There are several steps you can take today to help improve life for someone with COPD.
COPD has a significant effect on a person’s quality of life. Symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing make day-to-day life a challenge. On top of the physical symptoms, COPD makes a person more susceptible to respiratory infections, depression, and anxiety.
Fortunately, there are many ways to help improve life for someone with COPD. As a family caregiver for someone with COPD, there are steps you can take in the areas of diet, exercise, and the home environment to help with symptoms and overall wellbeing. Follow the tips below to learn how to help your loved one stay healthy, active, and well as they manage their COPD.
How Can You Help Improve Life for Someone With COPD?
- Exercise together. While working out can be challenging for someone with COPD, it can also strengthen respiratory muscles and make it easier to breathe. Encourage your loved one to talk to their doctor about an exercise program that would be right for them, and then get active together. Go for walks or hit the gym together, working at the pace that is appropriate for your loved one and gradually increasing as their body allows.
- Stay away if you’re sick. One of the best things you can do for a loved one with COPD is keep yourself healthy and stay away from them if you get sick. For a person with COPD, respiratory infections can exacerbate symptoms. As a caregiver, make sure you get a yearly flu shot, avoid the person if possible if you become sick, or wear a face mask and disinfect surfaces if you live in the same home as your loved one.
- Keep indoor air clean. Indoor air pollution from dust, cleaning products, perfumes, and other irritants can trigger COPD symptoms. Avoid using strong scented cleaning products or perfumes unless the home is well ventilated. Make sure the home is as dust-free as possible and consider using an air purification system to cut down on air pollution in the home.
