Lung health in older adults

Abstract

One in five people in the UK live with lung disease. The National Taskforce for Lung Health, supported by 29 organisations, published its report in December 2018 with 43 recommendations for the UK, most of which are highly relevant to older adults. Prevention is key, especially relating to the introduction of clean air zones and air pollution alerts. Older adults may be even more prone to the adverse effects of particulate matter. Earlier and accurate diagnosis could improve survival for lung cancer, as well as health status for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and related conditions. Currently, less than half of patients on inhalers receive an annual check, and there are one in five patients with COPD who should be on home oxygen but are not. By contrast, one in three people on oxygen do not benefit. Social isolation is common in people with lung disease, who would benefit from a personalised care plan and better access to pulmonary rehabilitation, which is also of benefit to those who are frail. Patients with lung diseases are much less likely to have conversations about advance care planning than in other conditions, probably because of the unpredictable nature of their illness, and variability of symptoms. The taskforce recommends that all healthcare professionals should be able to offer basic end of life advice.