Community Care in the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Summary

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disabling disorder but the majority of sufferers continue to live and function in the community. The success of this social integration can be considerably enhanced by adequate support from the rehabilitation team. Help with housing, aids, appliances and equipment, and with joint protection is available. Voluntary organizations have an important self-help role.

Résumé

La polyarthrite rhumatoïde est une affection chronique aboutissant à l'impotence mais la majorité des malades continuent de mener une vie communautaire à laquelle ils participent. Le succès de cette intégration sociale peut se trouver considérablement renforcée par un soutien adéquat de la part d'une équipe de réhabilitation. Il est en effet possible d'obtenir une assistance quant au logement, des aides, des appareils et du matériel, et une protection des articulations. Des organisations bénévoles jouent aussi un rôle important en matière d'efforts personnels.

Zusammenfassung

Arthritis Rheumatica ist ein chronisches, lähmendes Leiden und dennoch nehmen die Leidenden am Leben und der Tätigkeit der Gesellschaft aktiv teil. Der Erfolg solcher sozialen Integration kann erheblich gesteigert werden durch ausreichende Unterstützung von seiten des Rehabilitationsteams. Hilfe mit Wohnungen. Hilfsmitteln, Geräten und Ausrüstung sowie Gelenksschutz ist vorhanden. Freiwillige Organisationen spielen eine grosse Rolle bei der Selbsthilfe.

Key Words:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Rehabilitation
• Home care services
• Self-help devices
• Activities of daily living
• Self-help groups

Additional information

Notes on contributors

A. K. Clarke

It is with great sadness that we have to inform the readership of the Journal that shortly after completing the final editorial work on this Special Issue, Professor Kalman Jacob Mann was seriously injured in a car accident and subsequently died.

Professor Mann was responsible for establishing the two Hadassah Hospitals and Community Health Centres in Jerusalem and for the past 20 years headed the Presidium of Yad Sarah, Israel's largest community based, volunteer operated organization which provides a spectrum of free or nominal cost home care services nation-wide.

We offer our condolences to his family and friends, and trust that this Special Issue stands as a testament to his work in the field.