulfill VCI’s vision to make the Mat-Su Valley a healthier and happier place to reside for everyone. For more information, visit www.valleycharities.org or call 907-376-5740.