‘Asthma Care for Adults’ lifestyle program begins March 19; register by March 12

Beginning March 19, the five-week, virtual Healthy Boiler wellness program “Asthma Care for Adults” will be offered via the Center for Healthy Living, supporting the physical health pillar of the Healthy Boiler Program. Attendees will meet weekly virtually on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 1 p.m. for the first two weeks and only on Thursdays for the final three weeks for a total of seven lessons.

“Asthma Care for Adults” 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. 

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 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 via the following seven, one-hour lessons:

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 their dependents with the target population being those:

• newly diagnosed with asthma
• previously diagnosed but interested in better understanding the disease process
• with a family member or dependent that has been diagnosed
• interested in better understanding asthma management

The program runs March 19 through April 18. Those interested should register by March 12 via the Healthy Boiler Portal. The registration link can be found under the “Healthy Boiler Workshops” section on the portal’s homepage. Hover over the “Asthma Care for Adults” square and hit “Submit” to register. 

Questions about the program can be directed to the CHL at 765-494-0111. 

Healthy Boiler workshops and lifestyle program are free to all benefits-eligible faculty and staff and their dependents.