Challenges of asthma management in older adults
Eze, Chika; Fondo, Walter (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025092325020
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025092325020
Tiivistelmä
Abstract
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease which affects people regardless of their age. However, asthma impact on older adults who are aged between 65 years and above have some challenges that are often been overlooked. Older adults who are asthmatic may face challenges such as memory loss, physical weakness and even limited access to healthcare services. These factors make asthma more difficult to manage and increase the risk of complications especially with older adults.
The purpose of this study is to review and identify the challenges faced by older adults in managing asth-ma. A literature review method was adopted. Relevant studies which were published between 2014 and 2024 were selected from academic databases such as PubMed Central, CINAHL and Google Scholar. The search focused on peer-reviewed articles which were written in English and related specifically to asthma in older adults. Findings from the study showed that many older adults experience poor asthma control due to delayed diagnosis or inappropriate treatment and medication side effects. Comorbid conditions such as heart disease and diabetes also make asthma symptoms worse.
In addition, many elderly patients do not fully understand how to use their medications especially inhal-ers. Social and economic factors, such as poverty and poor access to healthcare have also worsened the condition. Findings from the study also showed that nurses’ role in asthma management is very im-portant. Nurses provide patient education; help monitor symptoms and support treatment adherence. It was found that effective nurse-led education and personalized care can improve health outcomes in old-er asthmatic patients. The study however concludes that asthma in older adults is a growing public health concern which requires more attention, better diagnosis and improved management strategies. There is also an important need for healthcare professionals to be trained on how to care for elderly asthma pa-tients.
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease which affects people regardless of their age. However, asthma impact on older adults who are aged between 65 years and above have some challenges that are often been overlooked. Older adults who are asthmatic may face challenges such as memory loss, physical weakness and even limited access to healthcare services. These factors make asthma more difficult to manage and increase the risk of complications especially with older adults.
The purpose of this study is to review and identify the challenges faced by older adults in managing asth-ma. A literature review method was adopted. Relevant studies which were published between 2014 and 2024 were selected from academic databases such as PubMed Central, CINAHL and Google Scholar. The search focused on peer-reviewed articles which were written in English and related specifically to asthma in older adults. Findings from the study showed that many older adults experience poor asthma control due to delayed diagnosis or inappropriate treatment and medication side effects. Comorbid conditions such as heart disease and diabetes also make asthma symptoms worse.
In addition, many elderly patients do not fully understand how to use their medications especially inhal-ers. Social and economic factors, such as poverty and poor access to healthcare have also worsened the condition. Findings from the study also showed that nurses’ role in asthma management is very im-portant. Nurses provide patient education; help monitor symptoms and support treatment adherence. It was found that effective nurse-led education and personalized care can improve health outcomes in old-er asthmatic patients. The study however concludes that asthma in older adults is a growing public health concern which requires more attention, better diagnosis and improved management strategies. There is also an important need for healthcare professionals to be trained on how to care for elderly asthma pa-tients.