COPD is a common disease, with more than 30 million people throughout the United States living with the condition, and is the third leading cause of death, leading to the death of more than 120,000 Americans each year. As a family caregiver this illuminates how important it is for you to give your senior loved one the care that they need to manage their condition in the way that is right for them throughout their later years.
Use these tips to help you care for a senior living with COPD:
Consider elderly care.
Seniors with COPD struggle to take deep breaths or to catch their breath. This means that they can lose their breath easily and tire quickly. Starting elderly care for them can take pressure of some daily tasks off of them so that they can conserve their energy.
Avoid smoke.
Between 80 and 90 percent of cases of COPD are caused by smoking. Discourage your parent from smoking and help them to avoid environments where they will be exposed to secondhand smoke.
Avoid pollution.
Help your parent pay attention to the air health ratings for their area and avoid going out of the home when the pollution levels are high. This can help to reduce lung irritation and prevent symptoms.
Avoid pollution indoors.
Keep in mind that the air inside the average home is far more polluted than the air outside. This means that you will need to take steps to make the air that your parent breathes in their home as healthy as possible. Utilize an air purifier and filter to make sure that pollutants and particles are removed from the air.
Take their time.
When your parent is involved with an activity, encourage them to take their time so they do not lose their breath and become winded. If they start to feel short of breath, they should take a break.
Encourage breathing exercises.
Help your parent learn breathing exercises that will help them to catch their breath and bring in the air that they need when they are feeling short of breath. This includes relaxation exercises, deep breathing, and focusing that allows them to concentrate on breathing in and out.
If your aging parent is in need of additional care and assistance, or you feel that they would benefit from more support and companionship for a more active lifestyle, starting elderly care for them might be exactly what you are looking for. An elderly home care service provider can be there for your parent on a fully customized schedule to not only ensure that they are getting the care, assistance, and support that they need, but also to encourage a more active, engaged, and independent lifestyle as they age in place.
A set of highly personalized services will be tailored specifically to their needs, challenges, and limitations so that your parent can address these in the way that is right for them. As a family caregiver it can give you tremendous peace of mind knowing that your parent is in good hands and getting everything that they need both when you are with them and when you are not. This can ease your stress and help you to focus your energy, attention, and resources in the most effective and efficient ways.
If you or an aging loved one are considering elderly care in Garner, NC or the surrounding areas, please contact the friendly staff at HomeChoice Home Care Solutions. Call today (919) 847-5622.
