Aqua Therapy Pool

What an exciting time for the aqua therapy pool! At this point we have three different exercise classes. Also staff, auxiliary members, boardmembers, and approximately fifteen paying members from the community are receiving benefits from the pool through exercise and swimming. The Pioneers, a class for persons who need special attention, is taught by Shamika Lindsey and Tricia Fisher. Our Flexi Class, made up of Independent Residents and persons from the community, is taught by Tricia Fisher. The Rehabilitation Department has aqua physical therapy and aqua occupational therapy. All classes meet two times each week, lasting 45-60 minutes.Comments received from evaluations of classes and thank-you notes include the following

"I just wanted to express my deep appreciation for your willingness to share your
beautiful pool with "outsiders."

"I feel much better, especially my hands and back."

"The exercises are not too difficult, yet strengthening."

"A recent trip with long hours of driving showed that strength and endurance
have greatly since a February trip--more than I realized in day to day or even month
to month experience."

Celebrating New Facilities

Since its opening in September 1999 many residents and their overnight guests have thoroughly enjoyed swimming and doing their own exercise in the Aqua-Therapy Pool. There are early-birds who visit at seven each morning, and the night-owls who prefer late evening. During the day, social services staff members have been introducing the pool to some health unit residents along with others needing assistance. Activities have included Body Recall in water, floating with assistance, walking, and sitting in the whirlpool area.

100-year-old Katherine Ward, pictured in the photo with her arm raised, shares the importance of the Aqua-Therapy pool for her: After two and one-half years of a wheel chair-walker life, I can now stand up! Yes, I can now stand up and walk within my two-room suite, without holding on to anything. I still use my wheel chair and walker for longer movements outside my rooms. Walking is now possible because I joined a class of "at risk" residents who meet twice a week in our Aqua-Therapy pool for exercise. Within the first month of water therapy I took my first steps outside the pool. I look forward to complete healing, because of this pool, made possible by a gift from the Women’s Division of the Board of Global Ministries.

The enclosed and heated 20’ x 48’ pool ranges in depth from 4’ to 6’ with expected water level to be about 6" less. An area for seating with water jets promises to be popular. Entrance into the pool may be by steps, a lift, or ladders. An inside railing encompasses the pool area. The pool is attached to the Bethea building and the Cummings Health Unit for convenient access. An especially pleasant feature is an overhead translucent skylight over the pool area.

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