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About Us

Health Equipment & Long-Term Planning (HELP) is a unique, nonprofit organization that improves quality of life and independence for seniors, adults and teenagers. Serving more than 7,000 people in eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa, HELP comprises two programs: low-cost medical equipment rentals and long-term care planning.

Programs Support Independence

HELP renovates gently used medical equipment and makes it available to those in need at a fraction of the retail cost, enabling individuals to maintain independence in their own homes. The long-term care planning program accepts all Douglas/Sarpy county residents, regardless of income or age, including those covered by Medicaid.

Environmentally Friendly Recycling

HELP’s overhead costs are extremely low, with 93 cents of every dollar applied to our services. In addition, our environmentally friendly recycling program diverts thousands of pieces of medical equipment from landfills annually.

Our HELPers

Helping the community every day.

Kurt Bush

Executive Director

Daniel Haynes

Program Manager

Connor Moritz

Warehouse Coordinator

Taylor Burkum

Senior Warehouse Coordinator

Melody Harder

Executive Assistant

 

Our Board

Marilyn Puett

President

Gary Willis

Executive Member/Secretary

Taylor Jackson

Board Member

Mindy Paces

Executive Member

 

Tim Coyle

Board Member

 

John Morey

Board Member

 

Mary Wilson

Board Member

Arlin Kiel

Treasurer

 

Our Partners

CHI Hospitals & Affiliates

College of St Mary’s Occupational Therapy

Methodist College of Nursing

University of Nebraska Medical Center

Alegent Health Systems

Methodist Hospital & Affiliates

Immanuel Hospital & Affiliates

Jennie Edmundson Hospital & Affiliates

Veterans Administration Hospital

Key Physical Therapy

Nebraska Orthopedic Hospital

OneWorld Community Health Centers

Charles Drew Health Center

Council Bluffs Community Health Center

Douglas County Health Department

Iowa Department of Health & Human Services

NE Department of Health & Human Services

Visiting Nurses Association

ALS Association

ALS in the Heartland

Alzheimer’s Association

Arthritis Foundation

Heartland Family Services

Hope Haven

Siena Francis House

Franciscan Adult Day Center

Asera Care Hospice

Alegent Home & Hospice Care

Care Consultants for the Aging

Connections Agency on Aging (Iowa)

United Way of the Midlands

National Safety Council

Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging (ENOA)

Non-profit Association of the Midlands

League of Human Dignity

Latino Center of the Midlands

Municipal Public Housing Agency

Council Bluffs Senior Center

Kohll’s Pharmacy

Kubat Pharmacy

Elmwood Pharmacy

Presbytery of the Missouri River Valley & the Presbyterian Churches

Royale Oaks Living Facilities

St. Joseph Villa

Maplecrest Nursing Center

Quality Living Home Health

Regal Towers

Swanson Towers

Brighton Gardens

Hillcrest Center

Montclair Nursing Home & Rehab

New Cassel Retirement Center

Esprit Whispering Ridge

St. Joseph Tower

Papillion Manor

Oasis Senior Advisors

hear now

Parkinson’s Association

Focus Respiratory

Wings of Hope

Elite Professionals Home Care

Intercultural Senior Center

Comfort Keepers

Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership

A Time to Heal

Specialized Physical Therapy

Security Equipment, Inc.

Our History

Founded by Dr. Ross Robson of First Presbyterian Church of Omaha, HELP began as a mission described in his May 1982 document, “Toward an Intentional Future.” With a goal of helping underserved elderly and low-income people remain independent and safe in their own homes, the document became reality on October 22, 1982, under the name of Presbyterian Metropolitan Ministries of Omaha.

Supported by fellow philanthropists Marjorie Kiewit, Willis Strauss and other community leaders, the organization grew into a separate nonprofit in 1986, and was renamed the Presbyterian Outreach Inc. in 1994. The concept of a health equipment loan program originated with the Rev. Sidney J. Raymond of Florence Presbyterian Church Omaha. Evolving from a makeshift office in the First Presbyterian church boiler room to an organization partnering with numerous medical, social and service organizations, in 2008 the Presbyterian Outreach became HELP Adult Services: A Presbyterian Community Outreach and subsequently relocated to the Center Mall on 42nd and Center streets.

In addition to seniors, today’s thriving nonprofit 501c3 has expanded its services to include adults and teenagers, serving more than 7,000 people in eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa. The organization was renamed HELP
(Health Equipment and Long-Term Planning)
in 2018 to reflect its current mission of providing low-cost medical equipment rentals and long-term care planning for in-home support, assisted living and nursing homes.

Help Medical Equipment Rental & Long-Term Care Planning