The aim of this work is to create a methodology for the selection of older patients with a high degree of motivation to manage their disease in COPD. An algorithm for assessing the patient's motivation has been developed, consisting of 2 steps: a motivational interview and a calculation of motivational potential (MP). The interview is conducted using a questionnaire consisting of 4 blocks. Motivational potential is calculated as the sum of the influence contributions of blocks with selected weighting coefficients. The results of the MP potential assessment allow stratifying patients for participation in self-management programs into 3 psychotypes: motivated (MP≥0,5), unmotivated (MP≤0,25) and undecided (0,25≤MP≤0,5). To determine MP, 144 patients with COPD were interviewed: 111 men, mean age 68,5±4,6; women - 33, mean age 71,2±3,4 (minimum - 60 years, maximum - 75 years). The average duration of the disease was 5,48±1,2 years. 117 patients had stage 3 COPD, 27 patients had stage 2. It was found that 49/34% of patients have MT of 0.5 or more, 76/52,8% have 0,25 to 0,5, and 19/13,2% are unmotivated patients (MT<0,25). The proposed algorithm for assessing the motivational potential is distinguished by the simplicity of selecting elderly patients for the implementation of self-management programs in COPD.