How Does a Class on COPD Help Patients Ages 50-85

Sample Solution

It is estimated that Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) affects nearly 16 million Americans, and most of these individuals are over the age of 50. COPD is a serious lung disease that can cause difficulty breathing and can even lead to hospitalization if left untreated. Despite its prevalence, many patients do not have access to education or resources about COPD, which leaves them at risk for mismanaging their symptoms and exacerbations that may result in hospital admissions.

However, by offering classes on COPD tailored specifically towards older adults ages 50-85 years old, individuals can increase their knowledge and understanding of the condition while simultaneously decreasing their hospital admissions over one year when compared with those who did not receive such an educational class. A class on COPD provided to patients ages 50-85 could benefit individuals in various ways. By increasing the patient’s understanding of their own diagnosis, they would be more likely to recognize early symptoms before they become severe enough to require urgent care or admission into a hospital. Patients would also be able to better manage their medications as well as identify lifestyle changes that could help improve overall health outcomes including exercise regimens specific for those with weak lungs due to COPD as well as nutrition plans tailored for optimal respiratory support. In addition, a class on COPD may provide emotional support through peer-to-peer discussions where people can talk about challenges faced due to living with the condition while learning how best they can take control over it instead of feeling overwhelmed or hopeless by it. Furthermore, studies have shown a decrease in healthcare utilization among those enrolled in structured self-management programs which involve interaction between healthcare providers and patients over long periods of time using both face-to-face meetings and telehealth technology platforms (Shah et al., 2018). Other studies have suggested this type of intervention has been associated with improved quality of life scores along with increased cognitive functioning amongst participants (Sanz & Miravitlles et al., 2009). Additionally, there is evidence from research conducted in primary care setting showing significant reductions in emergency room visits as well as lengthier stays once hospitalized (Nesset et al., 2016). These findings suggest providing educational classes on COPD tailor made for older adults ages 50 through 85 could significantly decrease hospital admissions over one year versus those who did not attend such an educational class. In conclusion, offering classes on COPD tailored specifically towards older adults aged 50 through 85 provides numerous benefits ranging from gaining knowledge about managing symptoms effectively to providing much needed emotional support leading up improved quality of life scores along with decreased healthcare utilization overall resulting less frequent hospital admissions when compared against those without such an intervention program available