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Adaptation training course for persons with a rare connective tissue disease

Kela provides adaptation training courses for adults suffering from a rare connective tissue disease. The adaptation training is multidisciplinary and group-based.

When participating in adaptation training, you are provided with support to manage problems in your daily life and help to come to terms with your situation. The purpose of the rehabilitation provided is to maintain and improve the clients’ ability to work, study and function, and to promote life management and self-care skills. At the course, you are also provided with information about your condition and about rehabilitation practices and support networks available in your area. 

The adaptation training course is suitable for you, if

  • you have been diagnosed with a rare connective tissue disease
  • a planned rehabilitation programme can help you maintain your work capacity and functioning
  • you are able to function independently enough to, for example, move around the service provider’s premises without constant assistance and to participate in group-based rehabilitation.

Rehabilitation is arranged for adults with

  • Sjögren’s syndrome (SS)
  • A systemic connective tissue disease such as
    • SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus)
    • Polymyositis/dermatomyositis
    • Systemic sclerosis
    • Scleroderma
    • CREST syndrome
    • MCTD syndrome
    • Polychondritis
  • Vasculitis, for example
    • Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN)
    • Churg-Strauss Syndrome (CSS)
    • Wegener's granulomatosis (granulomatosis with polyangiitis - GPA)
    • Behçet’s disease (BD)
    • Temporal arteritis (inflammation of the temporal lobe)

Use the course search to look up when courses are arranged

Use the search term ”sidekudossairaus”. Please note, the service is in Finnish and Swedish only.

Rehabilitation course search

Purpose of the course

The aim of the course is to provide support in the changed situation caused by the disease. You will also receive information and guidance to help you to continue living a life that is as full and meaningful as possible despite your condition. Rehabilitation is also a way of strengthening your resources and life management skills in order for you to be able to function as independently and actively as possible in your everyday life.

Content of the course and implementation

The rehabilitation is implemented as group rehabilitation taking each client’s individual goal and need for rehabilitation into consideration.

The course includes group discussions and working in small groups, a variety of activities as well as individual interviews, meetings and discussions with rehabilitation experts.

The rehabilitation is arranged on the service provider’s premises. Each course lasts 10 days and it is divided into 2 periods. You can stay overnight at the place of the rehabilitation or travel there from home each day.

Course personnel

The course is implemented by the following experts:

  • specialist in rheumatic diseases
  • two physiotherapists
  • registered nurse or public health nurse.

Depending on your individual needs, other rehabilitation professionals and assisting personnel may also take part.

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Last modified 19/6/2023