AMHERST – Understanding arthritis, learning proper nutrition and getting in daily physical activity were hot topics at the Cumberland YMCA for their arthritis program.
Arthritis Society representative Erin Debodt was on site to give a presentation about nutrition.
Wendy Petrus has had arthritis for most of her life. She came out to the presentations hoping to pick up a few helpful tips to keep her mobile around her home.
“In the last four years, I’ve had two hip replacements and I’m starting to have problems with arthritis in my spine,” she said. “There are days when I find it difficult to even get around the house. I’ve had to retire because of it, much earlier than I had planned.”
“It’s part of a series of presentations put on across in provinces from Atlantic Canadian health professionals in various communities,” said Debodt. “The focus is sort of on educating people about what’s available to them in their community as well as practical strategies for managing their arthritis.”
An overview of the chronic disease was given by a NSCC student with another presentation about the importance of keeping active even though you’ve been diagnosed with arthritis was given by physiotherapist Jane Bradley.
“We’re covering all the basics there,” she said. “Sometimes we bring in pharmacists and occupational therapists, so it sort of depends on what’s available in the community. We’re doing this all around the Maritime provinces.”
The presentations at the Cumberland YMCA were the first in the series to travel around the province.
