Objective
The main objective of the given paper is to analyze the reasons of emergence of asthma among the elderly population, as well as research peculiarities of this group’s reaction to this condition as compared to other age groups with asthma. According to Vasmus, older people suffering from asthma are more sensitive to allergic reactions, impaired lung functions, and a considerably diminished quality of life (10). In the majority of cases, educating the elderly with asthma could pose challenges for all groups of patients. Inefficient treatment of asthma creates economic burdens as well and, therefore, the emergency departments and medical establishments should be more concerned with this problem.
Methods/Procedure
By investigating the environmental triggers, analyzing the current trends in medication management, and estimating people’s mental fitness and cognition, the scholar tries to define the way people react to the problem of asthma, as well as analyze their capacity to receive, process, and define the core information about health-related issues. By focusing on these three dimensions, the education specialist starts with evaluating the environmental factors, such as irritants, environmental tobacco smoke, and aeroallergens that are considered the risk factors for the emergence of asthma in all groups.
Treating the problem of asthma in the elderly population is also perceived from the viewpoint of effective medication adherence and management. The role of healthcare professionals, therefore, consists in defining possible risks factors that relate to the disease development. Finally, educator defines patients’ ability to work out coping mechanisms that can help them to diminish the severity of the asthma symptoms.
Results
75 % of the elderly with asthma are sensitive to inhaled allergens, although there is no persuasive evidence that proves the connection between asthma development and aeroallergen exposure (Vasmus 10). The report has also discovered that elderly patients with asthma often react best to the therapy that combines anticholinergic inhaled treatment and beta-2 agonist therapy. Finally, it has been found out that elderly people from 65 to 102 years old are largely influenced by cognitive impairment while treating asthma, including depression and stress disorder (Vasmus 11). The findings prove that 60 % of asthma patients follow the prescriptions of the physicians.
Conclusions
Although the report provides an extensive overview of risk factors, treatment, and medication management of asthma in the elderly population, there is still lack of research that can strengthen the quality of treatment for the group under consideration. Additionally, the research should also focus on other efficient interventions that can reduce the percentage of people with impaired lung function.
Works Cited
Vasmus, Rhonda. Educating the Elderly with Asthma. Chronic Disease Manager, (2013): 10-12. Print.