Typically, following evaluation by a land physical therapist, who also establishes the functional goals to be addressed in the pool, the pool physical therapist designs the aquatic program to meet the specific needs of that patient. When the functional goals have been met, the physical therapist may recommend the patient enroll in the recreation swim program, a popular component of the hospital's comprehensive array of outpatient services. The program helps people reduce pain and discomfort while increasing physical function and relaxation in the pool's warm water. People with conditions such as low back pain, arthritis or osteoporosis, or people recovering from stroke or orthopedic injuries, such as knee or back surgery, derive great benefit from the pool. The whole concept of hospitals has changed in recent years, said Mr. Rappaport.
Hospitals embrace the concept of continuing care.
It used to be that a hospital would treat you when you were sick or injured and then release you when you were well. Today, hospitals provide wellness programs and a full continuum of care. Hospitals, like Helen Hayes, have become not only healing centers of care but true community wellness resources. Among our many programs for the community, we sponsor a stroke club, a heart club, an osteoporosis club and an arthritis club. People in the arthritis club, for example, use the warm pool to stay limber.