The cost of a hospital-style bed can be prohibitive for many people, even if they just want to rent one. In fact, any medical equipment can put a dent in a family budget.
HELP Adult Services is there to make that burden a little less onerous for people who don't have health insurance or who have a high insurance deductible. HELP stands for Health and Medical Equipment Loan Program.
The nonprofit held an open house Thursday afternoon in its new location on the second floor of the Center Mall, 42nd and Center Streets. The event attracted clients and prospective clients, neighbors in the mall and elected officials from the Omaha-Council Bluffs area, including Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle and U.S. Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb.
Penny Koenig, executive director of HELP, said the organization has two primary objectives:
» Provide quality equipment for low rental fees.
» Provide a respite companionship program, which supplies volunteers to give caregivers needed support and relief.
There are no income restrictions on either service.
The showroom at the HELP offices has everything from hospital beds, scooters and wheelchairs to canes, crutches, two-way radios and nutritional supplements. Volunteers are trained for their respite care, have background checks and are carefully matched to clients, Koenig said.
HELP, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary next year, loans about 9,000 pieces of equipment and serves between 5,000 and 6,000 people a year, Koenig said.
Contact the writer:
402-444-1067, carol.bicak@owh.com
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