10 Ways to Help a Loved One with COPD

NICE reports that 3 million people in the UK are living with COPD, with the disease being the second most common cause of emergency hospital admissions. As a chronic condition, understanding how to manage symptoms and support someone experiencing it can greatly improve their quality of life.

Today, we’ll explore 10 ways you can support a loved one navigate their diagnosis with compassion and dignity. We’ll also look into how a live-in or visiting carer can help.

What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

COPD is a progressive and chronic condition that affects how we breathe, making everyday activities much more challenging. For example, taking the dog for a stroll or walking up stairs may leave a person with COPD breathless and in pain. As a result, this often leads to a decreased quality of life.

COPD is the name for a group of lung conditions, including:

• Emphysema: Damage to the air sacs in the lungs
• Chronic bronchitis: Long-term inflammation of the airways

COPD commonly affects middle-aged or older adults who smoke, with around two-thirds of people not even realising they have it. Since COPD is a progressive disease, symptoms get worse over time. However, the correct treatment plan can keep the condition under control.

Practical tips to help a loved one living with COPD

The importance of supportive care cannot be overstated when it comes to COPD, as it plays a vital role in managing the disease and keeping spirits high. Here are 10 ways to offer a loved one with COPD emotional and practical support:

1. Encourage them to quit smoking or vaping

Smoking and vaping are detrimental to the health of a person’s lungs, and they can even contribute to the development of COPD. If your loved one has been diagnosed and hasn’t yet managed to kick the habit, supporting them through it is crucial. To do this, you could:

• Find smoking or COPD support groups for encouragement from people in a similar situation
• Provide emotional and practical support
• Research medical treatment that promotes healthier habits
• Help them find the best nicotine-free products to support them on their journey, such as chewing gum and patches

Your loved one should notice a reduction in their symptoms as soon as they stop smoking, and the longer they keep away from tobacco and nicotine products, the more benefits they’ll notice. For many, this is the first step to living a healthier lifestyle while managing their COPD.

2. Make their living space COPD-friendly

A COPD-friendly home will work wonders for managing symptoms and improving quality of life. To optimise your loved one’s living space, try to:

• Limit the use of stairs by keeping their most-used belongings downstairs
• Keeping windows and doors open to ensure good ventilation
• Remove clutter to enhance accessibility and reduce their risk of falling
• Consider installing adaptive equipment, including a shower chair, a raised toilet seat and handrails
• Create a quiet area where they can rest when they’re feeling breathless, surrounded by snacks and entertainment, so they don’t have to move too much

3. Help them lead a healthy lifestyle

Good nutrition is a crucial player in managing COPD symptoms, as certain foods can support lung health and help your loved one maintain a healthy weight. Keep the kitchen stocked with easy-to-grab healthy meals and snacks so they don’t have to exert too much energy preparing their food.

Hydration is also essential, but you need to find the right balance between properly hydrating the body without triggering fluid overload.

Being under- or overweight can exacerbate COPD symptoms, so maintaining proper nutrition along with a light exercise routine can maintain lung health and prevent flare-ups. Work with your loved one’s doctor to find the best exercise routine for them that won’t put too much strain on their lungs.

4. Use a purifier to keep indoor air clean

COPD symptoms can also be exacerbated by toxin-heavy air, so maintaining a clean environment within your loved one’s home can prevent flare-ups. To keep indoor air as clean and fresh as possible, we recommend an air purifier. This sucks in air, removes airborne irritants and sends it back out much cleaner and healthier than before.

Other ways to keep indoor air clean include avoiding smoking indoors, limiting the amount of aerosol products you use and keeping the home free of dust. A proper ventilation system, along with keeping windows open during the day, will also work wonders.

5. Know how to recognise a COPD flare-up

There are several things that can cause a COPD flare-up, such as smoke inhalation, colds and lung infections. A flare-up is often rather scary and concerning for the person going through it, especially when it requires in-hospital care as a result.

Signs of a COPD flare-up include:

• More extreme breathlessness
• A tight chest
• Differently coloured spittle
• Increased coughing
• Fever

The quicker you can get your loved one medical assistance during a flare-up, the easier it’ll be to manage symptoms and control excess lung damage. A flare-up becomes a medical emergency if:

• Your loved one’s lips or fingernails begin turning blue
• They struggle to talk or catch their breath
• Their heartbeat increases to a rapid pace
• They begin showing signs of confusion or delirium
• Their usual treatment isn’t working as it normally does

6. Track their medication and oxygen schedule

Your loved one’s healthcare team will most likely be managing their symptoms with a range of treatments, including medication and supplemental oxygen. Tracking their medication times, doses and how much oxygen they’re using, either on your phone or in a notebook, allows you to support their treatment regimen. It also helps make sure you always know when they need their next prescription filled, so they’re never without their treatment.

7. Attend appointments with them

Going with your loved one to their doctor’s appointments not only provides moral support, but can also be a great way for you to learn more about COPD from a professional. They’ll be able to tell you the specifics of your loved one’s case, including future outcomes, treatment plans and their current progress.

A friend or family member’s presence during appointments may give your loved one more confidence to ask questions and feel more at ease with their doctor. We recommend bringing a list of questions to ask and a notebook to take notes so you don’t forget anything important.

Playing an active role in your loved one’s care plan allows you to advocate for their needs and preferences, keeping them as comfortable and supported as possible.

8. Encourage their independence

Encouraging your loved one to do things independently for themselves instead of jumping to do everything for them improves quality of life tenfold. Instead of using a wheelchair to move them around the house, provide a walker or trolley that they can use, supporting them from a small distance in case they need stabilising.

Adding a shower chair and grab bars to the bathroom also helps them bathe themselves and use the toilet independently. A perching stool in the kitchen can be useful if they get breathless while cooking. Looking for ways to promote independence makes living with COPD much easier and more dignifying for your loved one.

9. Create an emergency plan

No one wants to think about the risk of an emergency arising, but it’s crucial that you have an emergency plan in place should your loved one’s condition deteriorate or experience a medical emergency. Your emergency plan should include:

• A list of their medications
• Emergency contact information
• A clear plan of action for flare-ups
• The location of essential items, such as inhalers and oxygen supplies
• Your loved one’s advance directives and healthcare proxies

Creating an emergency plan with your loved one ahead of time ensures that their wishes are respected, no matter what happens.

10. Consider professional care

As your loved one’s COPD advances, it may come with more apparent and debilitating symptoms, along with more flare-ups. They may require more support and time than you have to offer, which is where a professional carer comes in. A visiting carer can offer short visits to check on your loved one while you’re not available, while live-in care offers round-the-clock support.

Carers trained in COPD bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to your loved one, so you know they’re in good hands when you can’t be there. A carer will help with daily tasks, companionship and more, positively impacting their quality of life.

How Trinity Homecare can help

If your loved one requires expert COPD care to manage their symptoms and treatment options, Trinity Homecare’s carers are here to help. We’ll perfectly match your loved one with a carer experienced and trained in COPD management, so they can get well-acquainted with the newest member of their support system.

The care we provide includes:

• One-to-one support at home
• Completely bespoke live-in care that has been tailored to you
• Specialist care for a number of different circumstances
• Home carers carefully matched to your needs
• CQC rated ‘Outstanding’ live-in care services

Our COPD care includes daily home help, personal care, symptom and medication management, mobility assistance and plenty more. Rest assured that your loved one will benefit from the highest standard of care and support from one of England’s top 3% nationwide care companies.

Talk to us today

If your loved one requires home care, chat with one of our friendly care team today. We offer a free, no-obligation enquiry and assessment service and are happy to offer information and advice to help you find the perfect home care solution.

Call us on 020 4572 5583 in confidence for a free, no obligation quotation. If enquiring outside of our opening hours, please complete our online form and we will contact you the next day.