COVID-19 Information - Click Here
Skip to Content
Homewatch CareGivers
LocationsIcon of Map Pin
  • Caregiver Jobs
  • Franchise Opportunities
  • Care Community Blog
  • Contact Us
close
  • Back
  • Home
  • About Home Care
    • Back
    • What is Home Care
    • Types of Care
    • Financing Options
    • Cost
    About Home Care Homewatch CareGivers® believes good care should not interfere with your quality of life. We deliver the compassionate care our clients need to help complete day-to-day activities while still maintaining a healthy dose of independence.
  • Types of Care
    • Back
    • Elder Care
    • 24-Hour Care
    • Child Care
    • Respite Care
    • Senior Transportation Services
    • Companion Care
    • Hospital Discharge
    • Chronic Conditions Care
    • Dementia Care
    • Nursing Services
    • After Surgery Care
    • Personal Care
    Types of Care Our clients have many different reasons for requiring care, so we strive to provide services tailored to their individual needs and circumstances. Homewatch CareGivers delivers various types of in-home care that focus on the whole person—not just their condition.
  • Resources
    • Back
    • ALS
    • Arthritis
    • Dementia
    • Developmental Disabilities
    • Diabetes
    • Heart Disease
    • Parkinson's Disease
    • Senior Safety
    • Stroke
    • For Health Care Providers
    • Ask The Experts
  • Our Story
    • Back
    • Team Bios
    • Facts & History
    • National Quality Forum
    • In the Media
    • Home Care Association of America
    Our Story Homewatch CareGivers was founded on the concept of person-directed care: focusing on the specific needs of the individual and treating each client as a whole person, not just a condition. We strive to provide in-home care services that allow people to continue living safely and happily in their own homes.
  • Why Choose Us?
    • Back
    • Our Caregivers
    • Questions to Ask
    • Homewatch CareGivers University
    • Client Testimonials
    • In-Home Senior Safety
    Why Choose Us? Let our family care for yours. At Homewatch CareGivers, we value not only highly qualified caregiving services but also human interactions and relationships. Our people make the difference.
LocationsIcon of Map Pin

COPD: What You Need to Know

COPD: What You Need to Know Oct 25, 2016
Blog Categories
  • COVID-19
  • A Business with a cause
  • Addressing Isolation & Loneliness
  • Age at home
  • Age in place
  • Aging at Home
  • Aging Parent
  • aging parents
  • animal therapy
  • Anxiety Support
  • Best Home Care
  • Care for Aging Parents
  • Care for My Aging Parent
  • Caregiver
  • Caregiver Assistance
  • Caregiver Stress
  • caregiving assistance
  • caring star
  • caring star award
  • caring.com
  • caring.com award
  • Coping and Caregiving
  • Coronavirus
  • Cost of Care
  • Dementia
  • dementia care
  • Elderly Parent Care
  • Employee Spotlight
  • Essential Caregiver Skills
  • Events
  • Falls Prevention
  • Family Caregiver
  • Financial Resources
  • Franchise
  • Franchising
  • handling caregiver stress
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Holiday Celebration
  • Home Care
  • Home Watch Caregivers
  • Homewatch CareGivers
  • how to manage caregiver stress
  • In-Home Safety
  • Job Fair
  • Local
  • Long Term Care
  • Long Term Care Options
  • National Public Health Week
  • New Office in New Haven
  • older parents
  • parents aging
  • Parkinson’s Symptoms
  • Passion of Caregiving
  • Pet Therapy
  • Planning Ahead
  • Provider Choice Award
  • Senior Care & Aging
  • Senior Exercise
  • service dog
  • Social Distancing
  • stress
  • therapy dog
  • top rated home care agency
  • wandering

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is on the rise worldwide. The COPD Foundation estimates that 15 million adults in the United States are living with COPD and another 15 million have it but have not been diagnosed yet. Put another way, 6.3% of the U.S. population has COPD.

November is National COPD Awareness Month and in the spirit of raising awareness to help those at risk or people helping a loved one with the disease, we’re sharing the latest data on COPD with you here.

What It Is

COPD is not a single illness, but a term that covers several progressive lung diseases, including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and non-reversible asthma. The defining characteristic of COPD is increased breathlessness. Coughing and increasing breathlessness are not a normal part of aging, but many people ignore early symptoms of COPD thinking it’s typical.

If you think you might be at risk due to a history of smoking, a working environment that exposed you to fumes, chemicals and dust, or are genetically predisposed, be aware of the signs and symptoms of COPD:

  • increased breathlessness
  • tightness in the chest
  • frequent coughing
  • wheezing

A diagnosis of COPD can be a relief to some and lead to anxiety and depression to others. Talk to your health care provider to learn as much as you can about support, rehabilitation, and more.

Living with COPD

COPD can severely impact the ability to live an independent life. A caregiver—professional or just a dependable family member—can be there to look out for worsening symptoms and to help avoid a hospital stay or readmission.

For individuals and their caregivers who are affected by COPD, this disease can reduce independence.

The COPD Foundation offers a checklist for caregivers or family members to know when to call the doctor. If the person shows signs of the following signs that COPD is exacerbated, a doctor should be consulted:

  • Increased difficulty breathing during normal activities
  • Increased coughing or a great deal of chest pain when coughing
  • Increased mucus production
  • Swollen hands or feet
  • Muscle cramps
  • Fatigue or weakness
  • Bloody mucus or mucus that is green or yellow
  • Shortness of breath that wakes the patient in the night


As COPD is the third leading cause of death in the U.S., everyone is encouraged to learn more about preventing this illness and managing the symptoms for those living with it.

Posted By Homewatch CareGivers
  • Share
Blog Home - Previous Post | Next Post
More Posts Like This
  • Is Caregiving for You?
    Mar 22, 2021

    Is Caregiving for You?

    There might be some jobs out there better suited to a specific age in life, but caregiving can—and is—done by people from all ages and stages of life.

    Read More
  • The Benefits of Togetherness
    Mar 22, 2021

    The Benefits of Togetherness

    It might be time to start thinking about being together again. Well-being is not just about exercise and nutrition, but also relationships and emotional sturdiness.

    Read More
  • Caregiver Burnout and Other Risks
    Mar 22, 2021

    Caregiver Burnout and Other Risks

    Too much caregiving without support can lead to burnout and other ailments for a family caregiver. Learn how to avoid injury, stress, and maintain well-being.

    Read More
Homewatch CareGivers Caregiving Services
Find Your Location Homewatch CareGivers is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Help & Info
  • About Homecare
  • Types of Care
  • Financing Options & Programs
  • Our Resources
  • Owner Login
Our Company
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Caregiver Jobs
  • Blog
  • Franchise Opportunities
Other
  • National Homepage Homewatch CareGivers University Login Privacy Policy Site Map
  • Accessibility Notice
  • HIPAA Disclaimer
  • Do Not Sell My Information - California Residents
Follow Us On

Part of the Authority Brands Family

Authority Brands is the leading provider of in-home services, building brands that support the success of franchisees as well as better the lives of the homeowners we serve and the people we employ.
/
Copyright © 2021 | Homewatch CareGivers® is a trademark owned by Homewatch International, Inc.™ and licensed for use to independently-owned franchised businesses that offer caregiver services to the public. All personal services, elderly care, caregiving and home care services offered OR provided under the Homewatch CareGivers™ mark are offered and provided only by independently-owned franchises and, where required, licensed OR registered businesses and care agencies. Scorpion Franchise Internet Marketing
x

⚠

Your browser is out of date. To get the full experience of this website, please update to most recent version.

Update My Browser