1. Contact the Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation is a nationwide non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure for arthritis and helping those who have it. One of its many services is helping people with arthritis and their families to find support groups in their local areas. Their web site has a section for local chapters to post news and information, and you can usually find listings for local rheumatoid arthritis support groups there. The Arthritis Foundation trains volunteers to run Foundation-sponsored rheumatoid arthritis support groups, so some of the listings you see will be for these groups. You'll also find listings for non-Foundation groups you can join.
2. Ask Your Doctor
Most rheumatologists are up to date on what is happening in the local community regarding rheumatoid arthritis. You may see fliers for local support groups in your doctor's office. If not, be sure to ask him if he knows of any groups that are meeting nearby. In many cases, rheumatologists may personally know people who are in the group and may have been invited to speak at meetings in the past. If so, they might be able to recommend a group to you if your community has more than one.
3. Call Group Leaders
Once you've got the information in hand about what groups meet in your area, decide which one is right for you to join by calling the leaders of those groups. Ask questions about such things as the average age of group members, what a typical meeting is like and what type of activities the group participates in. Most people are more comfortable when they join groups that have members who are similar to them. So, for example, if you are a young person with arthritis, you will probably be happiest in a support group with members who are closer to your own age.
