Caring For Older Folks With COPD Terri Fried, Carlos Fragoso, and Michael Rabow argue in the September 26, 2012 JAMA that older adults (age ~80 or above) with COPD and significant dyspnea are a distinct, complex group of patients with unique features and needs, and their doctors should think broadly and be willing to go "off-guidelines" in choosing therapies. Because these patients' dyspnea may impair all areas of their lives, doctors should take a multifaceted approach to assessing and treating older people with COPD.