Where to Donate Medical Equipment in Metro Detroit
A hospital bed, wheelchair, or lift that's no longer needed can make a real difference to the next family. Here's where people in Detroit and the surrounding counties usually donate medical equipment — and what to do when the equipment is too big to haul yourself.
Places that take used medical equipment
Policies change often, so call ahead. Ask what they're accepting right now, whether they need it cleaned or tested, and whether they offer pickup or need you to drop it off.
Medical equipment loan closets
Community-run closets lend walkers, wheelchairs, shower chairs, and sometimes hospital beds to neighbors for free. They're often the best home for everyday mobility aids. Many are run out of churches, senior centers, or civic groups and have limited storage, so call before you bring anything.
Often a good fit for: Walkers, canes, crutches, shower chairs, transport chairs
Charities and nonprofits
Some nonprofits refurbish equipment for people who can't afford it; others ship supplies overseas. Their needs change often, and many only accept certain items or require drop-off at a warehouse during set hours.
Often a good fit for: Items on their current wish list — ask first
Veterans organizations
Some veterans posts and veterans service groups keep equipment on hand for local veterans and their families. Availability varies post by post.
Often a good fit for: Wheelchairs, walkers, lift chairs in good shape
Churches and faith communities
Congregations frequently know a member who needs exactly what you have. Even if the church doesn't store equipment, the office can often connect you directly with a family.
Often a good fit for: One-off items that can go straight to a person in need
Senior centers and community organizations
Senior centers and your local Area Agency on Aging are good switchboards — they usually know which loan closets near you are accepting what right now.
Often a good fit for: Finding the right local program fast
Equipment reuse programs
Reuse programs clean, test, and redistribute durable equipment. They tend to be selective about condition and may have waitlists for drop-off, especially for large items.
Often a good fit for: Clean, working, complete equipment
Before you donate anything
Make sure it's yours to give
Equipment provided through Medicare, insurance, hospice, or a rental company is often still owned by that supplier. If a hospice or supplier delivered it, call them — they'll schedule their own pickup.
Wipe it down and gather the pieces
Chargers, remotes, keys, rails, slings, and manuals make equipment far more useful to the next person.
Find the label
A photo of the brand and model sticker answers most of the questions any organization will ask.
Ask about pickup
Hospital beds, lift chairs, and power chairs are heavy. Many donation programs need you to deliver them, so ask before you plan around it.
Donating medical supplies instead of equipment?
Supplies — gauze, catheters, incontinence products, syringes, ostomy supplies — follow different rules than durable equipment. Most programs only accept supplies that are unopened, sealed, and not expired. Medical loan closets, free clinics, and supply-recovery nonprofits are the usual destinations.
Medications are a separate matter entirely. Use a pharmacy take-back kiosk or a community drug take-back event rather than a donation program.
What Everlift does — and doesn't — take
We focus on durable equipment we can inspect, clean, and put back into service: hospital beds, lift chairs, patient lifts, wheelchairs, power chairs, mobility scooters, and similar.
We don't accept used disposable supplies, open sterile supplies, prescription medications, or oxygen tanks unless specifically approved.
See everything we look for →When the bed is too big to drop off
If your main goal is to get usable equipment out of your home without transporting it yourself, Everlift Mobility may be able to help. We rent home medical equipment across Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne counties, and we may accept qualifying used equipment at no cost to you — some higher-value items may even qualify for a cash offer.
To be clear: Everlift Mobility is a for-profit company, not a charitable organization. Equipment provided to Everlift is not a tax-deductible charitable donation. If a charitable deduction matters to you, give your equipment to a qualified charity instead.
What happens to equipment after pickup
Depending on what it is and its condition, accepted equipment may be:
See if Everlift can pick it up
Send a few photos and the basics. We'll tell you whether we can take it, and if not, you'll know quickly so you can try one of the options above.
Please note: Everlift Mobility is a for-profit company, not a charitable organization. Equipment provided to Everlift is not a tax-deductible charitable donation.
Donating medical equipment: common questions
Where can I donate medical equipment near me?
In Metro Detroit, the usual options are medical equipment loan closets, charities and nonprofits, veterans organizations, churches, senior centers, and equipment reuse programs. Most need you to call first, and many need you to drop items off. If your priority is getting usable equipment out of the house without hauling it yourself, Everlift Mobility may be able to pick it up — but Everlift is a for-profit company, not a charity, so it isn't a charitable donation.
Where can I donate medical supplies near me?
Unopened, unexpired supplies are best given to a medical loan closet, a nonprofit supply recovery program, or a local clinic that accepts them — call first. Everlift does not accept used disposable supplies, open sterile supplies, or medications. We focus on durable equipment like beds, lifts, wheelchairs, and scooters.
Where can I donate a hospital bed?
Loan closets, churches, and some nonprofits accept hospital beds, but many can't pick up or don't have room for them — beds are heavy and bulky. Call ahead and ask whether they take beds and whether they pick up. Everlift can review photos of your bed and let you know whether we can remove it from your home, at no cost for qualifying beds.
Where can I donate a wheelchair near me?
Loan closets, veterans organizations, churches, and reuse programs all commonly accept wheelchairs in good condition. Call first, since storage is limited. If you'd rather have it picked up, Everlift may accept qualifying wheelchairs — as a for-profit company, not as a charitable donation.
Who picks up donated medical equipment?
Some charities and reuse programs offer pickup for larger items, but many rely on drop-off. Everlift Mobility may pick up qualifying equipment from homes in Metro Detroit, but Everlift is a for-profit business, so that isn't a charitable donation.
What do I do with medical equipment after someone passes away?
First, check whether a hospice, insurer, or rental company owns any of it — they'll arrange their own pickup. For equipment the family owns, a loan closet or nonprofit can help another family, or a company like Everlift can review photos and may remove qualifying items so you don't have to haul them.
Can I donate equipment to Everlift?
Everlift may accept qualifying used medical equipment at no cost to the owner. Everlift Mobility is a for-profit company and is not a charitable organization.
Is equipment given to Everlift tax deductible?
No. Equipment provided to Everlift should not be treated as a tax-deductible charitable donation. If a tax deduction matters to you, give the equipment to a qualified charitable organization instead.
What happens to equipment after pickup?
Accepted equipment is inspected, cleaned, and refurbished or repaired as needed. From there it may be rented to local patients, resold, used for parts, or recycled — whatever puts it back into service safely.
More ways we can help
Need equipment instead? Rent medical equipment in Metro Detroit →