What You Should Know About COPD Treatments

If you are like many family caregivers, the first thing that came to mind when you heard that your elderly loved one is living with COPD was possible treatment options. Knowing how your parent can approach their illness, treat it effectively, and manage it in the way that is right for them is an important part of making you feel more confident as a family caregiver. This means understanding the COPD treatments that are available and talking to your senior’s doctor about them so that together you can make the decisions that are right for your parent.

Homecare in Shelter Island NY: COPD

Some things you should know about COPD treatments include:

-There are many different treatment options available, and there is no one that is considered best for all people. This is why it is very important to talk to your senior’s doctor about your parent’s health, well-being, and other factors to determine which of the options may be most appropriate for them and their needs.

-Pulmonary rehabilitation can be looked at like physical therapy for the lungs. This type of treatment option combines pulmonary exercise therapy with guidance in areas such as nutrition and a healthy lifestyle to help your parent improve the health of their lungs and maintain this health for longer.

-If your parent is dealing with severely compromised breathing as a result of their COPD, their body might not be getting enough oxygen. This may result in the doctor recommending supplemental oxygen. If this is the case for your senior, it is very important that they understand not just how to use the oxygen properly, but also the safety requirements of this therapy.
Oxygen use can be very dangerous if not managed effectively, and as a family caregiver, you can help to support your parent and making the most of this type of treatment while minimizing the risk.

-If your parent is not comfortable with the medications prescribed to them, the treatment options offered, or the therapies they are using, Empower them to do what is right for their own needs. This might include going to a different doctor for a second opinion or confronting their current doctor about their reactions to the current medications and treatments and discussing the possibility of making changes. Remind your loved one and that this is their health and they deserve to be heard, recognized and respected at all stages.

Seniors who are living with serious health issues often need more support in all aspects of their life.
As a family caregiver, you may feel as though you need to provide all of the support on your own. this can seem daunting, and it is not the way things have to be. You can rely on elderly care to help you give your parent everything they need to live their highest quality of life as they age in place. An elderly home care services provider acts as a supplement to the care you give your parent, to make sure they always have the care they need to take care of their health challenges and limitations, personal needs, and more.

If you or an aging loved one is considering hiring Homecare in Shelter Island NY, call the caring staff at Artful Home Care today at 631-685-5001.

Source:

Lung.org