About 46 million adults and 300,000 children in the United States have some form of arthritis. It is among the nation’s most common causes of disability.
May is National Arthritis Month. Join the Arthritis Foundation in celebrating more than 60 years of advocacy for those with this condition.
- Give presentations on the importance of exercise for the elderly. Offer to distribute flyers and even sponsor a Tai Chi demonstration in all your senior referral-generating facilities and local hospitals. Start here to learn more about Tai Chi and how it can benefit those with arthritis.
- Volunteer to teach a free arthritis awareness class at a local senior center. Start with a visit to the website of the Arthritis Foundation to get tons of information about the condition. Form your game plan and then spread the word, taking care to highlight the services you offer that are specific to arthritis care. Have arthritis-specific brochures on hand to further convey that message.
- Older people, especially those with arthritis, are at increased risk of suffering a fall. Contact a local church group that focuses on seniors and offer to teach a class on fall prevention. Call 866-232-6477 for pricing on single-topic pricing. Be sure to let them know about fall prevention assessments your agency can provide.
- Partner with a local orthopedist to have discussion group sessions in local churches on the need for seniors to stay active. Offer free gait and balance screenings if appropriate.
- World Autoimmune/Autoinflammatory Arthritis Day is May 20. Distribute this list of early symptoms of autoimmune arthritis from the International Foundation for Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Diseases to general practitioner offices in the community along with materials for your company.
- Become an advocate for arthritis education and support your local Walk to Cure Arthritis. Find an event in your community and learn how you can make a difference in the lives of those with arthritis by visiting the sponsor organization’s website. As you drum up support for the walk among seniors in your community, make a walking plan available for those who don’t regularly walk. Find lots more information about arthritis and physical activity here.