CARIBOU, Maine — Cary Medical Center’s Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation program has been improving the quality of life for patients in Aroostook County since it began in 1996. Clinical staff serving the program have combined nursing experience of 179 years. The staff, all registered nurses and certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, monitor patients who participate in a variety of exercise therapy, and who have been referred to the program after experiencing a cardiac event or who have chronic pulmonary disease. Karen Ouellette, RN who manages the program said that it is rewarding to see how patients respond to the education and exercise offered.
“We see patients with both heart and lung disease,” said Ouellette who has been with the program since beginning as an intern in 1997. “The vast majority of our patients show significant improvement after completing our program. They come to us in a compromised state of health and leave us with renewed confidence as well as improved overall wellbeing.”
The program offers educational sessions as well as multiple exercise options from machines to free weights. Patients are scheduled for 24–36 sessions of monitored exercise based on their health status. Patients who have had open heart surgery, experienced a heart attack, who have had cardiac stents, or congestive heart failure are seen in the program. Patients who undergo a heart transplant are seen both pre and post procedure.
The pulmonary side of the program sees patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Pulmonary Fibrosis, asthma, Restrictive Airway Disease, Alpha 1 Antitrypsin and patients undergoing lung transplants. Transplant patients are seen both pre- and post-procedure. A Pulmonary Function test is required prior to joining the program.
Patients must be referred to the program by their primary care physician and be within one year of experiencing a cardiac or pulmonary episode. Patients receive a personalized exercise prescription, an individual care plan and progress reports that are shared with their provider. During the exercise component of the program nurses monitor the patient’s blood pressure, cardiac rhythm, heart rate, oxygen levels. Electrocardiograms are performed as needed.
Once completing the program they are given guidelines to exercise at home and encouraged to choose an activity they enjoy, including group exercise. Nurses with the program follow up with patients in one month to gauge their progress and remind them of follow up appointments.
Rick Daigle, who is 76, had open heart surgery at Christmas time in 2023. He was referred by his primary care physician to the Cardiac and Pulmonary rehab program.
“If you could have seen me when I started this program several weeks ago and compared to how I feel now, there is a major difference,” said Daigle, who owns a horse farm in Fort Kent and attends the program three days a week. “I failed my first treadmill test and now I can do 15 minutes on the elevated treadmill with no problem. I was ignoring my health but the open heart procedure really scared me and now, thanks to this program I am more comfortable with exercise, I feel safer. I plan to be back on my horses in a couple of weeks. The cardiac staff both here at Cary and at Northern Light in Bangor have been great”.
Michael Ouellette, 76 of New Sweden, was experiencing serious breathing issues. He was using inhalers and other breathing support but he was not able to do tasks due to shortness of breath. His wife spoke to his doctor and asked if there were other options and he was referred to the program.
“Mike was not himself,” said Mrs. Ouellette. He was not able to do the work around the house and was spending time watching TV because he just did not have the energy, and this program has helped him improve.”
Being unable to be active can lead to depression for many patients with chronic disease and Ouellette said that this program has made a difference. Now in his 19th week with the program Ouellette is improving.
“Being able to do more without running out of breath has meant everything to me. I now have more energy and can see the benefits of exercise.”
Joan Bernier of Caswell had two stents over Labor Day in 2023. Now 80 she was referred to the program and is now in her 28th session. She also has polymyositis, a muscle disease and said she found the program helped her get stronger.
“When I first came to the program I could not get up on the exercise machine without help, now I can get on by myself and I can do the weights, the nurses have been very helpful.” Bernier also said she enjoys the social aspect of the program, meeting other people.
Sharon Pelletier, RN, who has worked at Cary Medical Center for 35 years said that there is real benefit in the social element of the program. “Patients enjoy meeting others who are experiencing similar health issues”, she said. “It reminds them that they are not alone and encourages them. Patients often develop friendships over the many weeks of the program. The mental and emotional aspects of this program have great value.”
Medicare insurance covers 80 percent of the program cost and many supplement plans also provide coverage. MaineCare covers 100 percent of the program. The Cardiac and Pulmonary program at Cary Medical Center completes 1,200–1,600 sessions a year. The program is offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7 am to 3:30 p.m.
