Getting out and about with arthritis: or not?

Article Abstract:

Although England's Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act of 1970 was intended to remove obstacles to the mobility of handicapped people, many physical and social obstacles to mobility persist in that country. Among the disabled who still lack accessibility to buses and trains are people with arthritis. Many must take long, cold, bumpy journeys in order to receive physical therapy treatments which are helpful but may not be worth the trip. Another example of continuing problems are projects in which city centers are bricked off for the use of pedestrians. Parking at the periphery of shopping areas, long cold waits for infrequent access buses, and other problems with such plans result in difficulties for arthritics, many of whom cannot walk more than 100 yards. Features of buildings and environments that should exist by now range from level access to door thresholds, easy opening of doors, presence of handrails, convenient and sufficient disabled parking spots, level sidewalks, appropriate curb heights, adjustment of traffic patterns to people who walk slowly, access to and within shops, places to sit, spacious changing rooms, and so forth. Specialized transportation for the disabled is available in London, but not in most small towns, and airports and railway stations may have poorly adapted rest rooms and other facilities. Meticulous attention to detail is important if hospitals and other organizations are to design accessibility into buildings. Architects and other planning professionals would benefit from experiencing good and bad design elements (including too steep ramps, poor surfaces, steps with uneven treads). Most importantly, the disabled themselves should be consulted in initial planning of designs and in continued evaluation. Many of the disabled wish to be actively involved so that they can take charge of their environment and of their own lives. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

United Kingdom, Laws, regulations and rules, Social policy, Disabled persons, Architecture and disabled persons, Architecture and the disabled

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Population projections and the effect on rheumatology

Article Abstract:

One of the major trends among the world's population which will have an impact on many aspects of life is the population's increasing age. Contributing to this trend are the peaks of births in 1920, 1947, and the 1960s, and a tendency of those born during each peak to survive longer. As a result, in the United Kingdom, for example, 15 percent of people in 1985 were 65 years or older, but by the year 2030, 20 percent will be in that age category. A disproportionate number of these older people are, and will be, female. These changes in the population are likely to increase the number of patients needing medical care for arthritis, mostly for those over 45 years but especially those over 75 years. However, there are also likely to be increases in care needed for back pain and soft tissue rheumatism due to increases in the number of people between 25 and 44 and between 45 and 64, as well. These population changes also will probably lead to an increase in the incidence of disability leading to restriction in mobility and poor performance of everyday living activities. This has implications for caregivers, who are chiefly female and frequently elderly and at risk for arthritis themselves. An important response to these trends would be to delay onset of disability by treating symptoms, maintaining function, and preserving independence, possibly by keeping people in their homes and enhancing existing informal support networks. This will require provision of resources by some governmental agencies. Not all elderly are disabled, however, and hopefully current improvements in health and educational status of the population will prevent or minimize the extent of disability in the growing elderly population. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Aging, Demographic aspects, Rheumatology, editorial

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