Looking after and caring for someone with arthritis is a challenge. Striking the right balance between providing support and motivation without being overprotective can often be difficult. As a carer, you also probably have many questions about arthritis – What is it? What can be done to manage it and what can I do to help? The Arthritis Ireland Caring Hands programme, in association with Home Instead, addresses these and many other questions through a workshop that will enable carers to effectively care for people living with arthritis in their own homes. 

What does it involve?

How will this course help me?

What will I receive?

Where and when is it on?

How can I sign up to do the programme?

What does it involve?

Through a practical half day workshop delivered in an informative and interactive environment, carers will learn about the effects of arthritis, understand more about pain and learn some simple and effective methods to manage the condition effectively through the use of self-management techniques such as exercise and relaxation methods. 

How will the course help me?

The emphasis of the course is on providing people with the skills and information needed to best help a person with arthritis maintain as much mobility, independence and control over their life as possible.

Each workshop is delivered by a team comprised of a trained Home Instead Carer and a person living with arthritis. This ensures that the knowledge and experience you receive is truly valid in the home care setting.

By participating in this workshop you will meet with and learn from others who are also caring for people with arthritis and share experiences.

What will I receive?

You will receive a full carers pack to take home with you – which you can refer to time and again. You will also receive a handy carers booklet which is full of useful information on arthritis and contains simple and effective techniques that will enable you to effectively care for a person living with arthritis.

In terms of the training you will receive on the day, it is broken down into a number of different activities:

Activity 1: Introduction

Activity 2: Understanding Arthritis

Activity 3: The Pain Cycle – and how to break it

Activity 4: Effective Arthritis Self-Management Tools

Activity 5: Exercise

Activity 6: Relaxation Methods

Activity 7: Communication Skills

Activity 8: Knowing What Are Medical Priorities

Activity 9: How to Put it All Together

Where and when is it on?

The Caring Hands programme is run throughout the year at locations across the country listed below:

How can I sign up to the programme?

To register your interest in training please call Svetlana in Arthritis Ireland on (01) 6470206 or email training@arthritisireland.ie.