oday's older health care consumers are facing dilemmas which are more perplexing than ever before. Limited by fixed incomes, these patients struggle to stretch their health care dollar to meet the demands of increasing personal health problems, escalating costs and sparse public and private health coverage. As a result, there is a growing demand for alternative ways of meeting health care needs within the financial means of the average patient. This often becomes acutely apparent to patients who encounter a need for durable medical equipment. Patients and families facing the expense of purchasing new equipment frequently pose questions such as: "Can this be purchased as a used item anywhere?", "Does anybody lend or donate this type of item?", and "We may only need this for a short while; will I be able to resell it after we no longer need it?". The Carle Arbours Equipment Referral Network was formed in response to these questions.

The Carle Arbours Equipment Referral Network (CAERN) is a free registry of individuals wishing to sell, purchase, borrow, loan or donate used medical equipment. Operated through the therapy services department at Carle Arbours, the goal of the CAERN is to assist senior patients in the greater Central Illinois area with obtaining the equipment they need at costs that are within their financial means. Any durable medical equipment usable by more than one patient may by registered with CAERN. This most commonly includes, but is not restricted to: bedside commodes, canes, crutches, elevated toilet seats, shower seats/tub transfer benches, toilet rails, walkers, wheelchairs.

Buyers and sellers registered with the CAERN are computer-matched by equipment type, and the potential buyer is provided with the information needed to contact the seller. Once the needs of the potential buyer are matched with the offerings of a potential seller, the two parties are free to conduct transactions according to the terms of their own choosing. The CAERN is strictly a referral system, and does not take part in the negotiating of prices or sales in any way. The responsibility for inspecting equipment for safety and appropriateness remains with the buyer and seller, and should be based on consultation with the individuals patient's health care provider.

To Register a piece of equipment for purchase, sale, borrow, loan or donation, press here and complete the CAERN Registration Form.