Plums and prunes was my preferred title for this post, however, I'm sure Gram wouldn't like it. I'm the plum and well you guessed it... I'm not going to say the rest.
So before the Medicare coverage of physical therapy ended, Gram managed to get a couple of
Aqua Therapy sessions in. My understanding is that Medicare will ONLY pay for therapy if improvements are documented following an injury like a hip repair and also if the facility has a pool. One might want to check out their local YWCA or fitness club to inquire if their pool is heated and also check with your loved ones' doctor first to ensure everyone is in agreement on pool activities. I'm always trying to do my best especially for her and if I have to bull dog my way through to get it ~ I will. Ask, ask all questions, all possibilities.
Weeks and weeks,
Pam Bennett (Therapist Extraordinaire at
Chelsea Wellness Center) and I prompted Gram to partake in the warm pool in addition to her regular PT. Clearly she stated NO! Until the
Aricept took action, it seemed because all of a sudden one day after my last heartfelt attempt of changing her mind she sweetly said, "I've been thinking it's been years since I was in a pool, how about going swimming in that heated pool you've been talking about?" Hallelujah! Geez' Louis, it's only taken about four weeks of constant harping to get us to this point.
Oh no, now she needs a bathing suit. Thinking this would alter her decision ~ I feared a shopping mall experience would put a damper in this plan though with all her weight loss over the past few months, what size to buy? What suit would she be willing to settle on, because I know this is a huge hurdle to overcome? Checked with the facility to ensure the "bathing suit" requirement and yes, but worst case she could put a t-shirt over it.
Trekked off to find her one and decided on a blue flowered one with a little tutu. (Don't get the tutu type... in the water, the tutu floats up and becomes an issue especially with sensations and trying to perform therapy.) Felt like I had 0.5 seconds to acquire one before she forget her decision to swim. Well intuition was right, by the time I got back, she had. But I didn't go through all this for nuttin' honey! Without too much arguing, she finally believed me that it was her decision to participate in
Aqua Therapy that's why I got the suit. What hassles this included, move onto the next step - suiting up.
So standing in the bathroom with Gram, suit in hand insisting on a try-on before we go; Gram informs me that she's not getting in the pool unless I do. What! That's not fair to force this beached whale back into the water... the things we do for love. Finally, I do agree but admit that she's forcing me because I really want her into the pool, I agree. Gram looked really cute in her suit and like I said, the tutu was nice until it's in the water. A tip though for those tutu suits, tuck the edge up into your hips after you get in the water, helps to stop the floating skirt.
Little did I know that the facility had the intention of teaching me how to help her exercise in the
aqua pool... So our first therapy session, we take loads of extra time in the "shower dressing area". Gram is trying everything to slow down this process and I'm working hard to not be frustrated and its really frustrating. We finally make it to the pool and I walk into this warm pool. The pool is already loaded with quite a number of geriatric ladies, one with a cool pool caps with rubber petal flowers on the top (geez I hate those things ithe cap thingy). The aqua therapist, whom I forget his name, instructs Gram to sit in a chair that is attached to the side of the pool.
He explains the processes he wants her to do today and the "rules" that apply. Always in her case Gram is only allowed 30 minutes at a time in any given session; a precaution for her heart condition. Warm water along with pool exercise is really taxing on the system even if it doesn't feel that way to the individual. Now here's where I come in, I'm going to help her balance in the pool, take her pulse (keeping her around 60 bpm) every so ofteb, and be there is if panic sets in.
Gram sits on this chair and with turning a knob, the chair slowly pivets and rotates her swirling downward towards the pool. Once in the pool, all it took was about a full minute to recover from the sensation of the chair's movement and landing in the pool. She fears briefly that her feet won't touch the bottom and they do but ha-ha she begins to float away. She struggles with traying to stand with her feet on the bottom of the pool and I instinctively grab her at her waist holding on. Weights are suggested for her ankles. We try a set, no hope. We get a heavier set - ahh that works much better. Gram's still has issues with floating away but that's also because she's not used to the work her muscles have to do he said.
So here's the really cool part and about where I'm going to let the pictures below speak for me - she smiled and smiled. Gram really enjoyed herself in fact, she lite up like a kid at Christmas. She was having a ball until her half hour was over. Needless to say, we didn't have this slow-mo issue the next time we have an aqua session. She was all for getting wet.
Keep in mind, Aqua Therapy is really awesome for several very good reasons, specially for hip replacement treatment and endurance building because: one, you can't break any bones in water, two your weight is dispersed by the water so there's no muscle strain and thirdly, it's warm water! Also, if your loved one is allowed aqua therapy, offer to go in if your case is similar to Gram and me. A therapeutic pool such as this one would probably benefit a lot for someone in early stages of Alzheimer's ~ mind you not by themselves.
I felt so at peace and harmony with Gram while in the pool. This took me to a higher level in my caregiving and loving her - at least while we were in the pool - smirk!
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
We are facing a public health and social care emergency - immediate action is needed!
