Rheumatoid Arthritis Support and Education Programs
A diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or other inflammatory arthritis conditions like ankylosis, spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis, can present enormous physical and emotional challenges. They are confronted with the tasks of:
- understanding a chronic illness
- managing a host of symptoms
- choosing among complex treatment options
- coping with potential changes in independence, self-esteem, work and family roles
Related Departments, Services and Centers
To help people better understand and cope with their diagnosis, HSS offers free support and education programs for people with RA and inflammatory arthritis. Each of these programs is specifically designed to address the particular needs of people at different phases of their journey with their illness. Our Latinx Inflammatory Arthritis Support and Education program is designed for people with inflammatory arthritis from the Latino/a and Hispanic community and their families. The Latinx programs are in Spanish and English.
Our support and education programs are the only on-going programs of their kind in the Northeast which combine current RA-related information with peer support.
All of our programs provide essential information from a wide range of health care professionals such as doctors, nurses, physical therapists, nutritionists and social workers. The information provided in these workshops is intended to:
- help participants make informed decisions about management and treatment of inflammatory arthritis and RA.
- offer peer support that many people find helpful in coping with the impact of the diagnosis.
- create a welcoming forum in which members can share their experiences and feelings about their daily challenges with this illness, and strategies they use to cope.
- provide information on other related Community Resources
What To Expect When You Come to the Groups
The first half of each workshop features a lecture by a recognized health care professional who provides essential information about RA management and treatment. Following each lecture, the group participates in a support group discussion, facilitated by a clinical social worker and an experienced rheumatology nurse.
- The groups meet monthly for a free 2-hour workshop.
- The programs take place in a series of four monthly workshops in the spring (March-June) and fall (September-December) of each year.
- Contact the social work coordinator for more information and required pre-screening and registration.
Additional Services
Short-Term Counseling: Sometimes individual support, in addition to the support provided by the group, can be helpful in coping with RA. We offer:
- One-on-one, short-term supportive counseling with licensed clinical social workers (westreichj@hss.edu) who are familiar with the particular difficulties involved in living with this illness. This service is free of charge.
- Referrals to outside counseling and resources, as well as other information about services within the hospital and community are also available.
Public Education Lectures: In addition to the lectures presented in the education and support groups, we present free lectures on RA-related topics to a larger community audience. These bi-annual lectures are offered in collaboration with our Education Division and the Arthritis Foundation, and are open to the public.
Lecture Summaries: To reach a wider audience, and for people who can not attend the workshops, we offer summaries of select lectures.
Early RA Support and Education Program
The Early RA Support and Education Program has been developed specially for people recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.
Participants meet for a free, four-session series which presents essential information about RA and RA treatment. Following the lectures, a discussion with others also coping with a new RA diagnosis is co-facilitated by a social worker and a rheumatology nurse.
When: Meets monthly on Mondays from 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Where: Due to COVID-19 all of our programs are virtual. Please contact us for information.
Contact: Joan Westreich, LCSW, Social Work Coordinator, Early RA Support and Education Program, at 212.774.7378 or westreichj@hss.edu.
Preassessment and registration are required for attendance.
In 2016 HSS, in collaboration with the Arthritis Foundation, presented a symposium entitled “Essentials in Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Treatments, Fatigue, Nutrition & Joint Protection.”
The symposium presentations by HSS rheumatologists, nutritionists, and occupational therapists are available for viewing here.
Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Lecture, Lunch and Conversation
This monthly group program provides education and support for people with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis and their family members and friends. Lectures by rheumatoid arthritis care experts are followed by discussion facilitated by a clinical social worker and rheumatology nurse. Call the program coordinator, weekdays between 9 am and 5 pm, for more information.
When: Meets the third Thursday of the month (10 meetings a year), 12:00 - 2:00 pm
Where: For purposes of social distancing, our program schedules and formats are virtual
Contact: Adena Batterman, MSW, LCSW
Senior Manager, Inflammatory Arthritis Support and Education and Patient-Centered Qualitative Research, battermana@hss.edu, 212.774.2539
Preassessment and registration are required for attendance.
What Users Have Said About the Program
“I've learned a lot. I've met people who are like me in experience. For me it's been helpful and hopeful. This has been the most important thing that I've done for myself in a very long time.” - Rose M.
“It could go on forever and not lose my attention!“ - Janis G.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Program Summaries
- Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Foot and Ankle
- Reducing Risk of Infection in When You Have Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Acupuncture: Can It Help My Rheumatoid Arthritis?
- Assistive Devices for Arthritis of the Hands: Protecting Your Joints
- Managing Daily Life with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Strategies, Skills and Tools
- Coping With Pain Caused by a Chronic Disease
- An Overview of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Rheumatoid Arthritis, Bone Health and Osteoporosis: What You Need to Know
- Managing Fatigue in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Strategies and Skills
- Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis Lab Tests and Results
- Eating Right with Arthritis: Arthritis Nutrition FAQs
- Heart Health and Chronic Inflammatory Disorders
See more Support Program Summaries
Inflammatory Arthritis Resource Guide
Coping with inflammatory arthritis can be challenging. That is why it is important to learn as much as possible about your condition. We hope you will find the resources in this guide to be helpful.
Patient Education: Free Webinar Video Series
View our free webinar video series for people with all forms of inflammatory arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), spondyloarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and gout.
Our Programs in Our Members' Own Words
- "I can’t imagine how scary and overwhelming this would be without this group - the people, the setting, the information, and the support it provides. I don’t feel alone, and I think this is a huge part of coping with my RA."
- "I feel empowered to take a leading role on decisions associated with my care. I am less afraid about the implications of having this condition and I am also more aware of how I can protect myself from the risks associated with it."
- "I feel less alone… knowing there are a whole bunch of people I can talk with that are living with the disease. That gave me enough strength to move forward. I tried online support groups but this is very different and I believe so much better."