Participants were recruited from Kaiser Permanente Northwest (KPNW), an HMO with 450,000 members in Portland, OR. All were adults ≥50 years of age with asthma and/or COPD who were symptomatic despite using daily breathing medications. They were screened by phone to collect information on asthma symptoms, medications, health care utilization, and co-morbid illnesses. Eligible persons attended a baseline visit to further assess eligibility and collect baseline data, including smoking status, co-morbidities, and participant demographics. Spirometry was performed before and twenty minutes after administration of four puffs of inhaled albuterol delivered by metered dose inhaler. All participants received instructions about the use of a peak flow meter; maintenance of a daily asthma diary with peak flow measurements, symptoms, and medications; and optimal use of an MDI by spacer.