Eastern Missouri Regional Arthritis Center

The Eastern Missouri Regional Arthritis Center (EMRAC) is one of seven such regional centers established in Missouri by the Department of Health.

The center is designed to offer arthritis education programs to community members, allied health professionals, and physicians. It is located at the Arthritis Foundation in St. Louis, MO.

The center serves the greater St. Louis area and 11 counties including: Crawford, Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, Pike, St. Charles, St. Francois, St. Genevieve, St. Louis, Warren, and Washington.

The mission of the Missouri Arthritis Project and the Regional Arthritis Centers is to reduce the burden of rheumatic disease by promoting optimal health and quality of life for all Missourians affected by arthritis, rheumatic diseases and related musculoskeletal conditions through prevention, early intervention, education, service and collaboration.

Services available at the Regional Arthritis Center:

Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program (AFEP)  A program designed specifically for people with arthritis, taught by certified instructors throughout the Eastern Missouri service area. 

Arthritis Foundation Aquatics Program (AFAP)  A warm water exercise program designed for people with arthritis, taught by certified instrutors throughout the Eastern Missouri service area.

Juvenile Arthritis Programs and Services   Educational and recreational events for children with arthritis and their families, including the JA Fall Fun Day on October 17, 2010 and Cabin Fever on February 5, 2011.  Free literature, information and referral services and other educational programs avaialble.

Newsletter  A free e-newsletter is distributed monthly with columns such as "Ask the Physician" and a calendar of upcoming events and programs.

Physician Referral Directory  A listing of board certified rheumatologists is available upon request.

Free Literature  Over 100 different free brohures are available on topics such as Osteoarthritis, Nutrition and Managing Fatigue.  Books and DVDs are available for a low cost.

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program A six week class led by certified instructors full of tools to manage a chronic disease, such as arthritis, that includes topics such as Nutrition, Communication with Healthcare Providers and Action Plans.

Arthritis Self-Help Tool-Kit  A toolkit full of resources to manage arthritis, such as an exercise cd and the Arthritis Helpbook.

Financial Assistance and Durable Medical Equipment Scholarships  For those that qualify, help is available for arthritis medications, Arthritis Foundation classes and to purchase durable medical equipement.

For additional information, please visit:  www.easternmissouri.arthritis.org

 

 

Missouri Osteoporosis Foundation Support Group

The Missouri Osteoporosis Foundation offers a monthly Osteoporosis Support Group the second Thursday of each month at 1:30 pm at the Richmond Heights Community Center in St. Louis, MO.

The next meeting is Thursday, January 12 at 1:30 pm:

"Who Gets Grandma's Yellow Pie Plate"

with Marcia Mermelstein, MSW

To reserve your spot, please call Alice at (314) 270-7148

Upcoming Meetings:

February 9--Osteoporosis Update

March 8--Getting the Most Out of Your Prescription Lenses

NEW Tai Chi for Arthritis class in Jefferson County!

Join certified leader Kate Rueschoff at the NW Jefferson County Senior Resource Center in House Springs, MO for Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention classes. Starting January 9, 2012, classes will meet from 10:30--11:30 am on Mondays and Wednesdays.

For more information on the Tai Chi program, visit the Arthritis Foundation website at www.arthritis.org

For more information and to register for the program at the NW Jefferson County Senior Resource Center, please call (636) 677-4578

June is Sports Injury Awareness Month!

Sports Injuries Put Youth at Risk

June is ‘Sports Injury Awareness’ Month

St. Louis, MO –Nearly 996,000 youth injuries occur annually from family recreational activities such as biking, playground activities and roller sports. In addition, youth sports-related injuries such as basketball, football and soccer account for more than 775,000 hospital emergency room visits each year. With more than 30 million kids participating in organized sports in the United States and countless more engaging in other recreational activities, the Arthritis Foundation urges parents to understand the risk of these injuries leading to arthritis later in life.

“Today’s young athletes may become tomorrow’s osteoarthritis patients, unless parents and coaches take an active role in sports injury prevention,” said John H. Klippel, M.D., president and CEO, Arthritis Foundation.

According to one study, a single knee injury early in life can put a person at five times the risk for osteoarthritis (OA) later in life. A recent study found that of female patients who had obtained an ACL injury by age 19, 50 percent had radiographic knee OA by age 31. For men, the average age for an ACL injury is 24. By age 38, 40 percent of men who have had an ACL injury have knee OA.

Physical activity is important, as it strengthens the muscles that support and help stabilize the joints, reducing the risks for OA. However, certain preventative measures should be taken by coaches and parents to lower a child’s risk of arthritis from sports-related injuries. The Arthritis Foundation offers a few guidelines such as making sure equipment is in good condition and ensuring that training program or recreational activity gives attention to total body fitness.

For more information on sports-injury prevention and OA prevention see the Arthritis Foundation’s ‘Fact and React’ handout.

Eastern Missouri RAC Success Stories!

Check out some uplifting stories of success and achievement from participants in courses offered by the Eastern Missouri Regional Arthritis Center!

To view the stories click here!

Upcoming Leader Training Workshops

Mark your calendars for these upcoming Leader Training Workshops...

• Chronic Disease Self-Management Program Leader Training Workshop on April 14, 15, 18 & 19 at the St. Louis Area Agency on Aging in St. Louis, MO. 
• The Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program Leader Training Workshop on May 3, 2011 in St. Charles, MO

Contact Karen Shoulders at the Arthritis Foundation for more information at (800) 406-2491 or kshoulders@arthritis.org

 

 

2011 Arthritis Walk/Walk with Ease Kick-Off!

The Arthritis Foundation held their annual Arthritis Walk Kick-Off on March 2, 2011 at DeSmet High School in St. Louis, MO.  Almost 100 people attended, with 12 people signing up for more information on how to become a Walk with Ease leader!

 
Honoree Diana Walchshauser signs up to become a Walk with Ease Leader

 
2010 honoree Kayla Killoren and mom Lisa with Arthritis Walk fundraising supplies

 
Great food from St. Louis favorite Hodak's

 
Children enjoyed the carnival games & prizes

2011 Arthritis Walk Kick-Off!

Join us Wednesday, March 2, 2011 for the 2011 Arthritis Walk Kick-Off at DeSmet High School in St. Louis, MO from 5:30--8:00 pm!

Bring your friends & family to hear from 2011 Arthritis Walk Hero Diana Walchshauser, receive all your team fundraising supplies, enjoy St. Louis' favorite fried chicken from Hodak's, play carnival games and win prizes! 

Awards ceremony for 2010 Arthritis Walk fundraisers starts at 7:00 pm.

This event is FREE, but you must RSVP to attend by February 28 to Kim at (314) 991-9333 ext 1301 or krosenth@arthritis.org

See you on March 2!

St. Louis Area JA Support Group Meets 2/21/11

What:    The St. Louis Chapter Juvenile Arthritis Support Group

Where:    First Baptist Church in Arnold, MO (2012 Missouri State Road, Arnold, MO 63010)

When:    Monday, February 21, 2011 from 11:30 am--2:30pm

Join us for a day of fun & getting to know each other.  Bring your lunch or purchase lunch at the cafe for around $7.  Enjoy the pool table, ping pong, foos ball, air hockey, arcade games, trivia and more. 

Please contact Dolores Jensen for more information and to RSVP at jensendb@charter.net or 636-464-5129

St. Louis Area JA Support Group Meets 1/17/2011

What:    The St. Louis Chapter Juvenile Arthritis Support Group's FIRST MEETING!

Where:    First Baptist Church in Arnold, MO

When:    Monday, January 17, 2011 from 11am--2pm

Join us for a day of fun & getting to know each other.  Bring your lunch or purchase lunch at the cafe for around $7.  Enjoy the pool table, ping pong, foos ball, air hockey, arcade games, trivia and more. 

Please contact Dolores Jensen for more information and to RSVP at jensendb@charter.net or 636-464-5129

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program Leader Training

Mark your calendars for a Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) Leader Training on December 6-9, 2010 at Lutheran Church of the Living Christ.  For more information on this program and for registration information, contact Karen Shoulders at the Arthritis Foundation at (800) 406-2491 or kshoulders@arthritis.org