title: Living with and adjusting to arthritis.
abstract: Caring for a patient with arthritis involves recognizing the individuality of each person and dealing with the changing course of the disease. Each day these people wake up with the realization that there is never a "day off" from arthritis. The patient must maintain responsibility for herself and her disease. It is essential that the health care team see the need for continuous encouragement, education, and flexibility in planning and altering the therapeutic regimen. Accommodation for the individual nature of the patient and her disease is essential.
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001168:Arthritis / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D004651:Employment; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010353:Patient Education as Topic