Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program

Related Links www.nlhep.org www.lungusa.org  www.nhlbi.nih.gov

Pulmonary rehabilitation is the restoration of an individual with chronic lung disease to the fullest medical, emotional, social and vocational potential possible. Chronic lung disease is a major cause of disability, loss of productivity, decreased quality of life and increased medical expense. Pulmonary rehabilitation strives to increase the patient’s ability to perform daily activities with more comfort and ease and decrease the possibility of future hospitalizations through a structured program of education and exercise.

In the Paoli Hospital Lung Center's comprehensive Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, participants meet two times a week for eight weeks. Each two-hour session uses education and exercise to help reduce respiratory symptoms and optimize the ability to carry out daily activities. Respiratory therapists and other healthcare professionals, under the direction of a pulmonologist, establish appropriate individualized programs to help patients work toward their goals. An extended maintenance program is also offered to patients completing the initial program.

Our program can benefit the patient with chronic lung disease who has:

• Decreased physical activity
• Impaired occupational performance          
• Impaired quality of life
• Increased dependence on others for daily living activities
• Anxiety or depression due to lung disease
• Increased hospitalizations and emergency room visits due to lung disease
• Tobacco addiction
• Other medical problems associated with chronic lung disease

Entering the Program

Usually, people are referred to the program by their physicians. Many people are also self-referred. We strongly encourage patients to discuss their intentions with their physicians before beginning the program.

Should you decide to join the program, we will meet with you to discuss your health and the program, and evaluate the results of certain tests to determine if pulmonary rehabilitation would be appropriate for you. We will use this information to establish realistic goals for your individual program.

During the Program

Our exercises and education will help you achieve your individual goals. These goals may include the ability to walk, climb stairs, or perform household chores with less shortness of breath and fatigue.

Inactivity results in loss of muscle strength, tone and flexibility and can increase the symptoms of shortness of breath and fatigue. Upper- and lower-body exercises reverse this process, allowing a progressive increase in activity level with less shortness of breath and fatigue. These exercises are prescribed according to your individual exercise tolerance.

Education

Classes that teach greater understanding of lung disease, proper use of prescribed medication, and breathing retraining exercises can help you manage your pulmonary disease more effectively. Energy conservation skills will help you efficiently use your strength and breathing capacity. Other classes teach:

• Prevention and management of infection
• Proper nutrition
• Importance of exercise
• Environmental elements affecting breathing
• Oxygen equipment and traveling tips

At the End of the Program

After you have completed the program, you will receive individualized recommendations that will help bring greater success in achieving your personal goals. Every three months for one year, we will continue to work with you to adjust your home exercise program to ensure the best possible outcome of the rehabilitative process.

Insurance Coverage

The extent of coverage will be determined prior to the start of the program, and you will know ahead of time what your financial responsibility, if any, will be.

Maintenance Exercise Program

Following the formal six-week rehabilitation program, participants have the opportunity to enroll in a program in which they use exercise the facilities at the hospital to help maintain their fitness.

Free Support Group

The Easy Breathers Club is a free community service offered by Paoli Hospital. At these monthly support group meetings, we present relevant educational topics and provide opportunities for continued support for individuals with lung disease. Contact the Lung Center to learn more.

Related Programs

• Pulmonary Rehabilitation Maintenance