Buying or Renting Care Equipment in Coimbatore: A Checklist

Step 1: Agree what is needed

With the doctor, nurse or physiotherapist, decide: what equipment, for how long, who will use it and what training is needed. Write it on one page. Some items need a prescription or training, such as oxygen, suction and nebulisers, and should never be bought on a salesperson's advice alone. See daily living aids starter guide and home health monitoring starter kit.

Step 2: Buy or rent

Rent for short recoveries, bulky or costly items such as hospital beds and powered mattresses, and trials. Buy for items used every day for years, personal items and anything where rent would exceed the purchase cost. Many families rent the big item and buy the small ones. Compare the total cost for the likely period, including delivery, set-up and return; see equipment to rent vs buy checklist, hospital bed rent or buy, renting vs buying a wheelchair and breathing support rental costs and checks.

Step 3: Check the supplier

Compact cities make it possible to visit in person, which is worth doing.

• A real business: an address you can visit, working phone numbers and a person who answers.
• Questions from the supplier: weight, height, condition, the home and the carers.
• Medical device paperwork: ask about licensing and registration, and keep copies; see medical device licences and safe buying.
• Written terms: price, rental period, deposit, inclusions, cleaning, damage and late fees, cancellation and replacement.
• After-sales support: a number that is answered, particularly for urgent equipment such as oxygen.
• Hygiene of rental items: ask how equipment is cleaned and checked between users and refuse stained or damaged items.
• References: ask the doctor, therapists or other families.
• Warning signs: pressure to decide, vague promises, no paperwork, very low prices.

Step 4: Inspect and test

• Look closely at second-hand items for cracks, rust, loose joints, worn brakes and frayed cables. Avoid stained mattresses and cushions.
• Confirm weight rating and dimensions against the user and your rooms.
• Electrical items: earthed plug, sound lead and working controls; see safe use of medical electrical equipment at home.
• Try with the user, ideally with a therapist: wheelchairs, rollators, chairs and mattresses; see wheelchair buying guide india, rollator buying guide and choosing an anti-bedsore mattress.
• Get the manual in a language the carers read, and record serial numbers.
• Take photographs before use.

Step 5: Delivery and installation

Homes range from houses with gardens and verandas to apartments in blocks.

• Measure the gate, path, steps, doors, corridors, turns and lift. Check that a bed or wheelchair can reach the room.
• Ask what is included: carrying, assembly, set-up, a demonstration and removal of packaging. Confirm in writing.
• Apartments: book the lift if needed, tell security and the society office, and ask whether delivery is allowed at the time.
• Prepare the room: firm, level floor, a nearby earthed socket, clear access and good light; see setting up a hospital bed at home and hospital room at home: complete setup.
• Be present with the user and carers; ask for a demonstration of every control, brake and alarm, and have a nurse or physiotherapist teach safe lifting; see equipment delivery, installation and aftercare and how to lift and transfer safely.
• Fixed items: grab bars, handrails and ramps should be fitted by a competent person; ask permission if you rent; see grab bar buying guide, installing grab bars in rented homes and portable ramps for thresholds.
• Test everything before the supplier leaves.

Step 6: Dust, damp and the seasons

• Dust: cover equipment not in use, wipe regularly and keep vents and filters clean on devices such as nebulisers, concentrators and air purifiers; see air purifier filters and maintenance.
• Northeast monsoon (October to December): keep items off damp floors, wipe metal and wheels, store electronics in dry boxes and check for rust afterwards.
• Cool evenings: warm items such as hot packs should be used as advised; see cold weather warmth, hot packs and layers.
• Power cuts: plan for any equipment that needs electricity; see hospital bed electricity and power cuts, oxygen and power cuts and power cuts and older adults.
• Infection control: clean touch surfaces regularly; see infection control for home caregivers.

Step 7: Servicing, warranty and records

Ask who services the item, how often, how fast they respond and who pays. For rentals, a faulty item should be replaced promptly. Keep a file with receipts, rental agreement, warranty card, manual, serial numbers and a fault log; see equipment returns, warranty and servicing. Do not repair medical devices yourself.

Step 8: Returns and ending a rental

Ask about returns before you pay. For rentals, agree notice and pick-up in writing, clean the item, check its condition with the supplier and obtain a signed acknowledgement and written confirmation of your deposit. For items you no longer need, ask about resale or buy-back, or pass clean, safe equipment on; see volunteers, neighbours and community help.

Living on the outskirts

If your parent lives on the growing edges of the city, ask the supplier about delivery distance, servicing visits and response times, and plan for the longer gap if something fails. Keep spare parts and a plan, and know where the nearest doctor and pharmacy are; see ambulances and emergency numbers in india.

Money, tax and insurance

Make a budget and share costs openly; see budgeting for elder care in india and sharing care among siblings. Pay by traceable means; avoid large advances without a written agreement. Tax treatment of care equipment varies and changes; check with a chartered accountant or an official source; see gst and tax benefits on care equipment. Most health policies do not cover home equipment; check yours; see health insurance for senior citizens in india.

A summary page

Before committing, write one page: what is needed and why; buy or rent; the supplier, address and phone; delivery terms and date; servicing and warranty; return terms; total cost for the likely period. Share it with whoever is paying and with the doctor or therapist. If a supplier will not put terms in writing, look elsewhere.

Talking it through with your parent

Equipment lands in your parent's room, so involve them before anything is ordered. Show pictures, explain what each item is for and why the doctor suggested it, and ask what worries them: that a hospital bed will make the room look like a ward, that a commode is undignified or that a walker means they are getting worse. Many people accept equipment more readily when it is framed as a way to keep doing what they enjoy, such as a walk in the park or a visit to a neighbour. Let them choose colours and positions where possible. A short trial of a rented item often wins over a doubtful parent better than any argument.

When to ask a professional

Ask the doctor, nurse or physiotherapist what to buy or rent and to check fit and technique. An occupational therapist can assess the home. A qualified electrician can check wiring. A chartered accountant can advise on tax. For senior citizens' information and support, Elderline 14567 is a helpline; check current availability. In an emergency, call 112.