"Take the 'A' Train: Get on Track to Ease Arthritis Pain" is an education program, designed by the Arthritis Foundation for elderly people with arthritis who are living in assisted living communities or skilled nursing facilities. Based on focus group research, this program was developed to help people learn to better manage their own arthritis through exercise, coping techniques, and increased knowledge. Self-efficacy appears to be an important variable for influencing this process, especially since residency in senior care settings can heighten a person's perceived "loss of control." Simply teaching a health behavior is not sufficient for achieving behavior change. The person must feel confident in performing that behavior. Increasing perceived self-efficacy can improve a person's ability to manage their arthritis, thereby reducing the disabling results of the disease. A self-contained kit was developed containing four different learning modules regarding general arthritis information and facts, physical activity, pain management, goal setting, coping skills, and relaxation techniques. The development process utilized information from: available literature sources, focus groups consisting of senior care facility residents, and the executive directors and recreational therapists from several senior care sites. Subsequently, an assessment of this program was done to compare the differences between those individuals who attended the program workshops (intervention group) and those individuals who did not receive the program (control group) on three variables: self-efficacy, perceived pain, and perceived general health status. Data analyses revealed a statistically significant increase in self-efficacy. This presentation will further describe the development and evaluation of this program.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, the learner will be able to: 1)identify the outcome measures that were found to improve from participating in the "Take the 'A' Train" program
Keywords: Self-Efficacy, Quality of Life
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The Arthritis Foundation
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employment