I have been through Kindred 2 times since 05/09. The first was when I was diagnosed with COPD in 2009 and the last was early in 2015 after a hospitalization for pneumonia. The first time I didn’t know anything at all about COPD. By the time I graduated, I knew so much about the importance of exercise, keeping equipment clean, oxygen therapy, avoiding things that would cause trouble breathing, etc. I went through the usual anger at myself for doing things that had caused this situation but was continually encouraged to let that go, focus on the future, and do the things necessary to stay as healthy as possible. The 2nd time I went through I felt so bad I wasn’t sure I could ever recover. It was so hard to do anything but with persistence and encouragement from the respiratory therapists I am again able to do most things for myself. I cannot imagine a Pulmonary Rehab program anywhere that would be any better than the one a Kindred. I also can’t separate the Kindred rehab program from Kim Trahan, the Respiratory Therapist. They are kind of like one entity. I don’t believe one would work without the other. Better Breather’s Club-I have attended the Better Breather’s Club which meets at the Kindred Pulmonary Rehab building on Cooper Street in Arlington since 2009. I try to never miss a meeting because 1. I love the people. It is wonderful to have a place to meet with others who have the same or similar health situations. 2. There is usually a speaker who discusses topics which help us live better, healthier lives. If there is not a speaker, Kim Trahan, the Respiratory Therapist, discusses topics varying from new developments to reminders about things we need to do to stay well. A lot of times the members share information they have discovered that helps some of us. 3. The pot luck lunch for the 1st hour of the meeting. Friendships are formed that last for years out of the Pulmonary Rehab program and the Better Breather’s Club meetings. Since anyone with a lung disorder is welcome, I invite everyone I meet who is dependent on supplemental oxygen to come to the meetings. Oxygen dependency isn’t necessary; I just wouldn’t recognize who else might have lung problems. Going through their rehab program is not a prerequisite for coming to the club meetings. They are very informal. Jo Bryant

I was sent to Kindred after surgery.My stay there was great, It was clean and the staff was very caring. My husband had a hip replaced 4 months later. The hospital that did the surgery had a rehab. facility themselves, but we choose Kindred because of my care there. THANK YOU! KINDRED for all your help and the staff. Great bunch of people.