|
|
spring 2007 |
 |
|
h
e a l t h P R O M O T I O N
Arthritis: The
disease that keeps on taking
Of the more than 40,000
hip and knee replacements done in Canada in 2000/01, over 80 per cent
had an arthritis related diagnosis.
|
|
|
|
By Beverly Byrd |
|
Of the more than 40,000 hip and knee
replacements done in Canada in 2000/01, over 80 per cent had an
arthritis related diagnosis.
When arthritis is viewed in this light, it
becomes considerably more relevant (and urgent) in the broad spectrum of
health care. It is much more than a few aches and pains we all get as we
age.
Health care professionals are spending
more and more time diagnosing, treating and making referrals for people
with arthritis, a trend that is only going to increase as the population
ages.
In Newfoundland and Labrador alone, 94,000
people have been diagnosed with arthritis, making it the most common
chronic condition in the province. One factor that is common to all
types of arthritis is that early diagnoses, interventions and treatment
greatly improve the chances of preventing disability.
The Arthritis
Society – Newfoundland and Labrador Division has been active in our
province since the late 1970’s and for more than 12 years we have
provided province-wide programs and services through our office in St.
John’s and through branches throughout the province. These programs and
services have been developed to make the lives of those living with this
debilitating disease considerably more bearable. Following is a list of
programs and services.
*Arthritis Self-Management Program (ASMP)
ASMP is a proven six-week program designed to help people manage their
arthritis more effectively to enhance and complement their medical
treatment. Participants pay a small registration fee.
*Chronic Pain Management Program (CPM)
A single, two –hour course that focuses on one component of ASMP: pain
management.
Workshops – a hands-on approach to
arthritis care
Workshops feature specialists and other guest speakers as well as
demonstrations and free arthritis materials for participants.
Exercise Programs
Our Gander branch sponsors its own warm pool program. We have also
worked with other pools in the province to help them develop the proper
curriculum, such as the Aquarena and CBN pool.
Speakers Bureau
Trained volunteers provide arthritis educational presentations to groups
of any size. This service is available by request through our division
office, in St. John’s.
Arthritis Resource and Research Library
Educational videos, books, slides, pamphlets, periodicals and journals
about arthritis and related topics can be borrowed at no cost. Our St.
John’s office has an arthritis research library that is continually
being expanded and is available for anyone to use by appointment.
Arthritis information Line
The information line provides information, support and referrals to
local programs and services for people with arthritis, their families
and friends, as well as allied health professionals. Call toll free:
1-800-321-1433.
Health Fairs, Forums & Seminars
Topics discussed include the different types and aspects of arthritis.
People with arthritis are encouraged to bring their family members to
these events.
Arthritis Canada web site
The Arthritis Society’s award-winning web site serves as a virtual
arthritis encyclopedia on the Internet. Check out the
Newfoundland and
Labrador Division’s site.
Support Groups
Information on local community support groups throughout the province is
available for people with arthritis. Members share experiences,
information, provide mutual support and socialize in a comfortable
setting with other people who have arthritis.
Newfoundland and Labrador Division
Newsletter – The News “Rheum”
These informative newsletters for people with arthritis are provided as
a membership benefit of the
Newfoundland
and Labrador Arthritis Registry. Membership is free!
Grade 5 Arthritis Program:
Understanding Arthritis
A new program aimed at teaching children about arthritis. This is a new
program that has been developed and will be implemented in the upcoming
year.
Arthritis in the Workplace
A short lunch and learn with topics to benefit employees and employers
in the workplace.
*The Society’s ‘Flagship’ Programs still
remain The Arthritis Self-Management Program (ASMP) and our Chronic Pain
Management Program (CPM), which cover the following topics:
-
How to work with your doctor and
health care team.
-
Taking arthritis medications.
-
Managing pain.
-
Exercising and eating healthy with
arthritis.
-
Protecting joints and preventing
fatigue.
-
Dealing with stress and
depression-problem solving.
The NLMA, Arthritis Society – NL Division,
and Professional Development and Conferencing Services at Memorial’s
Faculty of Medicine are collaborating in the development of a CME
program on the diagnosis, treatment and appropriate referral of
arthritis patients. The CME will be launched June 1 at the NLMA’s annual
meeting at the GEO Centre in St. John’s. Watch the NLMA website
for details of the program coming soon.
Beverly Byrd is Executive Director of the
Arthritis Society – Newfoundland and Labrador Division. This is the
first of a series of articles on arthritis for Nexus.
|
