It can be difficult to live with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), particularly for seniors. COPD restricts lung airflow, making breathing more difficult. Seniors who experience breathing difficulties frequently expend more energy, which leaves them worn out and exhausted.
However, seniors with home care assistance can better manage their COPD and enhance their quality of life by implementing a few easy energy-saving measures.
Set Priorities for Daily Activities
Seniors with COPD should give top priority to their most important daily tasks. They can save their energy for the things that really matter by organizing ahead of time and taking it slow. Another way to lessen fatigue is to divide tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. For instance, seniors can clean one room at a time, taking breaks as needed, rather than cleaning the entire house at once.
Of course, having home care assistance by their side gives them help when needed to accomplish many of these tasks.
Make Use of Assistive Devices
Using assistive devices can help you save a lot of energy when performing daily tasks. For example, a cane or a wheeled walker can minimize walking effort by offering stability and support. Similarly, utilizing shower chairs and adding grab bars to bathrooms can lessen the strain of performing personal hygiene tasks. Also, seniors can use lightweight, ergonomic tools to reduce their energy expenditure while cooking and cleaning.
Practice Appropriate Breathing Techniques
Learning and using proper breathing techniques can help seniors with COPD breathe more effectively and save energy. Breathing exercises like diaphragmatic breathing and pursed lips can increase oxygen intake. Seniors who want to learn how to apply these techniques to their daily lives can work with respiratory therapists or enroll in pulmonary rehabilitation programs.
Optimize the Home Environment
One of the biggest ways to save energy is to make the home COPD-friendly. Easy fixes that improve comfort and ease of breathing include clearing clutter from the living area, moving furniture to create more space, and upgrading indoor air quality.
To reduce exposure to respiratory irritants and maintain ideal humidity levels, seniors should also consider purchasing air purifiers and humidifiers. Seniors with home care assistance and a loved one’s support can easily complete these things and more.
Remain Active While Respecting Boundaries
Seniors with COPD should take caution and refrain from overexerting themselves, even though physical activity is crucial for maintaining general health. Walking, tai chi, or gentle yoga are low-impact exercises that can enhance respiratory health, strength, and flexibility without requiring much energy.
Seniors who want to create individualized exercise regimens that fit their needs and limitations should speak with their healthcare providers.
Seniors with COPD face particular challenges, but they can preserve their quality of life and save energy using appropriate techniques. With home care assistance by their side, they can better manage their respiratory symptoms and have a higher quality of life by setting priorities, making use of assistive devices, breathing correctly, and more.
Amelia Home Care provides traditional Home Care Assistance in Bronx, NY, along with virtual caregiving and remote patient monitoring. Our service area includes Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, and Westchester County. Call today at (929) 333-3955
Sources:
- https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=abp2734
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/energy-conservation-techniques-914948
- https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/living-with-copd/daily-activities
We proudly provide non-medical home care services to individuals with disabilities, injuries, difficulties with mobility, or illnesses. Our team is composed of highly trained and competent staff members who are dedicated and experts in delivering home care services in the comfort of our client’s home.
Through our personalized care plan, we can give you the needed care services that are all intended to cater to your unique personal and health needs. With us, we ensure around-the-clock services and supervision to help you achieve optimum health and wellness.
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