Providers of Home Medical Equipment Are First Responders for Medicare Patients during Emergencies

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Anticipating Hurricane Sandy and power outages across in the Eastern U.S., providers of durable medical equipment and services are working alongside other first responders to ensure the safety of seniors and people with disabilities, says the American Association for Homecare.

Millions of seniors and people with disabilities require some form of home medical equipment and services in the home, such as oxygen therapy, ventilators, hospital beds, or wheelchairs.

Homecare providers are especially concerned about power outages, which can be deadly for people who require an oxygen concentrator to treat lung diseases such as COPD or chronic heart failure, or a ventilator for breathing.  These devices run on electricity.

Hurricanes, ice storms, and other conditions that disrupt electricity trigger emergency plans, which home medical equipment providers have in place to ensure that patients have extra oxygen tanks or back-up power for ventilators.    

The American Association for Homecare represents durable medical equipment providers and others  in the homecare community who serve the medical needs of millions of Americans who require oxygen equipment and therapy, mobility assistive technologies, medical supplies, inhalation drug therapy, and other medical equipment and services in their homes.

Members operate more than 3,000 homecare locations in all 50 states.  www.aahomecare.org  

SOURCE American Association for Homecare