The document discusses challenges to respiratory health and healing in elderly adults. Common respiratory diseases in elders include COPD, sleep disordered breathing, pulmonary embolism, bronchial asthma, tuberculosis, lung cancer, and respiratory infections. Risk factors include smoking, lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, tobacco use, excessive alcohol, age, heredity, and low socioeconomic status. Medical management includes fast-acting drugs, long-term control medications, oxygen therapy, and inhalation devices. Nurses monitor for dyspnea and hypoxia, encourage coughing and breathing techniques, and provide patient education.