How Do Sicker Canadians With Chronic Disease Rate The Health Care System?

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Lene Andersen from The Seated View is in this video!

Toronto, ON (December 12, 2011) – Today, the Health Council of Canada released results from the 2011 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey. The bulletin How Do Sicker Canadians with Chronic Disease Rate the Health Care System? compares experiences of sicker Canadians with chronic conditions to those of the general public.

Sicker Canadians report using more health care services than the general population. They are more likely to be hospitalized, have surgery, use emergency departments and take prescription medication compared to the general public. Most of this group is 50 years of age or older, but 34% are adults under the age of 50.

Along with being more frequent users of the health care system, sicker Canadians report experiencing considerable barriers to accessing the health care they need. Cost being one of the major barriers. Almost a quarter (23%), said they skipped a dose of medication or did not fill a prescription due to cost, compared to just 10% of the general population. This is a significant number since 90% of sicker Canadians take at least one prescription drug, and 54% take four or more. In addition, one in eight (12%) respondents have skipped a recommended test of follow up treatment due to cost concerns, compared to just 5% of the general population.

Read More: http://www.healthcouncilcanada.ca/commonwealth6

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ArthritisID: Comprehensive Free Arthritis App For Consumers

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ArthritisID is the most comprehensive free arthritis app for consumers, featuring the most current, evidence-based arthritis information to help detect, treat and manage arthritis.

ArthritisID includes:

  • Screen for arthritis – ArthritisID’s interactive arthritis screening tool and questionnaire will help you determine indications of a type of arthritis
  • Understand arthritis better – ArthritisID features treatment strategies and medication information for: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, gout and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (kids get arthritis too!)
  • You can trust ArthritisID – the most current, evidence-based information on prevention of arthritis, as well as information about exercise, diet and nutrition
  • Save it! ArthritisID lets you save past arthritis screenings, or those of friends and family
  • Share it! ArthritisID lets you send important arthritis information and resources by e-mail from the app directly to those who need it
  • Connect to the North American arthritis community through social media networks and access more resources
  • Thoughtful functionality – ArthritisID does not require an internet connection to operate, and the text size can be custom adjusted to suit your preference
  • Unlimited free access to all features – all materials are available in English AND French. There are no subscription fees or hidden costs

ArthritisID was developed and written by two of North America’s leading arthritis research and patient advocacy organizations – the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada and Arthritis Consumer Experts.

ArthritisID also has a free companion app for healthcare professionals, called ArthritisID PRO, which has additional features.

More Info: http://bit.ly/GetArthritisID

Arthritis is cured! (if you want it) Among the top three chronic diseases in Canada, arthritis is actually a group of more than 100 diseases. One in six Canadian adults has arthritis – that’s nearly 4.5 million people – costing the economy billions of dollars per year. It’s time Canadians got talking about arthritis.

In 2009 – 2010, Arthritis Consumer Experts (ACE) and The Arthritis Society of Canada, created the first comprehensive national arthritis awareness program in Canada. With the program slogan “Arthritis is Cured! (if you want it)/Guerir l’arthrite! (la solution vous revient),” the NAAP positively promoted interest and conversation about arthritis with the public and healthcare professionals, providing greater insight into the severity of the disease and information on how to access the arthritis information and support network. Read more at: http://www.arthritisiscured.org/.

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House Flame Derby Walking Cane

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I think this is going to be my next walking cane. It’s not so much the fact that this is a replica of the cane used by Dr. House on the television show that interests me; what attracts me the most are the really cool flames!

This cane was previously available only with a ‘tourist’ (rounded) handle, which would have never worked with my arthritic hands. It now seems, though, that it is also available with a more ergonomically correct ‘derby’ handle.

From the website selling this cane: “The derby triple wound carbon fiber flame cane uses the same design as Dr. Gregory House on the hit television series House M.D on Fox. The flames on this cane are built in the shaft, making the flames last the entire life of the cane. By using super strong, triple wound, carbon fiber, the cane will weigh next to nothing but is sure to last for years to come! Be sure to get one of these ‘cool’ canes while they’re ‘HOT’!”

More Info: www.fashionablecanes.com/Dr-Gregory-House-Walking-Canes

P.S. You know you have rheumatoid arthritis when you get really excited about blinged-out walking aids!

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A Disabled Writer’s Book Unfolds A Tap At A Time

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By Nita Lelyveld, Los Angeles Times

“In the virtual world, Winkler roams free. He blogs. He comments. He write articles about film.

In the physical world, he increasingly is trapped — dependent on his sister and a long, red plastic chopstick.

Rheumatoid arthritis has battered him for 46 of his 55 years.

His neck won’t turn. His head is pitched down, chin to chest. His elbow and wrist joints are so fixed in place, he cannot touch his face.

Sitting up in bed, he can no longer extend his arms far enough to place his fingertips on the keyboard of the MacBook Pro propped on a lap desk across his thighs.

Instead, he braces the chopstick between several fingers on his right hand and uses it to tap, tap, tap one key after another.”

Read More: www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-adv-chopstick-book…

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Autoimmune Arthritis Patients At Higher Risk For Blood Clots In Lung

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“People with autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, who are hospitalized, may have an increased risk of developing a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung). A report, published online November 26, 2011 in The Lancet, outlines the seriousness of the matter and the need for preventive treatment among hospitalized autoimmune patients. A pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening.”

Read More: http://arthritis.about.com/b/2011/11/28/autoimmune-arthritis…

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