"The therapists helped me to be more independent."
"I CAN BREATHE BETTER!"
"I should have talked to my doctor sooner!"
"My quality of life was made better by working with the Rehab therapist."
"I look forward to going to my sessions."
"I cut down on my overall medical costs by going to Rehab!"

Pulmonary Rehabilitation programs have been around for many years now, but many of you may not know what a quality program looks like or understand its importance and benefit.

About Pulmonary Rehabilitation

• What Are the Benefits of Pulmonary Rehabilitation?
  Some benefits of exercise are
  •   Improved sense of well-being
  •   Increased endurance
  •   Decreased depression
  •   Decreased shortness of breath (or at least desensitizing to the feeling of SOB)
  •   More independence
  •   Decreased anxiety
  •   Improved immune system

• For many graduates, the program has been able to help:
  •   Control and alleviate symptoms
  •   Increase exercise tolerance
  •   Decrease anxiety and depression commonly associated with pulmonary disease
  •   Learn more about their disease
  •   Feel better about themselves

• Who Should Attend Pulmonary Rehabilitation?
  The program is designed for patients with pulmonary diseases, such as emphysema, asthma, and chronic bronchitis…
  •   Whose shortness of breath compromises their lifestyle
  •   Who want to learn more about their disease
  •   Who want to learn ways to improve their breathing
  •   Who want to increase their exercise endurance

• Patients admitted to the Pulmonary Rehabilitation program will generally demonstrate:
  •   Medical stability
  •   Dyspnea due to Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
  •   Sever functional limitation from Chronic Lung Disease
  •   Interest and motivation toward Pulmonary Rehabilitation
  •   Inability to participate in outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation
  •   No other interfering or unstable medical conditions

• Through breathing retraining, regular exercise, proper nutrition, and respiratory treatments you can dramatically improve your breathing ability.

The Process

• How can Pulmonary Rehab help YOU?
  Pulmonary Rehab has been shown to reduce hospitalizations and medical services, improve quality of life, decrease anxiety and depression, improve self-reliance, increase the ability to perform daily tasks, increase the understanding of lung disease and function. In some patients it is possible to decrease the need for supplemental oxygen and some medications.

• What’s Involved?
  Your therapist at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital will assess your individual needs, develop goals with you, and work up a plan that will be the most help for you and what your unique needs are.
  Other members of the team are physical therapist, social workers, dietician and pharmacist. Each one is available to you to meet your needs.
  Your program may involve training in breathing techniques, use of light exercise equipment, medication use, and oxygen therapy. We will do what it takes to help you in your fight to breathe.
  Your therapist will continue to monitor your progress as you reach for the goals that are set by you and your therapist.

• How many times can I come?
  Statistics show that you get the most benefit out of the program by coming twice a week. We normally see patients twice a week for up to 18 weeks.

• What happens to me then?
  Our graduates can come back for maintenance and are allowed to use all the resources of the department for up to one full year.

• Can I bring someone with me?
  We do encourage family and others to participate and we feel that those around you can also help provide the support that you may need. We are here for you and will do everything possible to insure your success in accomplishing your goals.

Who Needs Pulmonary Rehab?

• Would I be a good candidate for Rehab?
  If you have known lung disease or shortness of breath or have a chronic cough, you would most likely qualify for Pulmonary Rehabilitation. We are already helping many people just like you.

• If you have:
  •   Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
  •   Asthmatic Bronchitis
  •   Chronic Bronchitis
  •   Asthma
  •   Emphysema
  •   Bronchiectasis
  •   Cyctis Fibrosis
  •   Lung Resection
  •   Lung Transplant
  •   Interstitial Fibrosis...

  ...Call us-we can help!

• How do I get started?
  Ask your doctor or PA today if Pulmonary Rehabilitation is right for you. Come on, what are you waiting for? You could be feeling and breathing better.

Insurance

• Most insurance companies cover these services. We will assist in helping you with these details. We can make sure that services are covered before you start your Pulmonary Rehab program. You won’t have to wonder if it will be paid or not.
  A physician or PA’s order is required. Speak to your provider today to start on your way to feeling better and getting more out of life.
  For more information, please contact the Cardiopulmonary Department at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital at 664-5320 or toll free at 1-888-480-3840.
  
  For further information or assistance please contact:

Maine Coast Memorial Hospital
Pulmonary Rehabilitation Department
50 Union Street
Ellsworth ME
664-5320

Our Staff

• Kenneth Christian MD, Medical Director
• Tina Harper, Department Director
• The whole staff of the Respiratory Department here at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital are at your disposal.
• Department Email (For non emergency communications ONLY)
  cpl@mainehospital.org