Integrative Cancer Care Services

Cancer Rehabilitation Services at OceanFirst Rehabilitation Center

Cancer rehabilitation can mean a better quality of life before, during and after cancer treatment. The OceanFirst Rehabilitation Center offers both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation therapies to help you build strength and endurance, manage stress, and have the energy to participate in day to day activities that are important to you. Some of the rehabilitation services offered include:

Physical and occupational therapy:  As part of your cancer treatment, our physical therapists may help you design an individualized exercise program that combines range-of-motion training with light resistance exercises. These therapeutic exercises aim to reduce fatigue and improve physical function, safety and well-being.

Our occupational therapists are available to help you with daily living activities that are important to your routine and quality of life, such as dressing, showering and eating.

Speech and language pathology: Many cancer patients may benefit from speech and language pathology. Therapists address problems you may be experiencing, including dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, loss of voice and cognitive changes that often result from cancer treatment.

Lymphedema Management: CentraState Healthcare System’s Lymphedema Program is one of only a few programs in New Jersey recognized by the National Lymphedema Network. A painful condition in which excess fluid collects in tissue and causes swelling, lymphedema may occur in the arm or leg after lymph vessels or lymph nodes in the underarm or groin are surgically removed or treated with radiation, as is the case in certain cancer treatments.

Since its inception in 1999, thousands of patients of patients have been treated by the program’s specially trained staff — certified therapists who are members of the National Lymphedema Network. They design a personalized treatment plan for cancer patients, which includes education about their condition.

Rehabilitation is offered though The OceanFirst Rehabilitation Center (outpatient) and The Manor Health and Rehabilitation (inpatient).

Other programs include:

• Aquatics programs
• Pain management
• Cognitive programs
• Sound healing therapy

Nutrition Consultations

Our registered dietitians ensure that patients’ nutritional needs are being met by helping them to cope with appetite changes and digestion issues that may occur as a result of the cancer or treatment side effects. CentraState’s dietitians help patients find foods that they can tolerate but that also help them to stay strong and nourished. Your nutritionist will monitor how you are doing throughout treatment and adjust your dietary plan as needed.

Cancer Wellness Program

The Cancer Wellness Program at CentraState Fitness & Wellness Center provides supervised exercise, education and support throughout your personal journey.

Working with an exercise professional who may communicate with members of your current treatment team, you will participate in an exercise program appropriate for your diagnoses, treatments, and current status in your cancer journey.

The purpose and guiding principle of the Cancer Wellness Program is that you should remain as functional and independent as possible. Through the use of exercise integrated into your current care, you may maintain and/or improve your physical well-being, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life.

As changes occur in your health status, team members will adapt the program to meet your individual needs.

Potential benefits of exercise during treatment include:

• Decreased fatigue and increase energy
• Reduced depression
• Decrease of various side effects related to treatments
• Maintain muscle, heart, and lung health & function

Potential benefits of exercise post-treatment include:

• Improved physical function
• Management of chronic or late appearing side effects of treatment (fatigue, lymphedema, neuropathy, weight gain/loss, bone loss)
• Improved muscle, heart, and lung strength and function

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

CentraState offers comprehensive rehabilitation for those patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders and other chronic lung conditions, as well as those recovering from lung surgery.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation is offered through CentraState’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation Department

Palliative Care Physician and Nurses

Our palliative care physicians and nurses have special training in helping to improve the quality of life of cancer patients and their families. They provide comfort care for both the physical and emotional symptoms of cancer and its treatment. They help to prevent or relieve pain and other physical, emotional and/or spiritual distress that can accompany serious illness. They also coordinate services, drawing on a range of resources and professional expertise.