Disability
Aids
One of the hardest things about dealing with the death of an elderly or disabled friend or relative is sorting out the various aids they had to help them live as independent a life as possible? Often it is the thing people least want to remember about the deceased. A number of these items can be given to appropriate organisations to go to people who really need them.
Firstly, where possible, try to establish which items actually belonged to the person, and which items were on loan from the local social services or some charitable organisation. If the items are on loan than the organisation from which they were loaned should collect them.
What does one do with the rest? Some items may have been custom-made for the person, in which case it would be difficult for these to suit another person. However, some of the more general items (such as toilet frames, walking sticks, crutches, and commodes) can be found a new homes. Sometimes community forums such as Freegle and Freecycle may be worth a try, particularly as in that case the receiver usually arranges collection. However, it is often chancy as to whether there is someone on a given group at the time who needs the items; and one probably wants to part with these things as soon as possible. The Red Cross is a good place to donate many such items, since they will clean them proper and then distribute them to people who need them. You may be able to take the item to your nearest Red Cross shop, however check with the shop manager if that is a possibility, before embarking on a journey to drop the items off.
Categories
Consumable Aids – Unused Incontinence Pads and such like – These are expensive to buy, but reselling them is difficult, you cannot sell items like that on auction forums such as Ebay, because these would count as ‘underwear’ and many auction forums prohibit the sale of underwear. If you have a whole unopened packet it may be possible to donate it to your local hospital or hospice. Alternatively try giving the items away on a community forum such as Freegle or Freecycle. The latter option would also work for the unused pads in an opened packet.
General Mobility Aids – Commodes, Crutches, Toilet Frames, Raised Toilet Seats, Walking Sticks, Wheelchairs – It is often possible to find homes for these items via community forums such as Freegle or Freecycle. Donating them to a suitable charity, such as the Red Cross is also a possibility (but if giving to the Red Cross via their charity shop, do check with the manager first).
Slightly More Specialist Aids – Disability Bread-Boards, Stocking-Putting-On Devices – While Freegle or Freecycle may be a possibility, it is very chancy if someone needs this item. A charitable organisation such as the Red Cross is probably a better bet, (but if giving to the Red Cross via their charity shop, do check with the manager first).
Blind and Deaf Aids, and other more specialist disability aids – Try donating these via an appropriate organisation in relation to the disability.
Incontinence Knickers (Clean but have been used) – One of the most difficult items to dispose of, the charities cannot take them because of them being used personal items. You may be able to dispose of them on a community forum such as Freegle or Freecyle if you are lucky, otherwise they have to be thrown away, in textile recycling or some such.
Directory
Freegle: http://www.ilovefreegle.org/
Freecycle: http://uk.freecycle.org/
Gumtree: http://www.gumtree.com/
Help The Children Hear/ Lions Club International: programs@lionsclubs.org
Recyle4Free: clothahump@recycle4free.com
See Also
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