What is DME?

05 Nov What is DME?

DME stands for: Durable Medical Equipment. If you, or a loved one, is coming home after a hospital stay or trying to maintain independence while aging in place, you may hear a lot about DME. Knowing what DME is and how it can support your recovery and daily activities is key to staying safe and comfortable in your home.

What is DME?

Durable Medical Equipment refers to medical equipment designed to support individuals with limited mobility, chronic illnesses, or other health conditions in their daily lives. It is usually recommended and/or prescribed by healthcare providers. DME includes items such as: mobility aids, bath safety equipment, transfer aids, hospital beds, and oxygen equipment.

Mobility aids: walkers, canes, crutches, wheelchairs, knee scooters, etc.

Bath safety equipment: grab bars, shower chairs, raised toilet seats, removable shower head / wand, etc.

Transfer aids: slide boards, transfer benches, gait belts, sit<>stand lifts, Hoyer lifts, etc.

Hospital beds: adjustable beds designed for home use to help with raising head of bed, foot of bed, or height of bed to help with care and transfers.

Oxygen equipment: concentrators, tanks, portable tanks, tubing and supplies for respiratory support.

Why is DME important?

DME is designed to be durable, meaning it can be used repeatedly over an extended period of time, making it an invaluable resource for people recovering from surgery, managing long-term health issues, or dealing with age-related mobility challenges. It is essential for safe recovery and independence, especially for those recently discharged from a hospital or adjusting to new mobility needs at home. Benefits include: increased safety, reduced falls, ability to maintain weight bearing or other precautions, increased independence, improved transfers, decreased pain, decreased work of movement, improved ability for caregivers to help while keeping them and you safe, faster recovery, and improved quality of life by allowing you to stay safely in your home and have more independence with mobility.

How do you safely use DME?

Usually a doctor, physical therapist, or occupational therapist will recommend the appropriate DME items you might need based on what your specific safety needs are. Once you know the correct items needed, it is important to get trained. Learning the proper techniques, adjustments, and placement / use in your home can prevent injury and help you feel more confident. For complex equipment, like hospital beds or oxygen machines, thorough training is essential. Keep your equipment in good working order. Check wheelchairs and walkers for loose screws, brake tightness, worn-out wheels or glide caps, and take a look at the seats and back rests to make sure they are securely attached. For electrical devices like oxygen concentrators, power wheelchairs, hospital beds, or lifts make sure wires, filters, and batteries are checked and replaced if needed. Check out your oxygen cords and replace those regularly.

Most DME is designed to be adjusted. Make sure your items are customized to your body and mobility needs. Adjusting the height of a walker, cane, or shower chair can make a big difference in comfort, posture, and usability. Some wheelchairs can be adjusted for seat height, leg rest length, and arm rest height. Wheelchairs come in many different sizes making it important to get those size recommendations from your healthcare provider. If something doesn’t feel right, reach out to your healthcare provider or DME supplier for guidance.

Be consistent. Incorporate DME into your daily routine so it becomes second nature. Use your grab bars every time you get in and out of the tub or use your walker every time you move around your house (unless you have been ok’d by your physical therapist to go household distances without it). Consistency helps build good habits that support your safety and independence.

Better safe than sorry, don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare providers if you have a question about your DME. My Rehab Answers is available via video, phone call, or email to answer any questions you might have about the safe use of your DME.

Where to find DME?

There are many different ways to get DME. Generally, when you are discharged from the hospital or a rehab facility, your therapists will order DME for you. These will come from a DME supplier and be billed to insurance. Medicare will cover some DME needs, so check with your healthcare provider about what is covered and what is not covered under your plan. Mobility aids such as walkers, canes, slideboards, and wheelchairs will be sent to the hospital or rehab facility so that you will have a chance to get your equipment adjusted prior to discharge and have it available on the trip home. Other, bigger, items such as hospital beds or oxygen concentrators will be delivered directly to your home. Amazon has a good amount of DME available for delivery either to the rehab facility or to home and you can easily check and compare prices. There are also local loan closets that will loan out equipment for short or long term, and usually for free or a small donation. These tend to be housed in churches or other charitable organizations. You can find resources online through websites like your local council on aging, through the rehab facility, or pages like gotDME?. You might also be able to find DME at garage sales, estate sales, or at thrift stores. If you go this route, make sure the items are in good working order and are sized for your needs. Check out the resource page from My Rehab Answers for links to resources to find DME suppliers and loan closets, as well as some links to helpful Amazon products.

Understanding and using DME is an important step for anyone transitioning home after hospitalization or adjusting to life with mobility challenges. By taking the time to learn about these essential items and what they can do for you, you can create a safety and more comfortable home environment that supports your independence. With the right DME, you can focus on living a fulfilling life, regardless of any physical limitations.