Pulmonary Rehabilitiation Week recognized at VMH ...

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week was recognized last week, March 8-14 at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH). Local Pulmonary Rehabilitation teaches a person to live and breathe better with chronic lung disease. Participation in a pulmonary rehab program can help increase strength, manage shortness of breath, decrease anxiety and depression and implement a consistent at-home exercise program.

Pulmonary Rehab patient Daryl Palmer of Waterville states, “I get such good care here and I am committed to it. I truly look forward to coming to rehab and every time I’m here, I try to do a little bit better so I can build up more strength. We have to choose to get better, otherwise anyone in a slump won’t improve. I never even knew all of these services were available locally until I was hurt by that horse years ago. If it had not been for the Physical Therapy department, I may not have walked again. They have great services here. A person truly heals better moving around and keeping a good attitude and they sure help with that.”

Pulmonary Rehabilitation consists of closely supervised exercise sessions staffed by Diesty Weymiller, RN, and Morgan Walther, RN. The pulmonary rehab staff also provide other information that help set goals and create a plan for managing  chronic lung disease and improving quality of life. For more information in understanding and managing pulmonary function and improving health, call the Rehabilitation Department at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411. Submitted photo.