Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is often caused by years of cigarette smoking. Symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath, fatigue, ankle swelling, frequent lung infections, wheezing, coughing, and exercise intolerance. Although many COPD patients can live independently in their own homes, others who have severe symptoms may need to relocate to an assisted living facility. Here are some care interventions that the assisted living staff can offer you if you have COPD.

Nebulizer Treatments And Oxygen Therapy

The assisted living physician may recommend certain respiratory treatments to help loosen thick mucus in your lungs. These treatments may include using a nebulizer to inhale steam and medications to help facilitate breathing.

If you require oxygen therapy to help you breathe, the nurse will administer your oxygen through a nasal cannula prong device or through a facial mask. Nebulizer treatments and oxygen therapy not only help you breathe better, but they may also help reduce the anxiety that you may experience if you should become short of breath. In addition, if you ever have trouble breathing, simply press the call light button and a certified nursing assistant or a nurse will assist you. 

Personal Care Assistance

If you are severely symptomatic, you may be unable to get dressed in the morning, ambulate without getting short of breath, or take a bath or shower. The assisted living staff will help you with your activities of daily living so that you do not become too fatigued or fall because you are too weak to walk unassisted.

Assistance from the staff will allow you to preserve your energy, and by doing so, you may feel more motivated to participate in more social activities in your assisted living community. If you are too short of breath to cut up your food or feed yourself, the staff will help you. When you have help from the staff with eating, you may be more likely to enjoy your food more, and because of this, your appetite may improve so that you can take in more nutrients.

If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and feel as though you no longer can live alone in your home, contact an assisted living facility representative. They will answer your questions about room availability, various payment options, dietary options, and facility social events. Once you have gathered enough information, you may feel more confident about making an assisted living community your new home.