Asthma Care for Adults lifestyle program begins March 21; register by March 13

Beginning March 21, a five-week virtual Healthy Boiler wellness program – Asthma Care for Adults –  will be offered via the Center for Healthy Living, which supports the physical health pillar of the Healthy Boiler Program. Attendees will meet from noon to 1 p.m. weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the first two weeks and only on Thursdays for the final three weeks for a total of seven sessions. 

The Asthma Care for Adults program was developed by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America to help adults and their caregivers learn how to manage asthma. According to AAFA, approximately 25 million – or about one in 13 – Americans have asthma.

Program goals for participants are for them to be able to:

• Understand asthma pathophysiology.
• Recognize personal symptoms and triggers.
• Understand the importance of medications.
• Develop an action plan.
• Reduce the number of sick visits relating to asthma exacerbations.

The workshop will be co-presented by Cheryl Laszynski and Whitney Soto, registered nurse health coaches at the CHL. The program covers asthma basics, recognizing symptoms and triggers, asthma action plans, and an overview of different types of asthma medications. The seven 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
7. Asthma Management Goals

The free program is available to all benefits-eligible employees on the West Lafayette, Fort Wayne and Northwest (Hammond and Westville) campuses and dependents with the target population being those:

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

The program runs from March 21 through April 20. Those interested should register by March 13 via the Healthy Boiler Portal. The registration link can be found under the “Healthy Boiler Workshops” section on the portal’s home page. Hover over the “Asthma Care for Adults” square and hit “Submit” to register.

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