Health Equipment Loan Program
The Canadian Red Cross Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP), provides health equipment to individuals recovering from illness or injury, and empowers people to live with independence and dignity. Like a prescription, healthcare professionals refer clients to the Canadian Red Cross and health equipment is selected to safely meet the needs of each individual.
HELP is a volunteer-supported, community-based service made possible through the support of, provincial governments, health authorities, donations of used equipment, donor contributions, and the efforts of thousands of volunteers and professional staff. Canadian Red Cross Health Equipment Loan Programs operate in B.C., Alberta, New Brunswick, PEI, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as the Yukon territory.
HELP also plays an important role in the diversion of used equipment otherwise destined for landfill.
Basic Health Equipment Loan Program
The Basic Short Term Loan program assists people recovering from injury, illness or with mobility issues; allows people to return home from hospital earlier, and supports individuals in palliative care who wish to spend their final days in the comfort of their own home. Generally this equipment is required for three months or less.
Click here to access our Health Equipment Instruction Sheets.
Community Health Equipment Services
The Red Cross operates several equipment programs including:
- Long Term Loans program provides home health and mobility equipment like wheelchairs and bathing aids to individuals with chronic but stable conditions in B.C.’s Lower Mainland for as long as the equipment is needed.
- HELP - Bed Loan Program provides loans of home-use electric hospital beds to eligible Atlantic Canadians for as long as needed. Bed delivery, pick up and installation by a technician is provided in Nova Scotia and some parts of Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. In New Brunswick eligible clients can pick up the units at a local service centre.
- Advanced Short Term Loans program augments the short term loan program by providing delivery and technician installation of advanced equipment such as beds and lifts in British Columbia.
- HELP - Specialized Equipment Program provides customized mobility aids and specialized mattresses to Nova Scotians residing in Long Term Care facilities and to eligible seniors living in New Brunswick.
- HELP – Community Health Equipment Loans program provides three-month loans of home health and mobility equipment to residents of PEI, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador. For people in New Brunswick, the equipment can be borrowed for as long as needed.
Visit our provincial pages to learn more about HELP programs in your community.
- Contact information
- Programs offered in your local community
- Required health care professional referral forms
- Equipment provided in your community
- HELP locations