Regional Arthritis Center

The Southeast Missouri Regional Arthritis Center (SEMO RAC) is one of seven centers established in Missouri by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services designed to provide arthritis, osteoporosis and chronic disease education, information and services to individuals, professionals, and community groups and organizations. A local advisory board reviews and makes recommendations for programs and services in the service area. 

Service Area Counties

Goals

• Improve the health and quality of life for people with arthritis and osteoporosis
• Encourage early recognition, diagnosis and professional care
• Provide education for successful disease self-management
• Develop and support a network of volunteers to help meet the needs of people in our service area in their communities

Juvenile Arthritis Care

The Missouri Arthritis and Osteoporosis Program has referral service available for families who need assistance caring for a child with juvenile arthritis. Educational information is also available.

Library

Books and videos are available to check out. Free brochures provide educational information on various rheumatic diseases and self-management techniques.

Education Program

A speakers' bureau consisting of health professionals is also available to assist with programs forgroups in your community.

Physician Referral Program

Contact the Southeast Missouri Regional Arthritis Center at 888-216-3293 for a complete listing of rheumatologists in your regional area.

Activity programs

Arthritis Classes

If you would like to take a class or find out more information, this listing will provide the location and contact information for class dates and times. If you are unable to call a county for class details due to long-distance charges, or if you have any questions regarding the class information in this resource guide, please call SEMO RAC at 888-216-3293.

Fees may apply for classes and vary by facility. It is recommended to talk with your doctor before beginning any exercise program.

Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program

This low-impact exercise program is designed specifically for people with arthritis. Using gentle activities, the exercises help increase joint flexibility and range of motion and help maintain muscle strength. This class can be taken in either a sitting or standing position. Goals of this class include:

• Decreasing pain and stiffness
• Increasing flexibility and mobility
• Increasing strength
• Increasing independence in activities of daily living

Other benefits include increased socialization, motivation, personal accountability and improved self-esteem.

Bollinger County

• Location: Marble Hill Senior Center
  Contact: Melissa Allen, 573-238-2817
  Provided by the Bollinger County Health Department

Butler County

• Location: Northside Nutrition Center
  Contact: Mary McKinney at Independent Living Center, 888-890-2333 
• Location: Qulin Senior Center
  Contact: Mary McKinney at Independent Living Center, 888-890-2333 
• Location: Twin Towers Senior Center
  Contact: Mary McKinney at Independent Living Center, 888-890-2333 

Cape Girardeau County

• Location: Cape Girardeau Senior Center
  Contact: Shelly Gerard, 573-331-5399 or 573-331-5993
• Location: Centenary United Methodist Church
  Contact: Senior Learning Program, Marilee Roethemeyer, 573-290-5944
• Location: Delta Community Center
  Contact: Senior Learning Program, Marilee Roethemeyer, 573-290-5944
• Location: Jackson Senior Center
  Contact: Senior Learning Program, Marilee Roethemeyer, 573-290-5944
• Location: Oak Ridge – First Baptist Church
  Contact: Senior Learning Program, Marilee Roethemeyer, 573-290-5944
• Location: Van Buren Community Center
  Contact: Whole Health Outreach Office, Marsha Towner, 573-663-7757

New Madrid County

• Location: New Madrid County Health Department
  Contact: Kim Simmons, 573-748-5541 
• Location: Portageville Senior Center
  Contact: Kim Simmons, 573-748-5541

Reynolds County

• Location: Ellington Senior Center
  Contact: Whole Health Outreach Office, S. Rita Schonhoff, 573-663-7757
• Location: Morley Baptist Church
  Contact: Scott County Health Department, Brenda Freed, 800-471-4044
• Location: Restart – Sikeston
  Contact: Angela Moore, 573-472-7375 
• Location: YMCA – Sikeston
  Contact: Chris Hodgkiss, 573-472-9622

Shannon County

• Location: Winona Senior Center
  Contact: Whole Health Outreach Office, Jessie Kincaid, 573-663-7757

Stoddard County

• Location: Stoddard County Public Health Center
  Contact: Kathy Bowling, 573-568-4593

Wayne County

• Location: Williamsville Nutrition Center
  Contact: Glenda Warmack, 573-998-2544 or Charlotte Deckelman, 573-718-0816

Arthritis Aquatics Programs

Arthritis Foundation Aquatics Programs This water exercise program is designed for people with arthritis and related conditions. You do not have to know how to swim to enjoy
this fun water-exercise class. The warmth and buoyancy of the water helps:

• Decrease strain on joints and muscles
• Decrease pain and stiffness
• Increase flexibility, mobility and strength
• Regain independence in activities of daily living

Cape Girardeau County

• Location: Fitness Plus
• Contact: Saint Shelly Gerard at Francis Medical Center, 573-331-5993 or 573-331-5399

Arthritis Foundation Self-management Classes

This six-week group education program is designed to complement the professional services provided by your healthcare team. The program's goals include:

• Increasing your knowledge of arthritis
• Identifying and learning the latest medical and pain management approaches
• Learning methods to manage fatigue, stress and pain
• Learning ways to deal with anger, fear, frustration and depression
• Understanding the role of nutrition in arthritis management
• Developing a partnership with your healthcare team

Other benefits include increased socialization, improved self-esteem, improved disease management, and increased personal accountability and motivation.

Butler County

• Location: Independent Living Center – Poplar Bluff
  Contact: Mary McKinney, 888-890-2333
  *Programs offered in Carter, Reynolds, Ripley and Wayne counties

Cape Girardeau County

• Location: Saint Francis Medical Center
  Contact: Marilyn Duncan, 888-216-3293

Carter County

• Location: Whole Health Outreach
  Contact: S. Rita Schonhoff, 573-663-7757 

Reynolds County

• Location: Whole Health Outreach – Ellington
  Contact: S. Rita Schonhoff, 573-663-7757

Arthritis advisory board

A local advisory board with a service area representative reviews and recommends programs and services that should be available through the Southeast Missouri Regional Arthritis Center. Members of the board are actively involved in the care of those with arthritis or teach the arthritis self-management or activity programs.

Arthritis Tool Kit

People with arthritis can live a healthy life by actively managing the physical and emotional problems that come with their disease. The Arthritis Toolkit contains information and tips that help many people with arthritis and fibromyalgia live happier, healthier, more comfortable lives.

Contact the Southeast Missouri Regional Arthritis Center to check out The Arthritis Toolkit today.

Call 573-331-5880 or 888-216-3293, e-mail semorac@sfmc.net or contact your local Area Agency on Aging at 573-335-3331 or University of Missouri Extension office at 573-545-3516.

Toolkits are available to check out. After completing the program, individuals may return the toolkit or choose to purchase the materials for $10.

Chronic Disease Self-management Program

This six-week self-management program was developed by researchers at the Stanford University Patient Education Research Center to improve your knowledge of living a healthy life with a chronic condition. The sessions provide information about issues related to a variety of conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, arthritis, emphysema and others. Program goals and benefits include:

• Identify ways to deal with pain, fatigue, difficult emotions and stress
• Discuss the roles of exercise and nutrition in chronic conditions
• Discuss ways to form a partnership with your healthcare team
• Increased socialization
• Increased motivation and personal accountability

This program is designed to complement the professional services provided by your healthcare team.

Butler County

• Location: Independent Living Center
  Contact: Mary McKinney, 888-890-2333 

Cape Girardeau County

• Location: Cape Girardeau County Health Department
  Contact: Sarah Pelts-Spence, 573-335-7846, ext. 109
  *Programs offered in Bollinger, Perry, Iron, Madison and Wayne counties
• Location: Cross Trails Medical Center
  Contact: Ginny Chapman, 573-332-0808 ext. 135
  *Programs offered in Bollinger and Stoddard counties
• Location: Saint Francis Medical Center Southeast Missouri Regional Arthritis Center
  Contact: Marilyn Duncan, 888-216-3293
• Location: Outpatient Rehab at Saint Francis Medical Center
  Contact: Carrie Johnson, 573-331-5153

Carter County

• Location: Whole Health Outreach
  Contact: Marsha Towner, 573-663-7757

Pemiscot County

• Location: University of Missouri Extension
  Contact: Linda Morgan, 573-359-0923
  *Program offered in Dunklin County
• Location: University of Missouri Extension
  Contact: Judy Lueders, 573-547-4504
  *Programs offered in Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Iron, Madison and Wayne counties

Scott County

• Location: University of Missouri Extension
  Contact: Maude Harris, 573-545-3516
  *Programs offered in Butler, Mississippi, New Madrid and Stoddard counties

Education

Educational programs and forums are available to assist individuals in learning disease-specific information about different rheumatic conditions such as:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Gout
• Lupus
• Osteoporosis

Free brochures and pamphlets regarding disease facts, medicines, exercise and how to cope are available.

Missouri Arthritis and Osteoporosis Program

The Missouri Arthritis and Osteoporosis Program supports the development and implementation of prevention and intervention programs to reduce disability and improve quality of life for people with arthritis and osteoporosis.

Public forums/programs

Presentations on arthritis and osteoporosis are available to the entire service delivery area.

Support groups

Arthritis & Fibromyalgia

Support groups are designed to:

• Improve social interaction
• Decrease sense of isolation
• Increase knowledge of rheumatic diseases, self-management skills and treatment options
• Serve as a place where reinforcement and encouragement of individual self-esteem, self-determination and self-sufficiency are promoted

Butler County

• Location: Independent Living Center – Poplar Bluff
  Contact: Mary McKinney, 888-890-2333

Cape Girardeau County

• Location: Saint Francis Medical Center
  Contact: Marilyn Duncan, 888-216-3293

Tai Chi From the Arthritis Foundation

This exercise program is based on the sun style of tai chi. Tai chi is one of the most effective exercises for physical and mental well-being. Qigong movements enhance breathing and relaxation to help decrease inflammation and pain. Goals of this class include:

• Improved flexibility, balance and muscle strength
• Improved posture
• Integration of the mind and body

Cape Girardeau County

• Location: Fitness Plus
  Contact: Saint Francis Medical Center, Shelly Gerard, 573-331-5993 or 573-331-5399