Minnesota Proclaims HME Appreciation Week for Homecare

MINNEAPOLIS—As part of November’s Homecare Month, Governor Tim Walz officially proclaimed the second week of November as Home Medical Equipment (HME) & Services Appreciation Week in Minnesota to highlight the value of HME professionals, products and services in making home-based care possible.

This proclamation was the product of a collaboration between American Association of Homecare (AAHomecare) and the Midwest Association for Medical Equipment Services & Supplies (MAMES). Launched as a pilot project under the leadership of AAHomecare’s Brand Council to showcase the value of HME, AAHomecare said the campaign shines a light on HME stakeholders who enable millions of people to manage their medical needs from the comfort of home.

“Our industry provides more than products—we provide independence, dignity and peace of mind for families,” said Ashley Plauché, senior director of brand marketing at AAHomecare. “This proclamation honors the accredited suppliers, manufacturers and service companies who work tirelessly to provide the products, education and compassionate support that help families thrive.”

“The HME community in Minnesota has always been deeply committed to its patients,” said Rose Schafhauser, executive director of MAMES.  “We are proud to see the state of Minnesota lead the way in recognizing the value of HME professionals and the care they deliver every day.”

The proclamation aims to highlight the role of HME in:

• Reducing hospitalizations and health care costs
• Supporting end users, families and caregivers
• Empowering individuals with complex medical needs to live at home
• Strengthening communities by keeping loved ones together

AAHomecare said it is developing a toolkit to collaborate with other states to request similar proclamations, increasing recognition of HME’s role in home-based care.

“Every person who relies on HME knows how vital this care is,” said Plauché.  “This proclamation brings that understanding to the broader public, giving visibility to an often overlooked industry and highlighting how HME professionals make home-based care possible.”