For the millions of people with COPD — diagnosed or not — every day, every minute, every step can be affected by this chronic and progressive condition. This What’s Hot addresses what is known about the prevalence, incidence, and impact of COPD in older adults. It summarizes the symptoms and differential diagnoses for the disease and identifies the reasons for underdiagnosis in older adults. Treatment options following the GOLD guidelines are explained, along with steps to improve the process of diagnosis and treatment. Early diagnosis and optimal management through pulmonary rehabilitation, immunizations, smoking cessation support, behavioral changes, oxygen therapy when needed, management of associated comorbidities, and pharmacotherapy will enable people with COPD to improve symptoms, increase functional capacity, and live life to its fullest.

Dr. Melissa Batchelor (Director of the Center for Aging and Health and Humanities and Associate Professor at George Washington University School of Nursing) speaks with Dr. Barbara Yawn about her journey to becoming Chief Clinical Officer of the COPD Foundation. Dr. Yawn shares the misconceptions about COPD in older adults and challenges that lead to underdiagnosis. She discusses treatment options – both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic – and the importance of an interdisciplinary team in treating COPD.

A fact sheet based on the GSA publication, What’s Hot: Recognizing and Treating COPD in Older Adults.