COPD and the Elderly: What Should You Know?
Unfortunately, there are millions of United States citizens that have COPD or chronic inflammatory lung disease. This condition can be very painful and even fatal. If your elderly loved one has COPD, it is very important that you or senior home care providers help them to best manage the condition.
Breathing Tips for People with COPD
One of the most important things, when someone has COPD, is to help them breathe easier. This condition can severely impact your elderly loved one’s ability to breathe. However, some breathing tips that you or a home care provider can help your elderly loved one with include:
Senior Home Care in Orlando, FL: Seniors and COPD
- Breathing (in the nose for 2 breaths with mouth closed – do it for 2 breaths and then stop)
- Deep breathing isn’t necessary, just have them take small and slow breaths
- Pursing the lips and breathing out for a count of 4 breaths (do this throughout the day)
These tips have helped many others who have COPD. They could be beneficial to your elderly loved one, as well. These tips may help your elderly loved one to feel as if they are in control of their breathing which can help them to better cope with the COPD diagnosis, too.
Diaphragm Breathing Tips
Your elderly loved one’s doctor may recommend that they regularly breathe with their diaphragm, as well. Some of the tips that can help them to do this include:
- Sit in a comfortable position
- Relax their shoulders
- Put a hand on the stomach and the other hand on their chest
- Breath through the nose for a count of 2 breaths
- Purse their lips, press gently on the stomach and exhale slowly for a count of 2 breaths
In order to achieve maximum results, your elderly loved one should do these steps until they have control over their breathing. If they need help walking through these steps, you or a senior home care provider can assist with the process.
Various Other Tips for Breathing Better
There are many other tips for helping someone with COPD to breathe better. Some of these tips include:
- Sitting forward and using a table as support
- Keeping the body as relaxed as possible (less tension helps with breathing)
- Getting back support when standing
- Sleeping in a position that makes breathing easier (wedge pillows may be a good option)
With these tips, hopefully, your elderly loved one can breathe better.
Conclusion
If at any point, your elderly loved one can’t get control of their breathing with these tips or with any medications they are taking, make sure you or a senior care provider have them seek medical attention.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Senior Home Care in Orlando, FL please contact the caring staff at Winter Garden Senior Home Care today. (407) 347-2050
Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3815613/
https://www.cdc.gov/copd/index.html
Founder / Owner
Jennifer Talbot is the Co-Owner of Winter Garden Senior Home Care in Winter Garden Florida.The business opened on Plant Street in October of 2007 (formally known as Age Advantage).
Jennifer remains active in the business and enjoys personally meeting with families looking for professional, classy caregivers. She prides herself in taking the time to listen and appreciate the personalities and life experiences of people who wish to “age in place”.Her unique ability to match people with their ideal caregiver, combined with a strong sense of service is what makes her business so successful.
Mrs. Talbot is a current member and past president of the Winter Garden Rotary Club, past president of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, active West Orange Chamber member, Recipient of the “Spirit of West Orange” Award 2017, Past Business Networking International Growth Coordinator, Past Committee member and founder of South Lake’s HINT, sustainer member of the West Orange Junior Service League, past board member for AGED, advisory board member for Elder Advocates, a United States Air Force brat, and proud mother of two college graduates.
Rebecca Lanterman
Owner
Rebecca has worked in the Central Florida medical community for over 10 years.She is a native of Winter Garden, Florida andhas a driving passion to serve our seniors.It has been said that Rebecca never meets a stranger.Her experience has been in Hospice, Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Communities where she faithfully served as a community liaison helping residents and families understand the myriad of long term care and healthcare options.
Rebecca is the mom of a little guy who is the twinkle of her eye.She can often be heard telling stories of traveling all around the country pulling her camper.To Rebecca, to live life is to touch it and experience it.Growing up in Central Florida afforded her some unique experiences like being a part of the “Magic” at Walt Disney World where she was a Walt Disney World Spirit Ambassador.She feels that this early indoctrination by The Walt Disney Company helped her understand the true value of serving others.To this day, she still has some of that Pixie Dust.Rebecca has also accomplished countless marathons and triathlons. After the sudden loss of her dad, her training partner, in 2012 she stepped away from the sport.But, as time has passed and healing has taken place, she is back to pursuing their dreams again.This time, her dad, her trusty training partner is keeping pace in her heart.It is from that willingness and drive that Rebecca has a keen understanding of the arduous and often treacherous course that our families are on.And, she is here to come along beside you and be with you each step, each stride, and each hurdle.It’s the old adage “life is a marathon and not a sprint”.She is here along with the team at Winter Garden Senior Home Care to be a part of your journey.
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