Dear Editor:
We, the citizens of Cochrane and surrounding area stand on the brink of a great opportunity to benefit our citizens. As part of the new pool project, a warm water therapy pool should be incorporated.
We have an aging population with increasing problems with arthritic conditions and evolving neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.
The benefits of warm water therapy have been known since Roman times, substantiated by modern evidence. There is clear proof of pain relief from stiff joints, improved balance and coordination with increased muscle mass, increased bone density with associated diminished risk of fractures, not to mention the improved sense of well being.
Such benefits would allow for prolonged independence for our more senior citizens and people with disabilities, ultimately saving health care dollars.
Presently only such pools are at the Children’s Hospital and VRRI, not accessible to most of us. We have an aging population, “build it and they will come”, it will pay for itself.
Dr. John Bauman,
assistant orthopedic
clinical professor,
University of Calgary
