Maryland
Arthritis Project
Educational Programs
Using CDC funding, the DHMH awarded mini-grants to local health departments and local area agencies on aging. In addition, DHMH granted funding to the Arthritis Foundation to train leaders to conduct self-help classes.
The mini-grantees conduct evidence-based exercise and aquatics classes and educational workshops in the community.
Arthritis Foundation Programs
The Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program (AFEP) and Arthritis Foundation Aquatics Program (AFAP) are composed of gentle exercises lead by trained instructors. These programs are designed specifically for people with arthritis.
The Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program
This program is tailored to meet the needs of various levels of fitness. Exercises are done while sitting, standing, or positioned on the floor.
The Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program
This program allows people with arthritis to exercise without putting excess strain on their joints and muscles. The warm water is particularly soothing.
Read real success stories about our participants
Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program developed by Stanford University, is a workshop given two and a half hours, once a week, for six weeks, in community settings such as senior centers, churches, libraries and hospitals. People with different chronic health problems attend together. Workshops are facilitated by two trained leaders, one or both of whom are non-health professionals with a chronic diseases themselves. The CDSMP has been shown to reduce arthritis-related pain by 20 percent and decrease doctor visits by 40 percent.
Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Program
The Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Program is a group education program designed to complement the care provided by your health-care team and allow you to share experiences with others. Trained volunteers, many of whom have arthritis or fibromyalgia, lead the courses. The Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Program is designed to:
- Identify and teach you the latest pain management techniques,
- Help you develop your own individualized exercise program,
- Help you learn to manage fatigue and stress more effectively,
- Discuss the purposes and effective use of medications,
- Help you find solutions to problems caused by your arthritis,
- Identify ways to deal with anger, fear, frustration and depression,
- Discuss the role of nutrition in arthritis management,
- Help you learn new ways to communicate with family and friends and
- Teach you how to form a partnership with your health-care team