For those suffering from serious illnesses, injuries, or disabilities, occupational therapy can make all the difference in their quality of life. After a serious injury, stroke, or accident, having to re-learn daily living skills, or learning to adapt to physical limitations can be overwhelming for many patients. But with the right therapy and equipment, many can learn to overcome those challenges and regain their independence.

As an occupational therapist assistant, Kelli Casto has had the opportunity to help a lot of patients regain all or much of their independence. But despite her best efforts, she soon saw that more needed to be done. While insurance often pays for some of the therapy patients required, it fell short when it came to covering the cost of durable medical equipment that most patients need, especially for low-income seniors.

Items like wheelchairs, hospital beds, hoyer lifts, and other costly equipment were often only partially covered by insurance, or not covered at all, leaving many patients having to go without the very equipment that Kelli knew would help make their lives easier. She knew something needed to be done. Her desire to help fill this gap in care led her to start Saving Our Seniors, located in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Saving Our Seniors (S.O.S.) makes a wide variety of durable medical equipment available to patients in need for free or for a small donation and is based on the patient’s income. Because S.O.S. is a 501 ( c ) (3) organization, they accept donations of gently used medical equipment which they then redistribute to patients in need in the Tampa area. Other items S.O.S. collects and distributes include:

• Standard or Bariatric Manual Wheelchairs
• Standard or Bariatric Lightweight Transport Chairs
• Front Wheel Walkers and Rollator (seated) Walkers
• Standard or Bariatric Commodes and Toilet Risers
• Wheelchair Ramps
• Patient Lifts such as Hoyer Lifts (Manual)
• Bath Transfer Benches or Shower Chairs/Benches
• Shower or Bath Grab Bars
• Single Point Canes and Quad Canes
• Bed Rails and Toilet Rails
• Hospital Beds

If you have any of these items to donate, or are in need of any of these items, please contact the organization for more information. Also accepted: diabetic supplies, adult diapers, bed pads and other medical supplies.

Monetary donations and Volunteers are always welcome. The volunteers at Saving Our Seniors are dedicated to making sure no patient is ever forced to go without the supplies or equipment they need due to a lack of funds. If you would like to help support this worthwhile cause, please contact Kelli at: Director@savingourseniors.care

You may also call 727-537-6753, however, for fastest response, email is preferred.

For more information or to donate please visit the website: http://savingourseniors.care/

Connect with Kelli on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelli-casto-6b687b101/