To Hire or Buy Mobility Equipment?

Realising you need more assistance to do the things you have taken for granted in the past can be very daunting. 

• What equipment will I need? 
• And what is best suited for my physical condition?
• Will I need to change it in the future?
• And what about when I travel away from home?

These are all questions the team at Independent Living are asked on a regular basis. The good news is there is a right solution for everyone. As Auckland’s largest stockist of both new and hire Assistive Technology, we can share our years of learning.

Choosing the right equipment

The first and most important step is to make sure the equipment – whether bought or hired – is right for the user. Your height and weight, coupled with your mobility condition all play a part in selecting the most appropriate equipment. Hand and leg strength plus stability are key considerations for walkers, wheelchairs and bathroom aids, whereas the ability to tackle heights, breathing and other medical conditions are vital considerations for choosing bedroom equipment.

Talk to the experts. An occupational therapist or physio can assist, as can the trained assistive technology advisors at Independent Living – and advice received is totally free, regardless of where you then purchase. 

Advantages of Buying

If the equipment is required permanently, and your physical condition will not improve – or deteriorate in a hurry – then buying is definitely the right option. Buying often comes with other benefits such as a free 12-month AA scooter subscription on all mobility scooters when you buy at Independent Living. Buying Assistive Technology can be a big outlay, especially scooters and beds, so ask about interest-free options or SuperGold offers. 

When to Hire?

Hire equipment is ideal for short-term solutions such as having elderly relatives visit from out of town, recuperating from an operation or injury, or wanting to trial a mobility device for the first time.

With a full range of bathroom and bedroom aids plus a great selection of mobility scooters, wheelchairs and walkers available, we have the right hire equipment to ensure you can recuperate or stay away from home without concerns around bathroom accidents or missing out on the action. Plus, you can be guaranteed your hire equipment is fully serviced and hygienically cleaned using the Hubscrub™ UV equipment cleaning machine. Just visit our hire page www.ilsnz.org/hire to see the extensive range of hire products on offer.

Getting the right advice

Regardless of what equipment you need or where you purchase it from, Independent Living is a Charitable Trust, so our key concern is finding the right solution for you to enable a good life. Our impartial and expert advice is free, and we can even guide you on possible funding options for equipment. Browse online or visit us at one of our stores in Browns Bay, Royal Oak or Botany.

Phone: 0800 625 100
Email:  info@ilsnz.org