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Right at Home Blog

World Arthritis Day 2024

| Chronic Disease

World Arthritis Day (WAD) is a global awareness day held every year on 12 October. WAD aims to help raise awareness across global audiences of the existence and impact of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases, often referred to as RMDs. WAD was initially established by Arthritis and Rheumatism International (ARI) in 1996.  

Conditions that affect the bones, muscles and joints, and certain connective tissues are known as musculoskeletal conditions. Although osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, there are more than 100 different forms with varying causes, symptoms, and treatments. 

Around 7.3 million (29%) people in Australia were estimated to be living with chronic musculoskeletal conditions, according to self-reported data in the 2022 Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) National Health Survey (NHS). Prevalence has not changed since the last survey in 2017–18. 

Of these people: 

  • 4.0 million (16%) were estimated to be living with back problems
  • 3.7 million (15%) were estimated to be living with arthritis
  • 854,000 (3.4%) were estimated to be living with osteoporosis or osteopenia (ABS 2023). 

The National Strategic Action Plan for Arthritis provides an evidence-informed blueprint to guide national efforts to improve health-related quality of life for people living with arthritis, reduce the cost and prevalence of the condition, and reduce the impact on individuals, their carers, and the community. 

The Action Plan identifies three key priority areas:

  1. Awareness, prevention, and education
  2. High-value, person-centred care and support
  3. Research, evidence, and data 

Musculoskeletal conditions are usually managed by general practitioners (GP) and allied health professionals. Treatment can include physical therapy, medicines (for pain and inflammation), self-management (such as diet and exercise), education on self-management and living with the condition, and referral to specialist care where necessary (WHO 2019). 

Chronic musculoskeletal conditions are complex but regardless of the diagnosis or progression of the disease, Right at Home caregivers are here to help.  

We offer clients:  

  • Safety supervision
  • Ambulatory assistance
  • Dressing
  • Grooming
  • Light housekeeping
  • Laundry services
  • Medication reminders
  • Cognitive stimulation
  • And much, much more 

Contact your local office to learn more about our care services.  


Keep up to date with COVID 19 information via the following links: 

Australian Government Department of Health 

Victorian Health and Human Services 

NSW Health 

Queensland Health 

ACT Health 

WA Department of Health 

Tasmanian Department of Health 

Northern Territory Department of Health 

SA Health 

Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home companionship and personal care, and assistance to seniors (elderly and aged care), and any adult who needs our care at home including adults living with a disability who want to continue to live independently or age in their home. Right at Home is your local expert for issues related to caring for your loved ones and is dedicated to keeping you informed about home care. With no package management fees, Right at Home allows you to get more care from your package or budget. 

Right at Home is a 'My Aged Care' government approved, home care provider for levels 1 – 4 and offers flexible in-home care services such as nursing care, after hospital care, post-operative care, respite care, dementia and Alzheimer's care. Right at Home also offers assistance with daily living and personal care such as grooming, hygiene, transport, shopping, meal prep, domestic services and social support, so your loved one can enjoy a more independent, vibrant life. Our nurses and caregivers are screened, highly trained, and insured prior to entering your home so you can trust us with the caregiving while you focus on your loved one. 

To find out more, please give us a call on 1300 363 802 or visit our website. 

Right at Home Offices in Australia: ACT & Queanbeyan; ACT Canberra; Adelaide Central; Brisbane Bayside; Brisbane North; Brisbane South; Brisbane West; Central Queensland & Wide Bay; Central West New South Wales; Darling Downs; Far North Queensland; Gold Coast North; Gold Coast South; Gosford; Greater Logan; Hunter & Port Stephens; Ipswich Lockyer Valley; Kalgoorlie Wheatbelt; Macarthur Penrith; Mackay; Melbourne Brighton; Melbourne Frankston; Melbourne Glen Waverley; Melbourne North; Moreton Bay Region; Newcastle; Noosa, Gympie & Hinterland; North Queensland; Northern Rivers; Padstow St George; Perth Midland; Perth Northern Suburbs; Perth South; Perth South Eastern Suburbs; Perth West Coast; South West WA; Southern NSW; Southwest Victoria; Sunshine Coast; Sydney Central & Eastern Suburbs; Sydney Five Dock; Sydney Inner West; Sydney Liverpool; Sydney Lower North Shore; Sydney Northern Beaches; Sydney Norwest; Sydney Parramatta; Sydney Randwick; Sydney Ryde; Sydney Sutherland Shire; Sydney The Hills; Sydney Upper North Shore; Western NSW 

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