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Post Acute Care Facility | Life With COPD

post acute care facilitySome of the patients we care for in our post acute care facility at Santé are dealing with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The primary and most life-altering symptom of COPD is severe shortness of breath, which many patients say interferes with their daily lives. Here, we’ve gathered insight on living life with COPD to help you live to your fullest potential.

Take Your Medications as Prescribed

Many patients tell us that they aren’t taking their medications as prescribed, typically because they forget to take them, they forget to refill them, they feel like they aren’t working, or they don’t like the side effects. But taking your medication is necessary.

You can improve your compliance with your treatment schedule by setting up your pills in advance and using an alarm to establish a routine. Taking your pills at the same time each day as recommended by your doctor can also help you establish a routine and achieve maximum therapeutic levels are achieved. If you have concerns about how your medications work or make you feel, share your concerns with your healthcare provider.

Know Your Limitations

Identify the tasks that are most difficult for you, and work toward accepting a new way of doing them. Perhaps you need to move just a little bit slower or break a task up into a few parts so you can take a break and catch your breath. You may need to ask a friend or family member to take care of some tasks for you, such as lawn care or scrubbing the floors. When you find acceptance for the things you can or cannot do, you free yourself up for more enjoyable, feasible tasks.

Avoid Tight Clothing

Tight clothing makes it more difficult to move and even more difficult to breathe. Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing that easy to get on and off, easy to move around in, and easy to breathe in.

Set Up Your Space

Keep the items you use most often near the place you sit most often to avoid getting up and down more times than necessary. For example, many patients keep their book, crossword puzzle, remote, water pitcher, lip balm, snacks, and phone within reach to simplify their day.

Living with COPD can be easier if you follow these tips and those provided by your doctor. If you find the need for a COPD-related post acute care facility, contact us at Santé for more information.

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