Caregiving for COPD Patients

Because of the progressively degenerating path of the disease, caregiving for COPD patients is a very important part of obtaining quality of life. Let Above & Beyond Home Health Care be an active part of taking control of your COPD symptoms and focusing on life.

What is COPD?

COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and is defined by the NIH as a progressive disease of the lungs with certain symptoms.

• Difficulty breathing (shortness of breath)
• Coughing
• Tightness of the Chest
• Wheezing
• Mucus in the lungs/chest
• Fatigue

10 COPD Facts

1. There are 112 Americans with COPD
2. One leading cause for COPD is smoking
3. As many as 24 million Americans may be undiagnosed
4. 3^rd leading cause of death in the U.S.
5. Irritants such as 2^nd hand smoke, air pollution, work place fumes can also cause COPD
6. Most commonly diagnosed in the middle-aged to older years of life
7. The term COPD encompasses 2 main diseases (Emphysema & Chronic Bronchitis)
8. It is not contagious
9. There is currently no cure for COPD
10. COPD is a leading cause of disability in the U.S.

Caregiving for COPD Patients

HOW, WHO, WHAT?

It is possible to enjoy a life filled with quality and happiness when you’ve been diagnosed with COPD. Accepting the help of others is the first step to living a better life as you work at battling the progressive symptoms ahead.

• HOW Caregiving Helps – Our health care team will work closely with your family and your physician(s) to
  • Treat your symptoms
  • Focus on slowing down progress of the disease
  • Create an overall high level quality of life

Our home health care team works closely with your family and your physicians.
We will help ensure that

• In-home treatments are performed properly and regularly
• You are able to get to your appointments when scheduled and
• Help keep a close eye on the progression of the disease

• WHO Caregiving Helps – Caregiving can give those around you a chance to rest and know that their loved one is safe and being provided for when it comes to everyday life tasks. Both the patient with COPD and their families will benefit from care; indirectly and directly affecting the patient’s quality of life.
• WHAT Caregivers do to Help – Providing help with standard daily tasks is an important part of services provided. Respite care can provide unpaid caregivers a bit of reprieve from providing help as well as receiving regular care from our skilled nursing staff, home health aides, and in home therapy services can be extremely beneficial in saving your strength to allow you to enjoy the aspects of life you prefer to enjoy.

Above & Beyond truly does provide in home health care that goes above and beyond just everyday caregiving. We understand how important the entire picture of caregiving for COPD patients is and how the right team can give you a better life, every day.

Cited Works:

The Mayo Clinic – Early COPD Symptoms by Robin Madell, October 13, 2016 – Graham Rogers, MD & Beth Holloway, RN, MeD

Photo by brizzle born and bred