Every person living with asthma should have an asthma action plan. Asthma action plans are written documents developed by you and your health care provider, listing customized steps to prevent and handle an asthma episode.
Asthma Action Plans
WHAT'S IN AN ASTHMA ACTION PLAN?
An asthma action plan should include:
- Instructions for appropriate use of asthma medications
- What actions to take when you are (or your child is) having symptoms of asthma or a low peak flow meter reading
- Signs of an asthma episode (or asthma attack)
- When to seek emergency care
- Emergency contact information
Below are sample asthma action plans you can download. Print and take the appropriate one with you to your next health care provider visit.
Asthma Action Plan 0-5 Years | Plan Para el Asma Infantil
Instructions for Parents | Documento de Instrucciones
Copies of your child’s asthma action plan should be shared and reviewed with school administrators, child care providers and any other individuals who care for your child. Visit Asthma at School for additional resources.
PROPER EDUCATION IS NECESSARY
Asthma management education goes hand in hand with an asthma action plan.
Learn how to use your medicines correctly. If you take inhaled medicines, you should practice using your inhaler at your health care provider’s office. If you take long-term control medicines, take them daily as your health care provider prescribes. Your health care provider may also advise you to use a peak flow meter to measure and record how well your lungs are working.
Every time you use an inhaler, it is important to also use a spacer. This device helps you get more medication into the lungs. Learn how to use an inhaler properly with a spacer.
RHA offers Fight Asthma Now©, an asthma self-management curriculum delivered to youth and teens in school settings. RHA’s asthma educators use engaging and active lesson plans to give youth and teens the tools and knowledge they need to identify and avoid triggers, manage asthma episodes and control asthma on a long-term basis.
Each adult in a child’s life needs information on how to:
- Remove triggers from a home, school or childcare center
- Prevent asthma episodes
- Help deliver asthma medicines
- Handle asthma emergencies
RHA offers Asthma Management, a one-hour program for caregivers, to schools and in community settings. RHA’s Asthma-Friendly Childcare toolkit is also available.
For more information about Fight Asthma Now© or Asthma Management, contact Syntyche Kanku, Program Coordinator, via email at skanku@resphealth.org or by phone at (312) 628-0227.