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Real Life Example Name: Doris Age: 75 years "I am 75 and live alone. I first had asthma when I was 73. I was really surprised you could get it so old. I was very frightened as I know people can die from it. I don't get out much; I was really scared of having an attack at home. When you can't breathe it's very frightening. I couldn't seem to take my ventolin properly when I was breathless. My doctor sent me to the asthma clinic. The nurse there was so kind. She gave me a special plastic bulb called a spacer so that I could take my inhaler more easily. The nurse there explained what to do if I get breathless and when to get help if my medicine wasn't working. She wrote it down for me. I now feel much happier and not so worried about it all. She said I can see her again whenever I like". Comments Whatever your age when you develop asthma it can be very frightening for many reasons: fear of an attack, fear of taking the medications, fear of how it might affect your future to name but a few. In this case, Doris was scared of having an asthma attack. When she visited the asthma clinic she could talk to the nurse who gave her two simple but effective solutions: a spacer so she would be able to take her inhaler if she got breathless and a guide as to when she should get help. This made Doris feel more in control and less fearful of having an attack. She would know what to do now, if she did have one. This is an example of a very simple self-management plan; you can find out more about these in Having a Self-Management Plan.

Topic "Society and Self" Updated 14th August 2003

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