Learn About AssistList

Introduction to AssistList

What is AssistList?

AssistList (AssistList Association) is a charitable organization that enables residents of Greater Vancouver and surrounding regions to connect and exchange home health equipment, such as mobility and adaptive aids. Our mission is to provide a safe, easy-to-use, free community resource to support those with disabilities who are in need of home health equipment, and others who no longer need the home health equipment they own.

Getting home health equipment can be a costly endeavour for those that need it. There are also many families who are looking to get rid of the very same equipment, but do not have an avenue for this. To fill this gap, we created our website AssistList.ca to connect these two groups of individuals and provide them a platform to purchase, sell and donate home health equipment.

AssistList Approach

Through research and industry experience, our team has identified the need for a service like AssistList, and this was further confirmed by interviews and positive feedback from users. AssistList has evaluated models used by others in the past for this type of service, but with limited success. We feel we have learned from the challenges they encountered and have come up with a fresh new approach that will benefit the communities of Greater Vancouver and surrounding regions.

AssistList aims to create a network within the community of Greater Vancouver and surrounding regions.

• AssistList connects individuals with one another. AssistList offers an opportunity for those who want to explore and source home health equipment, as well as those who no longer need the equipment they own. The help is mutual: there are individuals looking for a less expensive way to acquire equipment, and others donating or selling equipment who will benefiting emotionally or financially as they are able to rid of the equipment while helping another person in their community.
• AssistList connects individuals to organizations. AssistList acts as a resource that introduces individuals to Community Partners, which are organizations in the community that offer valuable services. Website visitors can benefit from exposure and access to reading material, programs and services provided by Community Partners that they may not otherwise come across, such as Neighbourhood Houses of Vancouver, local community centres, diagnosis specific societies, health promotion and equipment maintenance services.

Target Demographic

There are three categories of individuals who will benefit from AssistList:

1. Individuals who have a physical disability will benefit from acquiring home health equipment;
2. Individuals who no longer need the home health equipment that they own (e.g. due to a worsening condition) will benefit financially and emotionally; and
3. Individuals who are aided by resources from AssistList Community Partners, such as reading material, programs and services.

These individuals can benefit through direct use of the AssistList website, or from support of a family, friend or care worker using the website on their behalf.