‘Asthma Care for Adults’ lifestyle program begins March 17; register by March 13 

Beginning March 17, a four-week, virtual wellness program — “Asthma Care for Adults” — will be offered via the Center for Healthy Living (CHL). Attendees will meet weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 1 p.m. ET for the first two weeks and only on Thursdays for the final two weeks for a total of six lessons.

The “Asthma Care for Adults” program was developed by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) to help adults and their caregivers learn how to manage asthma. According to AAFA, approximately 25 million Americans — or about one in 13 — have asthma. The program supports the physical health pillar of the Your Path Wellness Program.

Program goals for participants include:

• Understanding asthma pathophysiology
• Recognizing personal symptoms and triggers
• Understanding the importance of medications
• Developing an action plan
• Reducing the number of sick visits relating to asthma exacerbations

The workshop will be co-presented by the CHL’s Cheryl Laszynski, registered nurse health coach, and Whitney Soto, lead registered nurse health coach. The six, one-hour lessons include:

1. Asthma basics
2. Asthma triggers
3. Controlling asthma triggers
4. Asthma medicines and equipment
5. Asthma action plan
6. Communicating with the asthma team and asthma management goals

Donna Mullins, i-9 specialist in payroll and tax services at Purdue, shared that before taking the “Asthma Care for Adults” program, she really did not know what questions she should be asking her physician about asthma in general.

“I realized that while I had been treated for asthma for several years, I knew very little about asthma and treatment options overall,” Mullins said. “During the program, I learned the full spectrum of what asthma is, what triggers my symptoms, what treatments are available and the importance of having open discussions with my physician.”

The free program is available to all benefits-eligible employees on the West Lafayette, Fort Wayne and Northwest (Hammond and Westville) campuses as well as in Indianapolis and dependents covered on a Purdue medical plan with the target population being those:

• Newly diagnosed with asthma
• Previously diagnosed but interested in better understanding disease process
• With a family member/dependent that has been diagnosed
• Interested in better understanding asthma management

Mullins encourages others to participate in the program.

“The discussions between presenters and participants were very informative,” she said. “The program content helped me understand that there are various signs and symptoms of asthma. I learned the importance of having an action plan prepared for situations when medication was not managing my asthma or when an asthma attack is bad enough to contact my provider immediately. The handouts are well-written and great for guidance on keeping an asthma-friendly home (checklist). I refer back to the handouts regularly.”

The program runs March 17 through April 9. Those interested should register by March 13 via the Your Path Wellness Portal. The registration link can be found under the “Activities” section on the homepage of the new portal. Scroll down to the “Asthma Care for Adults” box under the “Workshops” section and click the “Details” button to learn more and register.

Questions about the “Asthma Care for Adults” program can be directed to the CHL at 765-494-0111.

Your Path workshops and lifestyle programs are free to all benefits-eligible faculty and staff and their dependents.