AQUATIC CENTER: Changes will harm vulnerable seniors

An 80 year-old with joint replacements; a mid-aged woman recovering from a stroke; a woman with a lower leg amputation; a man who must be lowered into z pool with a chair; heart patients building their stamina, many with fibromyalgia and arthritis incapable of typical “land” exercises... all are patients using the McGrane Rehabilitation Center’s “Terrill Aquatic Center” at Kootenai Health.

Senior citizens on SSN, disadvantaged using Medicaid, and all mentioned above were shocked to learn that the therapy pool will drastically reduce hours starting January while greatly increasing costs.

The aquatic center includes a therapy pool usually heated to 90+ degrees for use by those unable to use standard “land” exercise machines. Its official name is “The Mildred and Everett Terrill Aquatic Center” in honor of the parents of longtime Kootenai Health Foundation board member Jim Terrill of Mullan, who donated a significant amount to its construction (along with individual donations from community members).

The increase from $5 per session to $15 is a huge jump! Decreased services include discontinued dry gym use, and Independent Water Sessions reduced from four hours on four days per week to two hours on two days. Classes may be offered for one hour three days per week, but many can’t participate in formal classes.

Since many retirees live here, accessibility changes at a place for regular exercise will increase mobility issues locally.

The letter announcing the changes claimed they were “to better serve our patients and community,” but we believe it will force the older and disabled population into undesirable alternatives, like the Kroc (no 90-degree pool option), or private gyms (often with no pool and/or cost-prohibitive).

CONNIE and BILL ARTHUR
Dalton Gardens