{"id":11553,"date":"2021-09-01T16:49:25","date_gmt":"2021-09-01T23:49:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=11553"},"modified":"2021-09-02T16:53:59","modified_gmt":"2021-09-02T23:53:59","slug":"borrowing-medical-basics-from-vnas-health-loan-closet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=11553","title":{"rendered":"Borrowing Medical Basics from VNA’s Health Loan Closet"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>The concept of helping patients get the services,\u00a0assistance, and equipment they need during an illness\u00a0or injury is so simple. But as anyone who\u2019s ever\u00a0navigated our health-care system can tell you, the\u00a0reality can be incredibly complex and frustrating.<\/p>\n

The Loan Closet \u2014 owned and operated by VNA Health<\/strong>\u00a0(vna.health<\/a>) and serving Santa Barbara County since 1908\u00a0\u2014 is the exact opposite of most health-care hassles. Staffed
\nby David Moorman and Megan Cameron, with support\u00a0from VNA\u2019s COO Dusty Keegan and administrative assistant\u00a0Susi Torres-Cruz, this warm and welcoming crew\u00a0serves more than 4,000 residents\u00a0each year with free short-term\u00a0loans of basic medical equipment\u00a0such as wheelchairs, crutches,\u00a0knee scooters, walkers, shower\u00a0seats, and more.<\/p>\n

While appointments are preferred,\u00a0Moorman explained, \u201cWe\u00a0welcome walk-ins. You never
\nknow when trauma is going to\u00a0occur. We never turn anyone\u00a0away. If someone shows up with\u00a0a broken ankle, we try to help\u00a0them. We take care of everyone.\u00a0The benefit of an appointment is\u00a0that we can make sure we have the\u00a0equipment that they\u2019re looking for
\nand have it ready for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Getting things ready includes\u00a0sanitizing and repairing an impressive array of equipment\u00a0to make sure it\u2019s all in tip-top shape to be ready to loan out.\u00a0\u201cWe really try to make sure that when people get equipment\u00a0that it\u2019s up to snuff,\u201d said Moorman, who does most of the
\nrepairs himself. \u201cThey\u2019re not just feeling like they\u2019re coming\u00a0down here and getting something for free and it\u2019s junky. We\u00a0actually take time and put a lot of money into our supplies\u00a0to make sure that the things are refurbished.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fitting the equipment and training people on how to use\u00a0it \u2014 including sending them home with written instructions\u00a0\u2014 is also an important part of the service, which is
\ncompletely supported through private donations and contributions.<\/p>\n

In fact, people don\u2019t always know exactly what\u00a0they need until they come in, like understanding the difference\u00a0between wheelchairs and transport chairs. \u201cYou can
\nbe pushed in either, but wheelchairs are for people that are\u00a0strong enough to be independently mobile and are much\u00a0heavier to move in and out of cars,\u201d said Cameron. \u201cIt\u2019s 20\u00a0pounds versus 50 pounds.\u201d<\/p>\n

That means asking the right questions. \u201cThere\u2019s not one\u00a0cookie-cutter answer for everyone, so we try to nail that\u00a0down and get to the bottom of it,\u201d said Moorman. Added
\nCameron, \u201cOften we have them try out what\u2019s going to work\u00a0at home, and they can see all the different shower chairs and\u00a0benches and work with the walker and be able to figure out\u00a0what really works before they purchase it later on.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a free community service, the Loan Closet is open for\u00a0anyone. \u201cWe get Hope Ranch; we get Montecito; we get the\u00a0Eastside; we get the Westside; we get the entire community,\u201d\u00a0said Moorman. \u201cWe try to take care of everyone to the best\u00a0of our ability.\u201d
\nSee vna.health<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Fun Facts about the\u00a0Loan Closet<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most commonly borrowed items:\u00a0<\/strong>commodes, shower seats, and walkers<\/p>\n

Most surprisingly useful items:\u00a0<\/strong>grabbers, sock aids, and leg lifters<\/p>\n

Hardest to come by and often\u00a0requested item:<\/strong> \u201cBed rails are gold.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unusual items:<\/strong> Hoyer Lifts, which help those with\u00a0mobility challenges get out of bed or the bath without\u00a0the assistance of another person; and U-Step\u00a0walking stabilizers, which are designed to prevent\u00a0falls for neurological conditions like Parkinson\u2019s<\/p>\n

Surprising item that\u2019s always needed:\u00a0<\/strong>tennis balls, to put on the bottoms of walkers.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> Originally published in The Santa Barbara Independent<\/a> on August 12, 2021. Cover photo by Erick Madrid. To read this special section as it originally appeared in print, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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