What an amazing organization! Better known as Pools of Hope, this aquatic facility truly does bring "hope" to hundreds of individuals with special health needs. Children with physical and developmental disabilities, seniors with aging concerns, adults with injuries and disabilities, and veterans, all have a place at Pools of Hope to improve their well-being. The warm water pools are enclosed for year-round usage, and they enable residents to exercise and rehabilitate in a safe environment (particularly important for those who can not engage in physical activity on land). The facility has lifts for those in a wheelchair and improves strength, muscle definition and mobility for many people who have limited mobility. Pools of Hope offers programming on a sliding pay scale and assists those whose insurance does not support aquatic therapy. The Pools of Hope also offers nutrition and wellness education so that people of all ages and all abilities can live their best lives!!!
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The California Aquatic Therapy & Wellness Center is better known in the North Long Beach community as Pools of Hope. Aptly named, these warm water pools truly bring hope to those who are experiencing ailments, pain or discomfort from aging, disease, or a disability. Everyone who goes to Pools of Hope is uplifted, feels better and has an improved quality of life. The seniors participate in programming that reduces isolation and promotes a healthy lifestyle. The children participate in services that foster inclusion, enabling those with a physical or developmental disability to engage in physical activities that strengthen muscles and improve mobility, while being social with other kids of varying abilities. Veterans are able to get vital rehabilitative services with no wait-times. Pools of Hope is truly a magnificent organization, and a unique one-of-a-kind venue for the community to be brought together year-round.
I am a disable veteran who suffers from back and hip pain along with issue with my right leg. Coming here for almost a year, I have gain more mobility in stretching out my hips and finding ways to rehabilitate my back and hip. The team here is amazing and very understanding with limitations and strengthing my weakness.
Pools of Hope is an amazing organization. From the moment you enter the building, you have a sense of joy in seeing people reaching their best personal health - regardless of age or ability, the warm water pools offer relief to all individuals. The excellent staff are welcoming and professional, and it is obvious that the entire organization is committed to improving health and well-being for the whole community.
It was January 2003 and my partner of 27 years died from a heart attack. I found myself moping around the house. I saw an article about Pools of Hope and joined the morning exercise class. It not only gave me physical exercise which improved my diabetes and arthritis but gave me a social outing which I needed.
Nearly seven years ago I was referred to Pools of Hope by my doctor for severe back pain. I was a 50 year old woman at that time and I used the pool up to 3 x a week for one through two months hoping to get some relief from the back pain that I had been suffering with through the exercise program. I believe that if there had of been an exercise leader who better understood the elderly community and some of their limitations I believe my needs would had been better met. The program did not taylor the program age appropriate thereby leaving some of us to just take what we'd learned and saw to drop out of the group and go it alone as the class moved at a very fast pace and refused to slow down. I truly hope that they have made some adjustments since that time because the Pools of Hope was definitely some help to me.
I have signed two of my kids up during their summer camp. My kids did not know how to swim prior to starting. Once the summer camp was over my kids not only knew how to swim but they had also learned the different strokes of swimming. CA. Aquatic Therapy & Wellness Center is a great place for people of all ages and abilities.
The Pools of Hope and the staff is amazing. The director Pat Dixon is one of the most respectful and courteous people that you ever want to meet. If it wasn't for two of the Swim Instructors/Life Guards there; Christine and Marcellus I would still be struggling with my childhood fear of water. I am a 49 year old mother of four that could not swim at all until recently. My traumatic experience as a child caused me to fear water so bad to the point that I was missing out on any life experiences that included water. I felt that I was unteachable when it came to swimming because many before them have tried to teach me. These two have worked so diligently with me and have been more than patient. Their teaching skills are exceptional & I trust them. So to date, I can dog paddle, float, bob holding my breath, swim under and on top of the water and I am swimming laps. I still have a lot to learn and to perfect but this is truly a milestone and i'm so grateful to Pat and her staff. If theres anyone out there like me, this is the place to be. The POOlS OF HOPE can give you hope!!!
My son Jonathan has been attending Calif Aquatic Therapy close to fifteen years, he is afflicted with cerebral palsy. The staff at this facility are very attentive to his needs, he truly loves going there every Saturday morning, there are countless mornings he would go and after his session I can see a clear transformation in spirit and his physical alignment. The facility is very affordable, and well maintain. I travel over thirty minuters, four different freeways, every Saturday morning for my son to play and workout in the pool. Finding this facility was a true blessing.
Thank you Calif Aquatic Center
Duke T.
My son enjoys attending CA Aquatic Therapy. He is on the ASD spectrum and is able to enjoy the warm water therapy, swim lessons and nice instructors. This is a community plus.
I have 2 types of arthritis , including rheumatoid arthritis. The fact is, moving my body hurts. But , not moving it, hurts more ! What a dilemma ; however, the aquatic therapy I am able to do at this organization is a win-win situation! It's kind of like how an astronaut experiences weightlessness. A kinder gentler way to exercise without injuring the joints. The water is most definitely warm ! To be honest, I feel it is too warm if anything. Especially in the hot weather. It is 94 degrees, which is hotter than any other therapy pool is going to be. Warm water helps the chronic pain & arthritis as well as many other conditions. I do wish they would turn it down a notch in the hot weather. But the overall experience and what they offer far outweighs my personal feelings on that.
Which is why I am giving it 5 stars.
The other patrons are extremely nice, and so it is an accepting and joyful place to be. Over 99% of the people I have met there over the years, say it is the best thing they do for themselves and that includes me. I have personally lived my own remarkable results of participating here, and have witnessed darn near miracles in many other people. People who no longer need a walker or a cane, children who have autism who improve in amazing ways..I could go on and on.
They have ramps & chair lifts and many forms of assistance for any number of disabilities.