Cancer Rehabilitation

About

At St. Joseph Hospital, we understand that comprehensive survivorship services help survivors improve their ability to function as well as their overall quality of life. Regardless of the stage of cancer or phase of treatment or recovery, patients can benefit from participation in St. Joseph Hospital’s Cancer Rehabilitation (CARE) Programs.

What is Cancer Rehabilitation?

Cancer rehabilitation is much like other forms of rehabilitation which happen after a serious illness or injury such as a stroke or car accident. Your rehabilitation program may include appointments with and treatments recommended by medical professionals including physiatrists (doctors who specialize in rehabilitation medicine), nurses, physical, occupational, and/or speech therapists, and mental health professionals. St. Joseph Hospital’s CARE Program:

  • Provides patients with coordinated cancer rehabilitation
  • Is supported by a team whose main goal is to improve the lives of survivors who suffer from the side-effects caused by cancer treatments
  • Participants receive individualized, comprehensive cancer rehabilitation treatment by a team of specially educated therapists and providers

Cancer Rehabilitation Program

Our skilled therapists assist patients who are experiencing cancer, have a history of cancer, or are having musculoskeletal issues related to cancer treatments that are impacting their lives. The goal of the Cancer Rehabilitation Physical Therapy Program is to treat the whole person through compassion, exercise, and various treatment techniques to improve their overall quality of life.

  • Chemotherapy induced neuropathy
  • Impaired mobility and strength
  • Swallowing disorders
  • Pre and post treatment care and counseling
  • Fatigue
  • Difficulty with activities of daily living
  • Shifting from tube feedings back to oral feedings
  • Vocal changes related to radiation

Benefits to Cancer Rehabilitation

St. Joseph Hospital’s CARE Program is a cancer survivorship program focused on improving the lives of survivors who suffer from the side-effects caused by cancer and its treatments. As a CARE Program patient, you will receive comprehensive cancer rehabilitation treatment to improve the symptoms affecting your daily functioning and quality of life. These symptoms may include:

  • Cancer related fatigue
  • Musculoskeletal pain
  • Joint stiffness
  • Weakness/deconditioning
  • Balance/walking difficulties
  • Lymphedema (limb swelling)
  • Cancer induced peripheral neuropathy
  • Cognitive functioning
  • Memory problems
  • Difficulties with activities of daily living
  • “Chemo brain”
  • Issues with talking or swallowing

Insurance Information

Most cancer rehabilitation services are reimbursed by health insurance providers. Check with your insurance plan for specific rehabilitation benefits, including information about your deductibles, co-pays, and limits.

Meet Our Team

Our team provides one-to-one patient care, tailored to meet the specific functional needs and goals of each individual patient in a supportive, encouraging, and friendly environment.

Denise Blatchford, PT

St. Joseph Hospital Rehabilitation Services at Hudson

Patricia Cote, PT, DPT

St. Joseph Hospital Rehabilitation Services at Merrimack

St. Joseph Hospital Rehabilitation Services at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Nashua

Beth Denaro, PT

St. Joseph Hospital Rehabilitation Services at 460 Amherst Street, Nashua

Christine Mondi, PT, CLT

St. Joseph Hospital Rehabilitation Services at Merrimack

603-882-3000