Arthritis in Alabama
Arthritis Foundation Exercise Programs (PACE)
Benefits of this Exercise Program
Class Locations
Arthritis in Alabama (Back to top)
There are over 100 types of arthritis including osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, gout, Lyme disease, bursitis, and carpel tunnel syndrome. The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) website reports that about 1.14 million adult Alabamaians have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Also, over 62% of people age 65 and older in Alabama have arthritis. Arthritis can affect joints and other parts of the body. It can cause stiffness, pain, and swelling around the joints, depending on the type of Arthritis a person has.
Arthritis Foundation Exercise Programs (PACE)
(Back to top)
According to the ADPH "Physical Activity: The Arthritis Pain Reliever" brouchure, "recent studies show that moderate physical activity three or more days per week can help to relieve arthritis pain and stiffness and give you more energy". It also states that "regular physical activity can also lift your mood and make you feel more positive".
To help Alabamaians with arthritis, several of the Senior Centers in our region are doing Arthritis Foundation Exercise Programs at their facilities. This is an evidence-based exercise program backed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that uses gentle activities designed specifically for individuals with arthritis. This program is also beneficial to those that do not have arthritis. Within our ten-county region, we currently have 24 of our Senior Centers teaching this exercise program with over 320 participants.
Our instructors have been trained by the Alabama Department of Public Health in coordination with the Alabama Department of Senior Services. Alabama's Senior Centers use the original program name PACE. PACE refers to People with Arthritis Can Exercise.
The PACE program consists of 4 main elements (found in the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program: Instructor's Manual):
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Exercise - including stretching or range of motion exercises, strengthening exercises and endurance routines.
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Health Education - providing up to date information about arthritis self-management and exercise.
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Movement Activities - to promote social interaction, movement, balance and body awareness.
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Relaxation Exercises - to introduce and practice various stress management techniques which are helpful for stress and pain reduction.
Benefits of this Exercise Program (Back to top)
PACE has been very beneficial to our Seniors, with many telling us participation has increased their joint flexibility, range of motion, stamina, and muscle strength. PACE has also brought numerous participants out of social isolation and into our centers. Participating in this program is helping many of our Seniors to lead healthier, happier, more fulfilling lives giving them an overall better quality of life.
Class Locations (Back to top)
If you are interested in joining one of our classes or finding out more information please look below for the phone number to the center nearest you. You can click on a county or scroll down to view all of our counties. Keep in mind that class days and times are subject to change, so please call before attending.
Calhoun County
Chambers County
Clay County
Cleburne County
Coosa County
Etowah County
Randolph County
Talladega County
Tallapoosa County
Calhoun County (Back to top)
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Jacksonville
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10:00 Tu/Th (256) 435-9199
Jacksonville Community Center,
501-C Alexandria Rd. SW, Jacksonville
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Myrick
Manor
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10:15 Tu/Th (256) 435-6703
806 Washington St. NW, Jacksonville
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Ohatchee
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10:30 Tu/F (256) 892-9245
7885 AL Hwy 77, Ohatchee
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Oxford
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10:00 M/W/F (256) 831-5900
424 Main Street, Oxford
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Weaver
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10:00 W (256) 820-5049
406 Anniston St., Weaver
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Chambers County (Back to top)
| LaFayette |
10:00 Tu (334) 864-0938
LaFayette Community Center
312 4th Ave. Southeast, LaFayette |
Clay County (Back to top)
| Ashland |
10:45 Tu/Th (256) 354-3229
45 2nd Ave. N., Ashland |
| Lineville |
10:15 Tu/Th (256) 396-2581
60169 Hwy 49 N., Lineville |
Cleburne County (Back to top)
| Heflin |
TBA TBA (256) 463-5434
Heflin Recreation Center,
1228 Coleman St., Heflin |
Coosa County (Back to top)
| Rockford |
10:30 W/F (256) 377-4888
Masonic Building, 36273 Main St., Rockford |
Etowah County (Back to top)
| Attalla |
9:30 M/W (256) 570-0202
Willie Carnes Rec. Ctr., 102 Case Ave.,
Attalla |
| Elliott |
TBA TBA (256) 549-4735
2829 W. Meighan Blvd., Gadsden |
| Gadsden Carver |
9:30 M/W (256) 549-4767
1030 Tuscaloosa Ave., Gadsden |
| Walnut Grove |
10:45 Tu/Th (205) 589-6001
5151 Walnut Grove Rd., Walnut Grove |
Randolph County (Back to top)
| Roanoke |
10:00 Tu/Th (334) 863-4217
500 West Point St., Roanoke |
| Wadley |
9:15 M/F (256) 395-2235
311 Main St., Wadley |
| Wedowee |
10:00 Tu/W/Th (256) 357-2432
Town Hall, 116 N. Main St., Wedowee |
Talladega County (Back to top)
| Childersburg |
10:15 M/W/F (256) 378-7037
65 Graves Ave., Childersburg |
| Lincoln |
10:00 Tu/Th (205) 763-7362
185 Magnolia St., Lincoln |
| Munford |
9:45 M/W/F (256) 358-6437
110 Lyons Rd., Munford |
| Oak Grove |
10:30 Tu/Th (256) 249-3638
2364 Forest Glen Rd., Oak Grove |
Tallapoosa County (Back to top)
Alexander
City |
10:00 Tu/F (256) 234-4074
82 Court Square, Alexander City |
| Camp Hill |
9:30 Tu/F (256) 896-2943
125 Henderson Drive, Camp Hill
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| Wall Street |
9:00 Tu/Th (334) 283-8187
Golden Horizons Center,
415 Wall Street, East Tallassee |