Information for people caring for someone with COPD

Having COPD can mean that you have to make adjustments to your life. You may have to change or limit your hobbies and other activities. You may also have to rely on other people to help you out in your everyday life.

If you are close to or caring for someone with COPD, you will find it helpful to inform yourself about the disease. The more you understand about COPD, its management and treatment, the more you will be able to help the person you are looking after. You will have a better understanding of their needs, and are also less likely to become impatient.

If you have not already done so, read the sections What is COPD and Managing COPD.

Things carers are asked to do

People with COPD get breathless very easily, and they may rely on other people to do things for them. The things they will ask you to do will depend on their level of disability. Some of the things you may be asked to help them do include:

• Getting in and out of bed
• Getting up and down stairs
• Household chores such as shopping, cooking and cleaning
• Personal grooming, washing or dressing
• You may also need to be familiar with the medication needs of the person you are caring for
  

If you are living in the same house as someone with COPD, there is a lot you can do to help:

• Make sure you include them in things you do. People with COPD may get out of breath easily, but they can join in with a lot of everyday activities and outings
• Be sensitive about their need for extra time to catch their breath
• Encourage them to keep a positive attitude, and continue making time for the things they enjoy

Things to look out for

There are things you should look out for if you are caring for someone with COPD.

Learn how to recognise an exacerbation.

COPD is a disease that gets worse over time, usually gradually, but sometimes the disease gets suddenly worse, and this is known as an exacerbation.

Exacerbations can be life-threatening, and immediate medical assistance is necessary. People with COPD can become extremely confused when they are having an exacerbation, and this is a sign that the levels of carbon dioxide in the blood are dangerously high. For this reason, if you believe the person you are caring for is having an exacerbation, you should stay with them until they receive medical assistance.

When COPD is under control, the symptoms will be more or less the same from day to day. However, during an exacerbation, the symptoms will worsen, and these changes are often extremely rapid.

You may notice:

• Increased breathlessness
• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Confusion
• Increased cough, and more mucus when you cough
• A change in the colour of your mucus
• Fever
• Excessive sleepiness
• Blue lips or fingernails
  

Sometimes (but not always) people are unable to move around or exercise as much as they would like in the few days before an exacerbation. They will probably feel generally unwell and very tired.

After an exacerbation

Exacerbations have a major impact on the health of someone with COPD. The sufferer may be extremely ill during an exacerbation, will certainly feel worse for some time afterwards, and will need extra care and attention to restore themselves to good health. This is particularly true if the person has been hospitalised.

Doctors may recommend different treatments following an exacerbation, or an extended period of rest. Exacerbations often advance the disease from mild to moderate or from moderate to severe. You may need to familiarise yourself with new treatments or management approaches after an exacerbation.

Remember it is better to prevent an exacerbation than to treat one.

Encourage them to stay positive

It is relatively common for people with long-term illness to suffer from low spirits, particularly if they have become immobile and dependent on other people for their care.

As a carer, you can be observant about their mood. If the person you are caring for has had a low mood for more than two weeks, encourage them to see a doctor. Sometimes, people suffering from depression will not know they have a problem.

Click here to go to advice on staying positive.

Make sure you make every effort to reduce indoor pollution. Many homes have things in them that can irritate the lungs. You can do a lot to purify the air in your own home, and make it a safer place to be:

• Make sure people don’t smoke in your home
• Maintain the correct temperature and relative humidity
• Animal hair can be extremely irritating the lungs. If you have a pet, make sure you vacuum the house regularly to remove the build up of hair or dander. Never allow animals in bedrooms
• Make sure that bathrooms and kitchens are properly ventilated to prevent condensation causing mildew or mould The spores that are released by mildew or mould are often extremely irritating to people with COPD
• Beware of unusual smells as you enter your house; these can indicate the presence of dangerous substances
• Clean the house regularly, taking special care to clean carpets and padded furniture
• Rinse floors and all surfaces after cleaning and open the windows
• Cleaning materials, glues and solvents often include chemicals that irritate the lungs. Try to avoid using products that contain these chemicals in non-ventilated areas. It is best to avoid using aerosols altogether
• Keep the rooms well aired when doing maintenance work, decorating and painting