Managing Asthma

Although often thought of as a childhood disease, asthma is common among adults too. In fact, it affects about 1 in 14 adults in the United States. If you are one of them, find out how a self-management education program (SME) can help you learn to take control of your asthma so you can breathe easier and live a full and active life.

Asthma-Specific SME Programs

Breathe Well, Live Well: an Asthma Management Program for Adults

Cost: Varies by organization and mode of delivery.
Format:  Varies.

The Breathe Well, Live Well Guide can be used for self study, telephone counseling, or in-person educational sessions. Breathe Well, Live Well is an American Lung Association program for adults who want to learn how to take control of their asthma and feel better. This program walks you through understanding your asthma, including what can make your asthma symptoms worse. You can also learn how to build an asthma support team, as well as how and when to take your medications so that you can keep your asthma in check.

Topics include:

• Understanding your asthma.
• Building your asthma support team.
• Taking asthma medications.
• Using tools for daily self-management.
• Following good health habits.

Visit the American Lung Association website to learn more about Breathe Well, Live Well: an Asthma Management Program for Adults.

General Chronic Disease SME Programs

In addition to the asthma-specific program above, the following SME programs that are for people with any chronic condition, including asthma.

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program

 Cost: Varies by organization, rarely more than $50.
 Format: In-person workshop.

The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program is a 6-week interactive workshop for people with all types of chronic conditions. This course, developed by Stanford University, can help people with one or more chronic conditions learn the strategies to manage your condition and have the confidence to carry them out.  This interactive workshop meets for 2.5 hours per week for 6 weeks in convenient community locations.  It is led by trained leaders, at least one of whom has a chronic condition. This workshop is known by a variety of different names, including Living Well. It also is available in Spanish.

Subjects covered include:

• Techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation.
• Appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance.
• Appropriate use of medications.
• Communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals.
• Managing depression.
• Better breathing techniques.
• Relaxation techniques.
• Healthy eating habits.
• Making good decisions about your health.
• How to evaluate new treatments.

Visit the Stanford website to learn more about the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program. Locate organizations licensed to offer the program in your area on the Evidence-Based Leadership Council website.

 

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program: Tool Kit for Active Living

Cost: $43.96.
Format: Self-study toolkit.

The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program Tool Kit for Active Living provides much of the same information as the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) in a self-study format that you can receive by mail. The tool kit helps you construct your own self management plan to deal with your chronic condition(s) through exercise, and strategies to reduce stress, fatigue, pain and other symptoms. It encourages goal setting, action planning, and thinking and acting proactively. You can work through the toolkit at your own pace, focusing on areas most important to you. Also available in Spanish.

The self-study kit includes:

• The workbook Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions.
• Information Sheets briefly describing common problems and helpful solutions.
• A self-test that helps you identify elements and set priorities for a personal self-management plan.
• Action Plan description with instruction and examples for developing unique plan.
• Exercise Action Plan with hints and instruction on use of the other exercise and activity materials, Relaxation CD and Exercise CD.

Visit the Stanford website to learn more about the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program: Tool Kit for Active Living.

 

Tomando Control de su Salud

Cost: Varies by organization, rarely more than $50.
Format: In-person workshop.

This course, developed by Stanford University, is a 6-week interactive workshop for Spanish speaking adults with all types of chronic conditions.  If you have one or more chronic condition, this program can help you learn the strategies and skills to manage your health and your condition(s) more effectively and live your everyday life. All the workshop sessions are held in Spanish. It is very similar to the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), but was developed to be culturally appropriate for Spanish speaking adults. Workshop sessions are held for 2.5 hours per week for 6 weeks at convenient community locations.

Topics include:

• Techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation.
• Appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance.
• Managing depression.
• Appropriate use of medications.
• Communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals.
• Healthy eating habits.
• Better breathing techniques.
• Relaxation techniques.
• Appropriate use of the health care system.
• Making good decisions about your health.
• How to evaluate new treatments.

Visit the Stanford website to learn more about Tomando Control de su Salud. Locate organizations licensed to offer the program in your area on the Evidence-Based Leadership Council website.

Learn More About Asthma

• Chronic Disease Information In Your State
• American Lung Association
• CDC Asthma Information