ASHC PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION 

The Arthritis Self-Help Course is designed to augment professional services provided by the health care system. It can be effectively delivered at low cost by non-traditional care-givers - trained lay volunteers. The ASHC is a group education programme, maximizing its efficiency and providing an opportunity for mutual peer support. Self-help involves the willingness to learn about and to assume responsibility for the daily care of one's arthritis. It includes all the decisions a person must make, and actions he or she takes to keep the arthritis under control and to stay as independent as possible. Consistent with this self-help philosophy, the Arthritis Self-Help Course is designed to give people with arthritis the knowledge and skills needed to take a more active part in their arthritis care. 

PROGRAMME GOALS

The Arthritis Self-Help Course is designed to: 
1. Inform participants about basic aspects of arthritis and joint anatomy. 
2. Teach participants principles of exercise and provide an opportunity to practice stretching and strengthening exercises. 
3. Teach principles of joint protection and energy conservation and provide an opportunity to share ideas about improving one's functional ability. 
4. Teach participants the appropriate utilization of arthritis medications. 
5. Encourage informed decisions about the use of special diets or unproven forms of treatment.
6. Encourage participants to take an active role in arthritis management and make appropriate use of arthritis care providers. 
7. Encourage sharing of experiences and group problem-solving. 
8. Provide an opportunity for learning and practising stress management and other self-help behaviours designed to decrease stress, pain and depression. 

COURSE CONTENT AND PROCESS

The ASHC is taught over six consecutive weeks in sessions lasting from 2-2 1/2 hours per week. The instructional methods used in the course include lecture/discussion, role-playing, brainstorming and demonstration. Active participation by the course members and experiential learning are emphasized. The class size is usually limited to about 20 people to encourage group discussions. The course content includes: 
o Arthritis/Joint Anatomy 
o Self-Help Principles 
o Joint Protection/Energy Conservation 
o Pain Control 
o Exercise 
o Relaxation 
o Medications 
o Dealing with depression and other problems 
o Doctor-Patient Relationship 
o Nutrition 
o Unproven Remedies 

The content and process of the Arthritis Self-Help Course are standardized, as outlined in the ASHC Leader's Manual and the supplementary textbook. The Arthritis Help-book, by Kate Lorig, R.M.,Dr. P.H. and James Fries, M.D.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? 

Any person having one of the more than 200 types of arthritis may attend. A spouse, other family member or friend may accompany this person as a registered member of the class. In fact/ participation by "significant others" is encouraged/ as these people not only play an important role in the support and care of the person with arthritis/ but also feel a personal impact from being so closely associated with the disease. 

WHO CONDUCTS THE PROGRAMME 

The ASHC classes are usually conducted by two leaders. Only persons who have successfully completed an ASHC Leader Training Workshop conducted by an approved trainer are eligible to conduct this programme. Professional or lay persons who have a genuine interest in working with groups of people with arthritis/ and who are willing to lead a six-week course/ are eligible to attend the 16-20 hour training workshop. All leaders agree to follow the standardized course outline to ensure the continued quality of the program. 

LOGISTICAL CONSIDERATIONS 

The course should be held in a facility accessible to the physically handicapped. A safe/ central location accessible by major highways and public transportation is desirable. The meeting room should be large enough to accommodate 15-20 chairs in a circle with plenty of room in which to move. Because of the relaxation and exercise components, a carpeted area is also desirable. Chairs should be easy to get in and out of and comfortable. Necessary equipment and supplies include a blackboard easel and flipchart, refreshments and name tags. Participants receive a copy of The Arthritis Helpbook and a set of handouts and pamphlets distributed by the Arthritis Foundation. Course participants are charged a fee to cover expenses of The Arthritis Helpbook. 

WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS? 

If you are interested in getting involved with the Arthritis Self-Help Course as a: 

o Class participant 
o Course leader/ or 
o Co-sponsor (assisting with publicity and recruitment of class participants and/or leaders; providing a meeting room, refreshments, supplies, funding, etc.), please contact: ASHC Programme Co-ordinator ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION (Head Office) PO Box 6775 Roggebaai 8012 Tel. (021) 25-4738 or 25-2344 Fax (021) 21-7330

ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION National Head Office 709 Tulbagh Centre Foreshore Cape Town P.O. Box 6775 8012 Roggebaai Tel. (021) 25-2344 ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION Johannesburg Office Room 4M05 Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery Parktown Medical School York Road 2193 Parktown Tel. (011) 647-2346 ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION Port Elizabeth Office 190 Greenacres Village 6045 Port Elizabeth Tel. (041) 33-7566 ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION Pretoria Office P.O. Box 73242 Lynwood Ridge 0040 Pretoria Tel. (012) 46-8445 ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION Western Cape (Regional Office) 705 Tulbagh Centre Hans Strijdom Avenue 8001 Cape Town Tel. (021) 25-4738

The Receiver of Revenue has granted the ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION exemption from taxes. Their letter dated 7th February 1975 states that all receipts are exempt from income tax; donations to and from the Foundation are exempt from donations tax; bequests or accruals from estates of deceased persons are exempt from estate duty; also any instrument which is executed by the Foundation is exempt from stamp duty. 

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