Did you know that arthritis is the nation’s leading cause of disability?
About one in four adults have arthritis, and more than half of those adults are of working age, according to March 2017 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The percentage of adults whose daily activities, such as lifting a grocery bag or walking to a car, are limited by arthritis has increased by about 20 percent since 2002. And, arthritis is responsible for $81 billion in health care costs annually.
As an independent community pharmacist and trusted health care resource, you can help patients with arthritis manage their symptoms and lower health care costs.
Here are four important ways to help patients at your independent community pharmacy manage the effects of arthritis.
1. Manage arthritis by encouraging physical activity
Physical activity can decrease arthritis pain and improve physical function by 40 percent, according to the CDC’s report. But an alarming one in three adults with arthritis still remain inactive.
Urge your patients with arthritis to get physically active and strive for a healthier weight to help relieve joint pain.
For example, encourage patients to start a routine of walking, swimming or biking to ease pain and get their bodies back in shape.
Motivate patients by helping them set goals and create an exercise regimen that works for them. If they enjoy the exercise, then they’re more likely to do it. Remind patients that they can make exercise fun by doing activities like joining a walking group or taking up gardening.
2. Manage arthritis by offering an arthritis education program
Offering an arthritis education program is a great way to help patients reduce their symptoms, but getting patients to join the program is half the battle.
Adults with arthritis are more likely to attend an education program when its recommended by their physician, so it’s important to work with the physicians in your community.
Once you’ve established a referral system for patients with arthritis, you can start providing education that will help patients gain the confidence and skills to manage the condition.
For example, teach patients about healthy forms of physical activity and how to deal with symptoms like pain, fatigue, anxiety and depression.
3. Manage arthritis by counseling patients
Many patients with arthritis also suffer from conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes or obesity. These comorbidities make it even harder to manage patients’ symptoms.
Patients with comorbidities are often afraid to change their lifestyles due to increased pain and a lack of knowledge on how to safely and effectively manage their conditions.
By counseling these patients on proper medication use, monitoring their anxiety or depression and working with them to safely manage their comorbidities, you just may save their lives.
4. Manage arthritis by providing patients with resources
A number of organizations provide tools and resources that health care providers, including pharmacists, can use to help patients manage their arthritis.
Check out these available resources:
- American College of Rheumatology’ clinical practice guidelines and patient resources
- Arthritis Foundation patient tools and resources
- Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center physician corner and patient corner
Diabetes is another prevalent condition in the U.S. today. Learn how to start diabetes education classes at your pharmacy.
