As people age, most of them develop various kinds of health issues and physical conditions. That is why older adults often need the help of special equipment to remain active and healthy. Durable medical equipment is a type of medical aid that covers many items. Durable medical equipment can boost the mobility of people suffering from mobility issues after an operation or illness. DME also covers health safety devices that help older people to avoid accidents and injuries at home. You can get durable medical equipment from several sources; most of the time, help is available in exchange for all or some of the costs.
What is durable medical equipment?
As we have mentioned earlier, durable medical equipment is a broad category of medical supplies. It includes personal medical appliances, safety devices, and various therapy and rehabilitation appliances. Generally, DME can be divided into three broad categories. They are as follows.
Safety Devices
Several senior citizens use various safety devices in their homes to reduce the chances of accidents. The most common safety devices that people generally use are guardrails and shower chairs. Bumpers and lift bars are also used to avoid sharp edges. Lifeline alert systems and medical call buttons are also considered safety devices. Nowadays, door and window alarms and cabinet safety locks for seniors with dementia or Alzheimer's are considered durable medical equipment. Additionally, orthopedic braces and some wearable devices mainly used for preventing injury also fall into this category.
Mobility Aids
As people age, most of them develop severe mode mobility issues. Several types of durable medical equipment can help senior citizens stay active and lead independent lives. The devices that fall under this category are simple and are used only occasionally. For example, walking canes and mechanical reaching aids fall under this category. Also, scooters, back, leg braces, wheelchairs, Elevators, and even Elevators can be considered mobility waste durable equipment.
Therapy Equipment
Some durable mobility equipment is created to help senior citizens recover from injuries or other medical conditions. Orthopedic shoes, dentures, and eyeglasses fall into this category. Some exercise tools and prosthetic devices can also be considered durable mobility equipment. An adjustable bed can be regarded as DME equipment if it helps patients manage chronic conditions like congestive heart failure or sleep apnea.
Which Devices Are Not Durable Medical Equipment?
Not every older adult requiring mobility, safety, or therapy is considered durable medical equipment. For example, gauze bandages do not fall under this category and are considered disposable supplies. Also, sanitary pads, gloves, and bed linens are considered disposable materials. Single-use items like lancets for transdermal patches, diabetes test strips, and contact lenses do not fall under this category. Blood sugar monitors and eyeglasses are considered durable medical equipment.
Now that you know what durable medical equipment means, you can talk to your doctor to understand whether some of your purchasing devices fall under this category. Understanding this factor will help you to take advantage of insurance and Medicare benefits.
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