Arthritis Foundation
Self-Help Program
What is the Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Program?
The Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Program is a group education program designed to help people with arthritis learn and practice skills for creating individualized self-management plans. Classes are held for two hours once a week for six weeks. This program is available in Spanish.
The Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Program was developed through research done by Dr. Kate Lorig of Stanford University and is managed locally by the Greater Southwest Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. Results of the research on the Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Program earned it the “evidence-based” title and allows participants to get predictably positive results if they attend most or all of the six sessions.
Taught by?
This program is taught by trained volunteers, many of whom have arthritis or fibromyalgia themselves.
In New Mexico there are periodic Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Programs offered in Sandoval and Santa Fe counties. For a by-county map of all evidence-based programs click here.
Learn to:
- Identify and teach the latest pain-management techniques
- Develop your own individualized exercise program
- Manage fatigue and stress more effectively
- Discuss the purposes and effective use of medications
- Identify solutions to problems caused by your arthritis
- Deal with anger, fear, frustration and depression
- Understand the role of nutrition in arthritis management
- Effectively communicate with family and friends
- Form a partnership with your health-care team
Need More Information?
For more information about how to join an existing program or how to start a new program in your county, contact the Greater Southwest Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation at 505.883.0343 OR New Mexico Department of Health Arthritis Program at 505.841.5819.