Can Asthma Management Programs Improve Self-Care in Older Adults?

Among patients with asthma, older patients have greater morbidity and higher healthcare costs than younger patients. Researchers in New York City evaluated an asthma self-management program delivered either at home or in a clinic. A total of 406 patients (age, ≥60) with persistent, uncontrolled asthma were randomized to a home-based intervention, a clinic-based intervention, or usual care; follow-up was 1 year. In the intervention groups, trained asthma care coaches identified individual barriers to self-management, developed personalized remedial actions (e.g., asthma education, improving inhaler technique and adherence, reducing home allergens and tobacco smoke), and provided reinforcement.

The two intervention groups had similar outcomes.…