Going to a Fitness Centre or Therapeutic Pool?
Here are some tips to help you plan an outing to a fitness centre or therapeutic pool. If you have questions or require further assistance, contact the therapeutic recreationist or other member of the health team at your rehab facility. You can also contact the staff of the fitness centre/therapeutic pool to get specific information about their programs and facilities.
- Is the fitness equipment accessible? Do the fitness station seats move to the side? Can you wheel up to the equipment and use it from your wheelchair?
- Is the pool wheelchair accessible? Is there a ramp into the pool? Are there pool chairs available? If needed, is there a lift into the pool?
- Are the change rooms and washrooms accessible?
- Are there attendants available to assist with dressing/undressing and/or transferring, etc.?
- If needed, is there an elevator available that will accommodate a wheelchair?
- Would you benefit from a therapeutic pool or a regular heated pool (approximately 82ºF to 86ºF or 28ºC to 30ºC)?
- Do you need a Hoyer lift in order to get into the pool wheelchair?
- Can your attendant get into the facility free-of-charge?
- Are there special needs subsidies or discounted rates you can access?
- Does the staff have experience working with special needs populations?
- Is the cost of the program covered by your health benefits, worker safety insurance or motor vehicle insurance?
- Are swim assessments offered by staff to determine safety, the need for floatation devices / water shoes and/or the need for supervision while in the pool?
- Are fitness assessments offered by staff to demonstrate and provide education on how to use the fitness equipment?
- Do you need to fill out a physician consent form in order to be eligible for membership?
- Are there opportunities to tour the facility? Don’t forget to ask the above questions prior to becoming a member.
- Do not access a therapeutic pool if you have any of the following:
- open wounds/skin lesions
- unmanaged bowel and/or bladder
- active infectious communicable diseas (for example, MRSA)
- gastro-intestinal (GI) problems