Oncology Rehab Services
The oncology rehab services at Moffitt Cancer Center include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and swallow therapy and nutrition therapy.
Physical and Occupational Therapy
Physical therapists focus on improving a patient’s ability to move their body. Occupational therapists focus on improving the patient’s ability to perform activities of daily living like getting dressed and using the bathroom. Both therapies help patients regain strength, mobility and a sense of independence. They provide care for muscle loss, falls and weakness; offer caregiver training for home; and recommend equipment such as a walker. They also may make discharge recommendations for people leaving the hospital to determine if it is safe for a patient to return home or if they may benefit from being admitted to a long-term care center for continued rehabilitation.
Speech language pathologists address issues with swallowing and communication. They perform various swallowing studies, which help determine the safety of eating food. Speech language pathologists may make recommendations for special diets or thickened liquids if a patient can’t safely swallow regular solid foods or thin liquids. They are also available for consultations for patients needing their voice box removed. They can meet before surgery, as well as teach ways to communicate after surgery.
Registered dietitians provide nutrition care including diet education, tube feeding recommendations, diabetes education and parenteral nutrition, or receiving nutrients through a vein. Dietitians can provide education on several topics including cancer prevention, prevention or treatment of malnutrition, nutrition for different cancer treatments management of feeding tubes, special diets, and nutrition and cancer survivorship.
How to access our services
All of these services are available both inpatient and outpatient. To make an appointment with these specialties, ask your healthcare provider at Moffitt for a consult.
For more information, call the Rehab Department at 813-745-3609.
This story was originally published in the PARTNERS newsletter. Visit Moffitt.org/PARTNERS for more stories and to learn more.