Highlights of Consumer Research Findings

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WHY PEOPLE PARTICIPATE IN LIFE IMPROVEMENT SERIES PROGRAMS

• Constant pain and limitations they experience because of arthritis
• Difficulty managing the pain and other symptoms with prescription or OTC medication
• Strong desire to use less medication
• Looking for something new and different

HOW PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS BECAME INVOLVED

• Physician recommended program
• Family member recommended or arranged for their participation
• Participants were looking for a way to prevent arthritis from getting worse or at least slowing it down

WHY PEOPLE DO NOT PARTICIPATE

• Lack of awareness
• Fear of pain and hurting themselves more
• Time commitment
• Time of day/location not convenient
• Bathing suits

APPEAL OF THE PROGRAMS

• Taught by Arthritis Foundation-certified instructors
  
  
  • Willing to pay for this expertise
  • Increases comfort level that exercise choices would be modified to reduce/eliminate risk of injury
  • Believe it results in more individualized attention


• Opportunity to learn things that will make them feel better
• Offers a different way to think about arthritis – arthritis isn’t just inevitably going to run its course
• Be with other people, and reduce isolation

CONSUMER EXPECTATIONS

• Be treated as an individual
• Real, practical information they can use at home
• How to manage pain, reduce reliance on medications
• Information on heredity and how to reduce risk of acquiring arthritis in their children

BENEFITS EXPECTED

• Improved ability to do more activities
• Decreased pain and stiffness
• Increased quality of life
• Decreased depression
• Increased social activities
• Improved general health status
• Decreased need to see physician
• Increased knowledge
• Belief in ability to manage disease