8 Ways to Help Someone With COPD

Doctor William C Lloyd Healthgrades Medical Reviewer
Medically Reviewed By William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS
Written By Cindy Kuzma on June 6, 2021

When your family member or friend is diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it’s easy to feel helpless. But though the condition tends to worsen with time, there’s much you can do to make life easier. These tips will help you provide meaningful assistance when it’s needed most.

  • cigarette-stubs-in-ashtray
    1. Help Them Kick the Habit
    The most important thing people with COPD can do for their health is quit smoking. Support them in their efforts. Be patient and positive, forgive them when they slip, and celebrate their successes, big and small. And definitely don’t smoke in front of them .
     
  • young female caregiver with senior patient
    2. Go for a Walk
    Physical activity may be difficult for people with lung disease. But in many cases, it can help strengthen their breathing muscles and improve their overall health. With their doctor’s approval, you can assist them in starting and sticking with a gentle exercise program.
     
  • man-coughing-into-napkin
    3. Steer Clear When You’re Sick
    Colds and the flu might be inconvenient for you. For someone with COPD, these illnesses can cause serious problems, including additional lung damage. When you’re under the weather, keep some distance between you and your loved one. Encourage him or her to get a flu shot.
     
  • senior couple walking over bridge
    4. Be Patient
    People with COPD may have to move a little more slowly to avoid losing their breath. Don’t rush them through everyday tasks. Offer to help, but give them space to maintain their independence. Be understanding when they must modify their routine—for instance, taking the elevator instead of the stairs.
     
  • group of colorful open paint cans with brush
    5. Clear the Air
    Avoid using products that produce fumes—such as paint, insect spray, and strong cleaning products—in their presence. If their home is being painted or sprayed for bugs, offering them a place to stay in the meantime could be helpful. Keep windows and doors closed when they’re in your home.
     
  • cooking-pan-on-stovetop
    6. Help Arrange Their Home
    Cooking, cleaning, and other daily chores are much easier when everything they need is within easy reach. Go through your friend or loved one’s home and help him or her place often-used objects on one floor and within an arm’s length. Using tongs with long handles can extend a person’s reach. Look for other inexpensive assistive devices that can greatly simplify everyday tasks.
     
  • Woman on phone
    7. Lift Their Spirits
    Coping with COPD can provoke feelings of anxiety, fear, stress and depression. Ask your loved one how he or she is feeling, and listen carefully to the response. In fact, active listening may be one of the most compassionate gestures you can offer a person in distress. Offer emotional encouragement and assistance in locating a support group or a mental health professional, if needed.
     
  • dizzy woman
    8. Watch for Warning Signs
    Severe symptoms require emergency medical care. These include trouble speaking, blue or gray lips or fingernails, a fast heartbeat, and mental confusion. If you see these signs in someone with COPD—or if your loved one is having trouble getting his or her breathing under control by using recommended treatments—call for medical help right away.
     
8 Ways to Help Someone With COPD
  1. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). FamilyDoctor.org. http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease.ht...
  2. Social Support. American Lung Association. http://www.lung.org/lung-disease/copd/living-with-copd/get-social-support.html?print=t
  3. COPD Lifestyle Changes. American Lung Association. http://www.lung.org/lung-disease/copd/living-with-copd/life-change.html?print=t
  4. What Is COPD? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/copd
  5. Now that you know it's COPD, here's how to breathe better. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/copd/campaign-materials/html/copd-patient.htm
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Last Review Date: 2021 Jun 6
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