A customized  COPD plan of care can prevent flare ups, emergency room visits and hospitalization. Our home health team uses a multisectoral  perspective of nursing care and therapy to maintain a high quality of life and manage your disease.

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Our nurses will monitor your symptoms, coach you and your family on signs and symptoms of worsening COPD and when to notify the physician.  We will teach you and your family the common triggers of COPD and how to manage them to reduce flare ups and hospitalizations.  

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Medication compliance with COPD is extremely important.  Your nurses will instruct you on your medications including on how to use inhalers, as well as the  schedule and the importance of adhering to medication regimen in managing  COPD.   Our staff will educate you on breathing techniques to help you get the air you need without straining to breathe.  Nutrition and diet play a vital  role in managing your COPD.  Understanding the role of diet and fluid intake and their effect on lung function and breathing is critical.   Skilled nursing will instruct you on how to avoid loss of weight or malnutrition that can occur with the disease.  Likewise our nurses  will educate you on the effects of being overweight on your breathing status and  will also instruct you and your family the proper  use of oxygen and its oxygen therapy precautions. 

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Physical therapy (PT) will help COPD patients achieve optimal level of function and activity by reducing amount of breathlessness (dyspnea) and prevent the need for hospitalization.PT will implement an exercise routine designed to strengthen your pulmonary system, building muscle strength and endurance. PT will further assist  you in being able to perform more activity without having shortness of breath.  This is achieved through breathing techniques, such as pursed lip breathing, how to pace self during activities and other energy conservation techniques.

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Symptom of COPD don’t appear till lung damage has occurred and they usually worsen over time.  Signs and symptoms of COPD include:

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• Shortness of breath during physical activities

• Chest tightness

• Having to clear your throat first thing in the morning due to excess mucus in your lungs

• Chronic cough that produces sputum that may be clear, white, yellow or greenish

• Cyanosis (blueness) of the lips or fingernails

• Frequent respiratory infections

• Lack of energy

• Unintended weight loss

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There is no cure for COPD.  The primary goals in managing COPD are preventing exacerbation , manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life for those who have it. 

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