CARES Health & Wellness

On May 5, 2005, CARES was created with a vision to serve those with complicated physical needs especially lymphedema, cancer related debilities and chronic pain. We have served our community since with a mission to provide the best one-on-one experience in the Physical Therapy community while also providing Mastectomy Apparel for breast cancer patients and compression for the lymphedema patients.

Changes in healthcare since the passing of The Affordable Care Act have affected the practice of medicine across the board. With the increased burden of multiple regulations and audits, issues with insurance companies for reimbursements of services provided, provider network restrictions and ongoing reimbursement reductions due to managed care, many providers have moved from private practice into large institutionally or large corporate controlled groups. Medical care has changed and small private practices like CARES are becoming a thing of the past.

Physical Therapy was always meant to be hands-on and one-on-one as the billing codes indicate. To pay for the increased costs of expenses in these difficult economic conditions, we would have to more than double the patients we see without increasing staff which makes the one-on-one model impossible. We refuse to sacrifice quality care by altering the way we treat our patients.

For 19 years, we have had privilege of serving our community with high quality services but today we are announcing that CARES Health & Wellness will no longer be accepting new patients. We will finish seeing our current patients and expect to close as of May 31, 2024. As we transition, know that we are doing all we can to find alternative options for our current clients and patients. Many of our therapists will continue to see patients in the community once they move to their next opportunity.

Please pray for us as we struggle with this reality. We will miss you!
Brightest Blessings to you all!

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you and bring you peace. Num 6:24-26

Remember last September, we had a fund raiser for Mary Davis (Fight Like Mary Davis). She has been coming to CARES for a little while for because the proton radiation she had to treat Stage 4 Rhabdoid Malignant Tumor caused head and neck lymphedema. The swelling made it where she couldn't breathe without having a tracheostomy in her neck plus she had trouble swallowing and talking.

She has been a trooper! Creative "play" for manual lymphatic drainage to decrease the swelling plus neck & shoulder "games" to get them back on track. The recent scans are clear and her airway is open! Last weekend, she went to Cincinnati to have the trach removed! Praise Be to God!

A great big THANK YOU to everyone that donated to support this family and help them with that trip to Cincinnati!

Did you know that the skin is the largest organ in the body and covers the body's entire external surface? Here's some good info if you want to check it out.

Winter Dry Skin Care: How to Prevent and How to Nourish Dry skin in winter occurs because of low humidity levels in the air. Learn how to prevent and nourish winter skin: moisturizers, certain supplements and foods along with other tips.

Happy Birthday Laura!!!

Help us wish Elisa a very Happy Birthday.

Help us wish Victoria a Happy Birthday. We hope you had a fabulous day

Help us wish Mandi a very Happy Birthday. We hope you have a great Birthday.

Hope y'all had a great Thankful Thursday!!

Wow, time sure does fly!!
Beverly has been with us for 10 years! Its incredible what she brings to the clinic with her quick wit, bright smile, amazing talent and genuine compassion for those she serves.

CARES is so lucky that she’s part of our family!

Halloween “Holiday” Fun🎃
Can you name the holiday?

Being active helps better your health, your mood, your sleep and more. Recovery is a process that happens one step at a time. Be kind to yourself. Start slow and don't over do. Drink plenty of water. Wear a compression sleeve that fits your correctly if you've had lymph nodes removed.
Your goal is better reached one step at a time because it usually doesn't happen in leaps and bounds. We are here for you along your journey if you need a little help.

Many of the activities that people love doing pre-breast cancer can still be done post-breast cancer, but the key is to be smart and do it safely. Making minor adjustments to the activities we love can still fulfill our need/want of the activity while keeping us safe and healthy.

*pictured – mediven® comfort arm sleeve

National HALEY day! 📢

Since we missed National Health Care Aide Day on October 18, we are dedicating today, HALEY day!

Healthcare aides are talented professionals who work around the clock and in a variety of situations. They are ever-present caregivers for the sickest and neediest portions of the population. Haley is often noted for speed walking around the clinic, making sure everyone’s needs are being met.

We want to take a special moment and thank her for all she does at CARES!! 🥰

Y'all come join Debra for lunch tomorrow if you can. Registration info below.

Our October Lunch and Learn will focus on lymphedema management. The guest speaker is Debra Taylor, PT/CLT, from Cares Health and Wellness. Join us Tuesday, October 24, at noon at the Strada Patient Care Center. RSVP by calling 251-445-9691 or register online to join by Zoom. https://usahealth.mobi/mcilunchlearnzoom

So what do Physical Therapist Assistants Do❓❓❓❓❓

Physical therapist assistants provide physical therapist services under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. PTAs implement components of patient care, obtain data related to the treatments provided, and collaborate with the PT to modify care as necessary.

PTAs can have a profound effect on people’s lives. They help people achieve fitness goals, regain or maintain their independence, and lead active lives.

We are blessed to have SO many amazing PTAs on staff at CARES Health & Wellness! Each bring a unique perspective to our patients. We want to take a moment to honor them during physical therapy awareness month! 🥰

Did you know October is Physical Therapy Awareness Month ⁉️

Physical therapists are movement experts who improve quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education.

Physical therapists can have a profound effect on people’s lives. They help people achieve fitness goals, regain or maintain their independence, and lead active lives.

We are blessed to have 2 amazing Physical Therapists on staff, along with our founding PT, Debra Taylor.

We want to take a moment to celebrate them this month!!

As well as our amazing PTAs… make sure to be on the look out for their post in the upcoming days!! 👀

Happy birthday Heather !!!

🎂🥳🎉🎊🎈

Help us with her a very happy birthday today!!

👏🏻 It’s National Boss’s Day 👏🏻

Boss’s Day is dedicated to the employees who dedicate their lives to supporting staff and their employers!

We want to take a moment to recognize Hope, who carries much more than a supervisory position here at CARES!

Thank you Hope for being a true rock at CARES! You’ve helped us grow and improve in numerous ways over the years and we are unbelievably grateful for all your contributions and sacrifices you make each day to keep our clinic running!! 🤍

We are also in FULL support of your shopping hobby. 😜

Great morning at
Bras across the CAUSEway!

October is !!! Help us celebrate Monday on World Spine Day!

Our very favorite food truck will even be here. 🙌🏼🥰

We are so blessed to have such amazing people walk through our doors!! Because of the support we had during the month of September, we were able to raise enough money to help this family get to Cincinnati in November for Mary Davis’ follow up visits.  THANK YOU!!
The CARES team took “a pie in the face” to reach our goal. If you misses the live stream, here’s some of the pics from this afternoon’s fun.

We are so thankful for Mandi and all she does!!! 🥰

Let’s take a moment to celebrate her role at CARES Health and Wellness and also learn a few fun things about her!!