Services

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

The goal of outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation is to improve your quality of life. While rehabilitation cannot cure your lung disease, you may notice improved breathing control, fewer breathing problems and improved strength and endurance.

Other benefits include:

  • Ability to function better in your daily life
  • Increased ability to exercise
  • Better management of anxiety and depression

Memorial Medical Center's Pulmonary Rehabilitation program combines the expertise of your physician, nurses, respiratory therapists, exercise specialists, dietitians and other specialists in lung disease who work together to maximize your success.

Could a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program be right for you?

Pulmonary rehabilitation is an outpatient service designed for those with moderate to severe lung disease, as well as those who have recently undergone a lung procedure. Examples include:

  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis
  • Emphysema
  • Interstitial Lung Disease
  • Chronic Bronchitis
  • Lung Volume Reduction Surgery
  • Bronchiectasis
  • Lung Transplantation
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Cystic Fibrosis

Pulmonary rehabilitation includes exercise classes and education about your lung disease or condition. Pulmonary rehab may help you participate in activities with less shortness of breath, as well as teach you strategies for coping with your lung condition in daily life.

Your motivation to attend faithfully and be open to recommendations are the most important ingredients to ensure the success of your pulmonary rehab program.

Educational Programs

Educational classes available through the Pulmonary Rehabilitation provide information about:

  • Proper use and purpose of respiratory medications
  • Understanding and using oxygen therapy
  • Energy conservation techniques
  • Diet, nutrition and weight management
  • Strategies for managing breathing problems
  • When to seek medical treatment

Monitored and Supervised Exercise

Outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation provides a physical activity plan tailored to your needs. Exercise will help improve your endurance and muscle strength so daily activities can be accomplished more easily. Oxygen needs, heart rate and blood pressure are closely monitored. Gradual supervised progression of exercise ensures the best potential for improvement. 

At Memorial, Outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a twice-weekly program, meeting for approximately one hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and typically lasting 10 weeks. You may choose from a variety of class times. 

Psychosocial Support

People who have chronic lung disease are more prone to depression, anxiety and other emotional problems. Pulmonary rehab attendance can offer an improved sense of well-being and quality of life. Additional counseling services can be arranged when needed. 

Our support group, the Better Breather’s Club, provides additional education and social opportunities through support group meetings offered six times per year. You will receive further information on meetings during your enrollment in pulmonary rehab. 

Getting Started

Talk to your doctor about your desire to attend. They can review with you if pulmonary rehab is an option in your health care plan. 

What will be needed to begin a referral to pulmonary rehab?

  • Doctor's prescription for pulmonary rehab enrollment
  • Lung disease diagnosis
  • Lung volume testing within the last year meeting pulmonary rehab program guidelines.

If you need more information about our accredited program, call 217-862-0471.