At the Betty Bloomer Ford Cancer Rehabilitation Program, we understand you are facing a unique set of challenges, and you’re not alone. Many cancer survivors have physical, cognitive or emotional impairments that impact their quality of life.
Our program works with you to manage the effects of your cancer and its treatment, whether you’re in our inpatient program or are receiving therapy through our outpatient or home or community programs. Your personalized plan of care includes education, exercises, therapeutic techniques and other resources to help you live as fully as possible.
Intense rehabilitation after cancer has been shown to lead to faster and better patient outcomes. We focus on helping you regain and maintain functioning, from muscle strength to hand-eye coordination, improved memory, organizational skills and much more.
Your cancer rehabilitation plan
You’ll work with the same specially-trained cancer rehabilitation team of physicians, nurses and therapists during your inpatient stay. We offer at least three hours of combined therapy daily for five or more days a week. Your therapy will be spread out over the entire day and is targeted to improve your strength, flexibility, balance, fine motor skills, thinking and communication skills, and your ability to perform daily tasks and leisure activities.
A variety of specialized technology and rehabilitation equipment is available, including two therapy pools and a ceiling-mounted ambulation system. Dedicated gyms are located on your floor, and you can practice daily living skills in simulated environments, such as an apartment, grocery store, ATM machine, gas pump and car.
Your private room promotes healing and relaxation, with a large window and wall-sized photograph of a West Michigan nature scene. The spacious bathroom, sleeper sofa and 42-inch flat panel television help provide the comforts of home. Our building and campus feature numerous places to gather with visitors or relax on your own, including a solarium with a two-sided fireplace, a rooftop terrace with shaded seating and a therapy garden. Complimentary washers and dryers are on each floor. Click to see 360-degree virtual tours of our campus.
Resources for you and your loved ones
Our care isn’t limited to you. We know the lives of your family and friends also are significantly affected by your cancer. Your loved ones are an integral part of your treatment team. They will receive support and education, so they can be an important part of your recovery.
We also can connect you with other cancer patients who received rehabilitation with us. They truly understand your situation and often are able to offer helpful insights. Community organizations, such as Gilda’s Club, provide beneficial support programs for patients with all types of cancer. Click here to see upcoming community and educational events that may be helpful for you and your family.
Why Mary Free Bed?
It’s your right to choose where you receive cancer rehabilitation services. Why “Ask for Mary?”
- We’re the first designated and comprehensive cancer rehabilitation program in West Michigan. Team members are invited to present our treatment protocols to other healthcare professionals nationally and internationally.
- Comprehensive and specialized services are available on site if you need them now or in the future. We have inpatient and outpatient services and a home and community program.
- We work collaboratively with your physicians to promote continuity of care and effective communication. We also have a team of physician consultants available to meet your special care needs.
- Mary Free Bed is proud of its leadership role in — and contributions to — the work of the Michigan Cancer Consortium. The MCC is a statewide coalition that promotes collaboration and innovation to improve cancer prevention, cancer control and survivorship care.
In 1974, when former First Lady Betty Ford underwent a mastectomy and spoke publicly about it, her openness changed how cancer is talked about and treated. In a similar pioneering spirit, the Betty Bloomer Ford Cancer Rehabilitation Program is part of the nationally-emerging medical subspecialty of cancer rehabilitation.
Our program is named to honor Betty Ford not only for her groundbreaking cancer efforts but also to recognize her mother, Hortense Neahr Bloomer. Both women held leadership positions in the Mary Free Bed Guild which governs our hospital.
Ask for a referral or call us directly: 616.840.8790
Email: admissionscoordinators@maryfreebed.com
