Medical Equipment Rentals & Sales in Vancouver

Medical equipment rentals and sales in Vancouver give patients, families, and caregivers a flexible way to get the devices they need without always having to buy them outright. Vancouver has a strong home‑health and mobility ecosystem, so whether someone is recovering from surgery, managing a chronic condition, or helping an aging parent live safely at home, there are multiple options for short‑ and long‑term access to equipment.

Types of equipment available

Most Vancouver providers focus on home medical and mobility equipment that helps with safety, independence, and recovery at home. Common categories include:

• Mobility aids: manual and transport wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, mobility scooters, rollators, walkers, crutches, and knee walkers.
• Homecare beds and furniture: fully electric or semi‑electric hospital beds, pressure‑relief mattresses, bed rails, over‑bed tables, and lift/recliner chairs.
• Bathroom and safety equipment: commodes, raised toilet seats, shower chairs, bath benches, transfer benches, grab bars, and non‑slip accessories.
• Transfer and lifting devices: patient lifts, sit‑to‑stand lifts, slings, transfer boards, and ceiling lift systems.
• Respiratory and clinical devices: oxygen concentrators, nebulizers, suction machines, CPAP/BiPAP devices (often through specialized respiratory providers).
• Daily living aids: reachers, dressing aids, bed assist handles, cushions, and support braces.

Many companies will rent the higher‑ticket or short‑term items (like beds, lifts, scooters, and wheelchairs) and sell smaller or more personal items (like cushions, grab bars, or bathroom safety aids).

Why rent instead of buy?

Renting medical equipment can be a smart option in several scenarios:

• Short‑term recovery: after surgery, injury, or acute illness when equipment is needed for only a few weeks or months.
• Trying before buying: testing different models of wheelchairs, scooters, or beds to see what works best before committing to a purchase.
• Visitors and travel: when relatives with mobility needs are visiting Vancouver, or a local patient is home temporarily between hospital stays.
• Budget and cash flow: rentals spread the cost over time and avoid a large upfront purchase; often no long‑term contract is required.
• Changing needs: as a person’s condition improves or declines, rental equipment can be swapped out for something more appropriate.

On the other hand, if someone has a permanent condition and will need the same device for years, purchasing can become more cost‑effective over time.

Key Vancouver providers

Vancouver and the Lower Mainland have several well‑established medical equipment suppliers that handle both rentals and sales:

• Home health and mobility specialists: Companies such as Yaletown Medical Supplies, BC Medequip, HME Home Health, Advanced Medical, and Seventh Chakra (serving Vancouver and nearby cities) focus on wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, hospital beds, and other home‑care equipment. Many offer both rental and purchase options, plus service and repairs.
• Large home health chains: Some national or provincial home‑health providers have Vancouver branches that supply equipment under government or insurance funding programs, as well as private rentals and sales.
• Niche providers: A few businesses specialize in particular areas, like complex power wheelchairs, seating and positioning, or stair lifts and ceiling lifts. These may emphasize custom assessments and longer‑term solutions.

Most providers serve a broad area: Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, North Shore, Surrey, Delta, and sometimes farther into the Fraser Valley. Many also deliver to hotels, cruise terminals, and vacation rentals for visitors who need mobility support during their stay.

Rental terms, delivery, and service

Rental programs in Vancouver are generally designed to be flexible:

• Duration: common options include daily (for some items), 3‑day, weekly, and monthly rentals, with easy extensions if you need the equipment longer.
• Deposits and fees: some companies require a security deposit, while others advertise “no deposit” but may charge minimum rental periods or delivery fees.
• Delivery and setup: most providers offer delivery, in‑home setup, and pickup for an additional charge. This is especially common for hospital beds, lifts, and large scooters.
• Sanitization and maintenance: reputable suppliers clean and disinfect all returned equipment to medical‑grade standards, and perform regular maintenance and safety checks before re‑rental.
• Support: staff can show you how to use the equipment safely, adjust it to fit, and provide phone support if there are issues.

When buying equipment, these businesses often also provide:

• Warranty handling and repairs.
• Custom fitting for wheelchairs, seating, and mobility aids.
• Home assessments to recommend appropriate equipment and placement.
• Installation services (for grab bars, stair lifts, ceiling tracks, etc.).

Funding and insurance considerations

In British Columbia, some patients may qualify for partial or full coverage of medical equipment through public or private programs. For example:

• Provincial programs and health authorities sometimes fund essential devices (like basic wheelchairs or hospital beds) for qualifying patients.
• Non‑profit organizations may have loan closets or grants for specific equipment needs.
• Extended health insurance, ICBC (for motor‑vehicle injuries), or workplace insurance may reimburse approved items.

However, many people still pay privately, especially for convenience, upgraded models, or equipment not covered by funding. Rental fees are usually out‑of‑pocket, though in some cases insurers may reimburse if it’s medically justified.

How to choose the right provider

When comparing medical equipment rental and sales options in Vancouver, it helps to look at:

• Range of inventory: do they stock the specific item you need (e.g., bariatric bed, tilt‑in‑space wheelchair, pediatric equipment)?
• Quality and brands: look for reputable manufacturers and well‑maintained gear.
• Assessment and advice: experienced staff or clinicians who can match the equipment to the user’s height, weight, home layout, and diagnosis.
• Delivery timelines: if you’re being discharged from hospital or have a scheduled surgery date, same‑day or next‑day delivery can be critical.
• Pricing transparency: clear weekly/monthly rates, delivery and pickup fees, and any minimum rental periods.
• After‑sales support: repair, replacement if something fails, and responsiveness to calls.

Practical steps for patients and caregivers

If you are arranging medical equipment in Vancouver, a simple process is:

1. Get a list from your doctor, physiotherapist, or occupational therapist of what equipment is recommended (for example: standard wheelchair, 18" seat, hospital bed with side rails, commode).
2. Contact two or three local providers by phone or online and ask:
• Do you rent/sell these exact items?
• What are the weekly and monthly rates, and delivery charges to your address?
• Can you deliver and set up before a specific date?
3. Confirm measurements and fit (seat width, weight capacity, bed size) and any special features (reclining back, elevating leg rests, pressure‑relief mattress).
4. Book the rental or purchase, schedule delivery, and keep the paperwork (rental agreement, receipts) in case you need reimbursement later.

For many families in Vancouver, combining rentals for large, short‑term items (like beds or scooters) with purchases of smaller accessories provides the best balance of cost, flexibility, and comfort.