November 26, 2021 (Vancouver) – Arthritis is the #1 health reason why Canadians stop working. Arthritis Research Canada’s scientists have developed a one-of-a-kind program, called Making it Work™, to help people with inflammatory types of arthritis and osteoarthritis keep their jobs without sacrificing their health.
“People often feel discouraged when they’re first diagnosed with a disease like rheumatoid arthritis in terms of their ability to work,” said Dr. Diane Lacaille, Arthritis Research Canada’s Scientific Director and a rheumatologist. “It’s important for people to recognize that they can have fulfilling work lives.”
Join Dr. Lacaille on December 2 at 11 AM PST for a webinar and Q&A about employment and arthritis and the Making it Work™ program.
Backed by Research
Dr. Lacaille and her team have spent the last 20 years researching, developing and testing Making it Work™, which is an online program that focuses on preventing work disability by giving people tools to cope with work challenges raised by their disease.
“It’s not about work at all costs. It’s about breaking down the challenges and giving people the resources, knowledge and strategies that they need to be able to deal with employment issues,” Dr. Lacaille said.
One in five people living with rheumatoid arthritis leave the workforce within five years of receiving a diagnosis. Almost half of working-age Canadians with osteoarthritis report not working or attending school. Many are in the prime of their working lives.
Over 6 million Canadians of all ages live with arthritis. It is currently the most costly chronic condition, costing the country an estimated $33 billion annually in lost productivity and health care costs.
Patients identify employment issues as one of their most important, unmet needs as the inability to work has a tremendous impact on a person’s financial, social and emotional well-being.
For more information about Making it Work™, please sign-up for the free webinar or view episode 6 of the Arthritis Research Education Series.
