Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center is the only facility in the area – and one of the few in the country – with a cancer rehabilitation program. Because the program is specialized for cancer patients, staff have the expertise to help each achieve the best possible result.
Fighting the disease is only half the battle
Cancer can devastate a patient’s body, mind and spirit. And the treatments often seem as debilitating as the disease itself.
Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center’s Cancer Programs help patients maximize their abilities and independence and minimize many of the complications that can result from cancer and its treatments. We help patients recover hope, dignity and as much independence as possible so they can return home.
Located in a regional referral hospital
Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center is located in Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, a 331-bed regional referral hospital. Thompson Cancer Survival Center, a world leader in cancer care, is right across the street. Specialty physicians, diagnostic and treatment equipment, ancillary services and emergency care are all readily available if needed. If your doctor recommends rehabilitation therapy, he or she can call Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center’s Cancer Programs at (865) 331-1446 or 1-800-728-6325. A registered nurse liaison will begin an evaluation within one business day.
An unequaled team and unsurpassed resources
Our team includes your doctors. Each patient’s personal care physician; medical, radiation and surgical oncologist; and other medical specialists are an important part of the team at Patricia Neal.
A total care approach
Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center’s cancer rehabilitation team includes physiatrists (doctors specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation); rehabilitation nurses; physical, occupational and recreational therapists; psychologists; speech language pathologists; pharmacists; dieticians; case managers and others.
A comprehensive range of care
Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center’s cancer program provides the level of rehabilitation best suited to each patient. Preventive care focuses on avoiding disabilities and improving patients’ physical functioning and general health. Restorative care returns patients to their previous level of functioning. When prevention or restoration is not possible, supportive care helps patients adapt and function with disabilities. Palliative care reduces pain and complications.
Individualized care for each patient
The cancer rehabilitation team at Patricia Neal designs an individualized plan of care for each patient, geared to degree of impairment, family or caregivers’ abilities and other important factors. The goal is to help each patient regain as much functional ability and independence as possible.
Exceptional facilities
Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center has unsurpassed resources, all designed to meet the specific needs of each patient:
- multiple fully-equipped therapy gyms
- a rooftop therapy park
- an adaptive living apartment to ease the transition back to everyday life
- animal therapy
- support groups
- an innovative recreational therapy program
- advanced technology
- a computer life skills lab
- special adaptive equipment programs
- community outings to prepare patients to function in the community
- family and caregiver training
- adaptive driving
- seating and mobility
- balance programs
- improved or alternative communications programs
Outstanding qualifications
Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center has earned accreditation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), the leading national rehabilitation facility accreditation organization. The Center’s physiatrists are all board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Other members of the cancer program team – therapists, nurses, case managers, and others – have extensive experience and specialized training.
Complete cancer rehabilitation
Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center’s Cancer Programs provide therapy for many of the impairments that may result from cancer, cancer surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and other treatments, including:
- Fatigue
- Overall deconditioning
- Muscle wasting
- Lymphedema (swelling)
- Weakness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Pain
- Weight loss
- Skin breakdown
- Difficulty communicating
- Impaired mobility
- Impaired thinking
- Anxiety
- Decreased memory
- Depression
- Increased risk of falls
- Adjustment problems
The cancer rehab program is supported by Fort Sanders Foundation. To find out how your contributions can help this program, or to make a memorial or honorarium gift, please contact the Foundation at (865) 331-1224 or e-mail jelliott@covhlth.com.