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How Skilled Nursing Facilities Help Patients Cope With COPD

January 15, 2021 0 Comment Category: Care Center

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD is one of the leading causes of death in the US. It is reported that over 13 million adults in the country are living with the condition, whereas almost 24 million Americans report some kind of lung problem that could be linked to COPD. Unfortunately, there is no cure for COPD, which makes it an even more serious disease. However, there are some ways, which can help patients cope with the condition effectively.

Below are some of the approaches taken by skilled nursing homes to help COPD patients manage their condition and ease the symptoms related to it.

Regular Exercising

COPD can make patients feel out of breath, so it may sound contrasting that exercise can help to manage the disease. However, studies have found that low-impact exercises and aerobic workouts are quite beneficial for people with COPD. Following a regular physical workout schedule can help to strengthen the heart, improve muscle tone, and boost circulation to reduce the severity of COPD symptoms.

Healthy Diet

Maintaining a healthy diet is integral to coping with COPD successfully. This is especially in the case of seniors, who do not feel motivated to eat. Nutritional therapy can help to maintain a healthy body weight, which in turn will ease the stress on the cardiovascular system while providing a sufficient amount of nutrients to fight the symptoms of COPD. Apart from that, a healthy and balanced diet also ensures that seniors do not experience any malnutrition problems, which could complicate the situation.

Socializing

Feeling of isolation can worsen COPD while leading to other mental health problems as well like depression and anxiety. Seniors often have the inclination to withdraw from society when they have an ailment, but this could be dangerous for those who live alone or are away from their family. That is why skilled nursing homes provide all the opportunities to their residents to interact with others and socialize. This can elevate the mood of patients and improve their mental outlook on the situation, which will make it easier to cope with COPD.

Breathing Deeply

Deep breathing is one of the simplest ways to improve heart and lung functions, but it can be a challenge for people with COPD. Caregivers at skilled nursing homes help patients to learn different breathing techniques, such as pursed lips breathing and diaphragmatic breathing. This helps to take in more air while using less energy to breathe, which in turn makes it easier to manage the symptoms of COPD. Contact Foothill Heights Care Center to learn more about how we can support residents with COPD.