8 ways to get someone ready for asthma self-management

I remember being diagnosed with asthma at 8 yrs old. I got bad colds often, coughed all night, and was not able to participate in gym class. I also got picked up from school frequently from being too sick to stay in class. My parents were scared that I was going to die in my sleep so I had to sleep in the bed with them for a year. I don't really remember what helped me gain asthma control back then. I just remember being on a lot of meds and my parents having to remove all the carpet in the house.

Asthma is a complex chronic disease. It takes a village to take care of a child with asthma. So imagine when a parent first hears the word asthma as a diagnosis for their child in the clinical setting, handed a written Asthma Action Plan, an Inhaler, a peak flow meter (depending on the age), and told to avoid asthma triggers. Everything was explained (we hope) and then the parent is asked do they have any questions. Most likely the parent is so overwhelmed they don't know what to ask. Then they go home with the child and all the new asthma self- management goodies. Now what? 2 weeks later the child is back in the ER for another asthma exacerbation.

How do we help this parent?

Here are 8 ways to get someone ready for asthma self-management

1. Motivational interviewing- Find out what the parents need, what their concerns are, do active listening, and listen with empathy. This is a great skill to have and takes time and practice to build up.

2. Tell them the truth as simple as possible - Asthma is not curable but it can be controlled and those that have asthma can have a normal life by working as a partner with the provider. The key is that they know it is a partnership. The provider and asthma team will do their job and the parent must do their duties as well to manage asthma.

3. Sell them the vision of asthma control - Describe what asthma control looks like in detail. Maybe the parent has gotten to the point where they believe their child is always going to be sick and that they just have to deal with it. Paint the picture of bliss with no missed school or work days, the child able to be more active without limits and building their self-confidence leading to an increased quality of life for both the child and family.

4. Get to know their health beliefs - Are they aware of the health concerns with uncontrolled asthma? Do they intend to make changes? Have they experience discouragement in the past in regards to asthma management? Are they ignoring the facts? You want to know where the parent is and if they can achieve the goals of helping their child gain asthma control.

5. Keep coaching them - Repeat important points and steps, but don't be annoying. Encourage and compliment every small improvement. This will build confidence in self-management.

6. Advocate for the parent - Help identify and remove barriers to asthma control. Remember this is a partnership. If you help remove barriers this will lift some of the parent loud off their shoulders and build trust. 

7. Set accountability - Again this is partnership, I did this for you, and now do your best to do the next steps. Being consistent with this is important because it help set boundaries where the parent is not completely dependent on others. As the coach, remind the parent what is needed and expected from them to achieve asthma control. 

8. Encourage self-care – Assess if the parent has ways to practice selfcare and have a support system. Offer tips that can simplify key areas in their lives like having daily routines and planning ahead.

Managing asthma on a day-by-day basis usually is a struggle and overwhelming for families.  Self-management at home can especially become complex with things like having to identify triggers, reducing those triggers, and keeping track of daily medications.

Do you have other ways that help prepare others for asthma self-management?

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#asthma #selfcare #healtheducation