Water Exercise Programme
Water Exercise is a useful and effective exercise for patients with arthritis and rheumatism since the warm water relieves both the pain and stiffness of the joints, and the buoyancy of the water takes the strain off their weight-bearing joints. The patients can receive proper training from the attending physiotherapist so that they can continue the exercise elsewhere after these training sessions. The programme is solely relied on general donation to support and so only can accept the patients suffered from autoimmune diseases with rheumatologist’s referral due to a limited resource. The details of the program are as follows:
Target: Rheumatic patients with referral from Doctor/ Nurse in Rheumatology Specialist, from Rheumatology Self-help organizations or The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation – Community Rehabilitation Network (CRN)
☆ The fee will be collected before the first session.
☆ If the participant is absent more than twice without reason, he/she could not apply for the next phase.
Exercise Programme
Most of the arthritis patients will have joint pain and so they will do less exercise to avoid the painfulness. However, the lack of exercise will result in the stiffness and degeneration of the joints. Thus, the Foundation organizes the exercise class to teach the patients how to improve the condition. A physiotherapist will teach a group of 8-10 patients how to exercise properly. Also, the exercise will be designated for arthritis patients to release their pain.
Referral Form (Updated on 12 September 2024) (Chinese only)
 |
Target: Patients suffered from Autoimmune Arthritis diseases |
| Venue: HKARF Jockey Club Patient Resource & Training Centre / CRN Kornhill Centre | |
| Fee: $480.00 for a 8-lesson course (HKARF) / $360.00 for a 6-lesson course (Kornhill) | |
| (Half price for CSSA recipients) | |
| (No refund) |
Occupational Therapist consultation service
Occupational therapists provide suggestion to arthritis patients on joint protection and teach them how to use adaptive equipment to improve daily living skills. Also, they can tailor make splints for patients. Occupational therapy is important to arthritis patients as most of them suffer from joints problem. However, there is service gap in the public medical system and patients need to wait 4 to 6 months to meet the occupational therapists. In order to let the patients meet the therapists earlier, the Foundation launched this consultation service and hoped to help patients improve the joints situation earlier.
Doctor Referral Form (Updated 10 Jan 2019)
| Target: Patients suffered from Autoimmune Arthritis diseases |   |
| Venue: HKARF Jockey Club Patient Resource & Training Centre | |
| Fee: $80.00 per consultation | |
| (Half price for CSSA recipients) | |
| (Any adaptive equipment purchase not included in the fee) |
Ceramics Programme
With the generous support of the Kadoorie Charitable Foundation, the HKARF has launched a ceramics programme specifically for individuals with rheumatic diseases. The programme brings together patients from various medical specialties, allowing them to share their personal experiences and pain management strategies. The sessions aim to relax their body and mind.
Occupational therapists will conduct hand function assessments before and after the classes, guiding participants in performing hand stretching exercises to strengthen finger muscles and reduce joint pain. According to data from past participants, approximately 80% of patients with rheumatic conditions showed significant improvement in hand function upon completing the course.
Programme Details:
Quarry Bay (Every Monday)
Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Venue: Room 2, 16/F, Technology Plaza, 651 King’s Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
(Exit C Quarry Bay MTR Station)
Kai Tak AIRSIDE (Every Saturday)
Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Venue: Unit 113, Good Date Village, AIRSIDE
No. 2, Concorde Rd, Kai Tak, Kowloon
(Exit C Kai Tak MTR Station)
Target: Chronic Rheumatism Patients
Cost: $400 (Half-price for recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA))
Period: A total of 4 lessons in the full course, with one lesson per week.
Capacity: 6 participants
Pastel Nagomi Art Class
With the enthusiastic support of the Kadoorie Charitable Foundation, patients with rheumatic diseases can focus on simple, non-judgmental painting under the guidance of a Pastel Nagomi Art Instructor. After completing four sessions, they create their own Harmony Pastel artwork. Throughout the painting process, patients can alleviate joint pain, exercise their hand muscles, and reduce the impact of their condition. This course also serves as an excellent platform for participants to relax, enjoy, and share knowledge on managing their illness with fellow patients.
Venue: Hong Kong Arthritis & Rheumatism Foundation Ltd.
G/F, Units 103-106, Nam Wai House, Nam Shan Estate, Shek Kip Mei (Exit B2, Shek Kip Mei MTR Station)
- Cost: $400 (Half-price for recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA))
- Target: Chronic Rheumatism Patients (Patient self-help organizations or groups are warmly encouraged to actively participate or arrange private sessions)
- Period: A total of 4 lessons in the full course, with one lesson per week.
- Capacity: 6 participants
