MO Arthritis

Steps to Better Health Spotlight: Self-Management Education

Self-management classes help teach and reinforce important skills so individuals can properly manage a number of common chronic diseases. Some common chronic health problems include: arthritis, asthma diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, and lung disease. These programs are offered in a classroom-like setting and are led by other people who have chronic health conditions. The Missouri Arthritis and Osteoporosis Program offers four in-person self-management classes: Living a Healthy Life (Chronic Disease Self-Management Program – CDSMP), Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP), Tomando Control de su Salud (Spanish version of CDSMP), and Chronic Pain Self-Management Program (CPSMP).  The Living a Healthy Life and Tomando Control de su Salud classes are available to any person with a chronic disease and/or their caregivers.

Steps to Better Health Spotlight: Walk With Ease

The Walk With Ease program is designed to help individuals stay active in order to comfort joints and relieve arthritis pain. It consists of a basic workout regimen, which may seem scary; however, Walk With Ease is very friendly to those just starting or re-starting physical activity programs. It involves a basic warm-up followed by the main exercise (walking). The program ends each session with a cool down to help calm nerves and ease joint pressure. Walk With Ease is offered in a group setting with a trained instructor.  It is also offered in an independent format – the class is structured the same and you get the same materials, but you complete it on your own time.  You can sign-up for the independent format and still complete the sessions with your friends, family, and co-workers.

Steps to Better Health Spotlight: The Arthritis Toolkit

The Arthritis Toolkit is an at-home kit that allows you to work on your own time and at your own pace. The Toolkit includes The Arthritis Helpbook. This is a guide to many conditions related to arthritis and also describes how best to manage any health problems.

September and October Steps to Better Health Classes

More classes coming to a city near you in September and October 2014!  Do you want to lead a happier, healthier life?  Take the first Step to Better Health and sign up today.

• 9/15-11/6, Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program
• Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:15-11:15 am
• Located at Senior Center of Macon, Macon, MO
• Email nemrac@atsu.edu for more information
  
  
• 9/16-10/21, Living a Healthy Life (CDSMP)
• Tuesdays from 9:00-11:30 am
• Located at First Baptist Church, Ewing, MO
• Register by calling 573-309-3676
• Join for week two!
  
  
• 9/17-10/22, Show Me Better Health (CDSMP)
• Wednesdays from 3:00-5:00 pm
• Located at St. Peter Parish, Jefferson City, MO
• Register by calling Alice at 573-636-8159
• View more information here
  
• 9/23-10/28, Living a Healthy Life (CDSMP)
• Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 am
• Located at East Prairie Nutrition Center, East Prairie, MO
• Register here or call 573-683-2191

• 9/25-10/30, Living a Healthy Life (CDSMP)
• Thursdays from 9:30-11:30 am
• Located at Vintage Oaks, St. Joseph, MO
• Register here or call 816-271-7057
   
• 9/25-10/30, Feel Better Now (CDSMP)
• Thursdays from 10:00 am-12:00 pm
• Located at Wesley United Methodist Church, Springfield, MO
• Register by calling 417-883-0678
  
  
• 9/25-11/6, Living a Healthy Life (CDSMP)
• Thursdays from 5:00-7:30 pm (no class 10/16)
• Located at Northeast Missouri Rural Health Network, Kirksville, MO
• Register here or call 660-626-2049
  
  
• 9/30-11/4, Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP)
• Tuesdays from 1:00-3:00 pm
• Located at MOCH Health Center, Ava, MO
• Register by calling 417-683-4409 or 417-888-6787
  
  
• 9/30-11/4, Feel Better Now (CDSMP)
• Tuesdays from 1:00-3:30 pm
• Located at Faith Community Health, Branson, MO
• Register by calling 417-336-9355
  
  
• 10/1-11/5, Feel Better Now (CDSMP)
• Wednesdays from 1:30-4:00 pm
• Located at Taney County Senior Center, Branson, MO
• Register by calling 417-302-5428
  
  
• 10/3-11/7, Show Me Better Health (CDSMP)
• Fridays from 1:00-3:00 pm
• Located at Burrell Behavioral Health, Sedalia, MO
  
  
• 10/6-11/10, Feel Better Now (CDSMP)
• Mondays from 9:30-11:30 am
• Located at Smith Glynn Callaway Clinic, Springfield, MO
• Register by calling 417-888-6789
  
  
• 10/7-11/11, Feel Better Now (CDSMP)
• Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 am
• Located at Mercy Surgery Center, 4B, Springfield, MO
• Register by calling 417-888-6787
  
  
• 10/7-11/11, Feel Better Now (CDSMP)
• Tuesdays from 9:30 am-12:00 pm
• Located at Lebanon-Laclede County Library (Dan True Room), Lebanon, MO
• Register by calling 417-532-8700
• View more information here
  
• 10/7-11/11, Living a Healthy Life (CDSMP)
• Tuesdays from 2:00-4:00 pm
• Located at Wesley Center, St. Joseph, MO
• Register here or call 816-271-7057
  
  
• 10/13-11/17, Living a Healthy Life (CDSMP)
• Mondays from 9:30-11:30 am
• Located at Saint Francis Medical Center, Cape Girardeau, MO
• Register here or call Heidi at 573-331-5880
  
  
• 10/15-11/19, Living a Healthy Life (CDSMP)
• Wednesdays from 9:00-11:00 am
• Located at Harrison County Health Department, Bethany, MO
• Register here or call Janet at 660-425-6434 or Sarah at 660-425-6324
  
  
• 10/15-11/19, Feel Better Now (CDSMP)
• Wednesdays from 1:00-3:30 pm
• Located at Family Medical Care Center, Springfield, MO
• Register by calling 417-269-3929
  
  
• 10/15-11/19, Feel Better Now (CDSMP)
• Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30 pm
• Located at CoxHealth Surgery Center, Springfield, MO
• Register by calling 417-269-3907
  
  
• 10/16-11/20, Feel Better Now (CDSMP)
• Thursdays from 5:00-7:00 pm
• Located at CoxHealth Outpatient Clinic, Branson, MO
• Register by calling 417-348-8265
  
  
• 10/20-11/24, Living a Healthy Life (CDSMP)
• Mondays from 11:30am-1:30 pm
• Located at Calvin Center, St. Joseph, MO
• Register here or call 816-271-7057

If you would like to learn more about classes coming soon to your area, please feel free to contact your nearest RAC!

Upcoming Classes Near You!

Do you want to lead a happier, healthier life?  Take the first Step to Better Health and sign up today for a class near you!

End the Summer Strong - Stay Active!

With schools resuming classes and Labor Day quickly approaching, it may feel like the summer is ending.  The summer season will continue for the next month (the Autumnal Equinox is September 22), and we continue to have longer days with a few extra hours of sunlight in the morning and in the evening following a traditional workday.  Take the opportunity with the extra sunlight to continue your summer of being active outdoors!

As we mentioned in a recent article, "Walk for Your Health," physical activity is so important for our health. 

Take Control of Your Diabetes

Are you living with type 2 diabetes?  Whether newly diagnosed or working through new or changing symptoms, living with diabetes can be challenging.  Better Choices, Better Health^(R) Diabetes, a program developed by Stanford University and offered by the National Council on Aging, may be just what you're looking for!  This program may help you:

• Understand how to eat with diabetes while still making it enjoyable
• Monitor and manage your blood sugar
• Start or maintain a regular exercise program
• Communicate better with family, friends, and your medical team
• Design your own self-management program

Better Choices, Better Health^(R) Diabetes is currently being offered at NO COST for participants.  This online program requires an internet connection and participants log-on 2-3 times per week for approximately 2 hours total each week.

To learn more about Better Choices, Better Health^(R) Diabetes and to sign-up to participate today, please visit: https://diabetes.selfmanage.org/bcbhds/SignUp.

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Another self-management resource for persons with diabetes living in southwest Missouri, is to take an in-person Diabetes Self-Management Program course.  This course is taught by lay leaders and runs for 2.5 hours each week for 6 weeks.  To learn more about upcoming course offerings in the Springfield and Ava, Missouri areas, please click here or contact Heather Scott, Southwest Missouri RAC Coordinator.

Walk for your Health

How much are you walking each day?  Whether you are just walking or wheeling to the mailbox or to the end of the driveway to get your paper every day, or if you are actively making an effort to go on a walk most days of the week, most of us spend more time than we think on the move.  This is important to our health!  The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (CDC) recommends that all adults, even those with disabilities, get at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of moderate intensity, aerobic physical activity (such as brisk walking) per week.  

Learn to Manage Diabetes and Live Healthy

Free six-week course begins July 2 in Springfield and July 16 in Mountain View.

Are you having trouble managing your diabetes? If you’re not careful, it can lead to life-threatening complications like heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness and even amputation.  To help the community take control of the disease, the Southwest Missouri Regional Arthritis Center will present “Living Healthy with Diabetes,” a six-week course that begins Wednesday, July 2. Participants will learn how to do the following:

• Manage symptoms
• Communicate effectively with doctors and health care professionals
• Lessen frustration
• Fight fatigue and pain
• Eat healthier and read nutrition labels
• Keep blood sugar in check
• Make daily tasks easier

The free course will run from 1-3:30 p.m. each Wednesday starting July 2 through August 6. Each session will be held at Mercy Health Plans, located at 4520 S. National Ave. in Springfield. Space is limited; call (417) 888-6787 to register. 

The Mtn. View class run each Wednesday starting July 16 through August 20 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.  Each session will be held at Mercy-St. Francis at 100 U.S. 60 in Mtn. View.  Space is limited; call (417) 934-7010 to register.

The $20 fee for each course has been waived, thanks to a grant from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Participants will also receive a free book, “Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions.”

Men's Health Month

Anchored by a Congressional health education program, Men’s Health Month is celebrated across the country with screenings, health fairs, media appearances, and other health education and outreach activities.

The purpose of Men’s Health Month is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. This month gives health care providers, public policy makers, the media, and individuals an opportunity to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury. The response has been overwhelming with thousands of awareness activities in the USA and around the globe.

What can you do to get involved with Men’s Health Month and take steps to improve your health? The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends you:

• Get more sleep! – Insufficient sleep is associated with many different chronic conditions like arthritis and hypertension, and could be contributing to other problems. If something is preventing you from sleeping 7-9 hours a night, talk with your healthcare provider about ways to minimize the impact.
• Move More! – Adults need at least 2½ hours of moderate intensity exercise a week. Reaching this goal becomes increasingly difficult, especially with chronic conditions like osteoporosis and diabetes. However, even small amounts of physical activity can reduce pain, stiffness, fatigue, and discomfort. If you’re having trouble getting motivated, or are worried about physical activity while managing a chronic condition, check out our Walk with Ease and Arthritis Exercise programs. These programs are not “one size fits all” and will help you find an exercise regimen that works best for you.  Check out our classes and finds what’s available in your area!
• Stay on top of your game! – Keeping track of your health needs can almost feel like a full time job sometimes, but seeing your healthcare provider regularly can help you detect health problems early. Pay attention to signs and symptoms – keep a running list to bring to your healthcare provider. Don’t hesitate to call and ask if you think something might be serious. Our Living a Healthy Life (a Chronic Disease Self-Management Program) can help you with self-management skills like talking to your doctor, setting goals, and maintaining exercise and nutrition plans. Check out our classes and finds what’s available in your area!
• Get your community involved! – Plan a “Wear Blue” day in your neighborhood or office. Set up a fundraiser for a local Men’s Health organization. Bring your peers together for a softball game or hike in honor of the event. Even the smallest steps can help raise awareness for Men’s Health and spread the word in your community

For men with chronic conditions, check out these resources:

The Man’s Guide to Osteoporosis

Men’s Health Resource Center – Diabetes

Health Screening Guidelines