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A Diagnosis of COPD
Nearly 16 million adults in the United States are affected by Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) based on estimates from the CDC. This long-term lung condition worsens over time, resulting in difficulty breathing freely and comfortably. COPD affects men and women alike, many of whom are unaware that they have the disease. Quitting smoking, proper diet and appropriate exercise can help manage the disease.
Whether you suffer from chronic bronchitis, emphysema or another form of COPD, AuthoraCare can help you or your loved one by providing care and strategies to improve quality of life as you move through the stages of the disease.
Richard
Living with COPD
There is no cure for COPD, but medication, lifestyle choices and symptom management can help those with the disease maintain normal activities. Plus, there are many resources to educate you on your breathing condition, for example LivewithCOPD. However, when it comes to navigating the care path for the day-to-day, you can turn to AuthoraCare.
When Living Gets Harder Questionnaire
Are you having a COPD flare-up?
Tracking symptoms is a good way to recognize changes or flare-ups. Are you or someone you love experiencing the following symptoms on a regular basis?
If you answered yes to three of the four questions, you may want to contact us to help you navigate the future for you or your loved one.
You answered yes to three of the four questions. Contact us to help you navigate the future for your loved one.
The goal of advanced illness care is to help patients and their families achieve a better quality of life by assisting with advanced care planning, establishing goals of care and helping COPD patients cope with symptoms management. As care needs increase, patients or their caregivers may choose to receive advanced illness care while undergoing treatment for COPD. This can optimize outcomes for both the patient and their caregivers.
Hospice care helps patients coping with end-stage COPD by alleviating the pain and discomfort caused by restricted breathing. COPD patients who are admitted to AuthoraCare’s hospice program will receive expert in-home medical care to help them live with dignity and provide comfort and support as the disease progresses. Click here to learn more about the benefits of hospice care.
End-stage COPD is characterized by severe, irreversible damage to the lungs and airways. Patients have difficulty breathing even at rest and struggle with basic activities of dailty life. They may rely on supplemental oxygen 24/7 to breathe. Often, end-stage COPD patients will suffer from heart problems caused by lack of oxygen.
The following are signs that you or your loved one with COPD would be eligible for hospice care:
Severe shortness of breath (dyspnea) during everyday tasks, or even when at rest.
Reduced effectiveness of medications that previously provided relief.
Increased visits to the emergency department or hospitalizations for breathing complications, lung infections or respiratory failure.
Accelerated resting heart rate (tachycardia) of more than 100 beats per minute.
Right-sided heart failure.
Loss of appetite, often due to shortness of breath.
Rapid and ongoing weight loss.
Crackling sound during breath intake.
Barrel chest.
Constant wheezing.
Outgoing breaths that last very long.
96.1%
felt they received the right amount of emotional support
“Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro exceeded expectations. My mother received the care she deserved and we wanted for her. The level of caring made the journey less painful for my mother and all those who loved her. Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro was a blessing.”
— AuthoraCare patient
Do you think you or your loved one living with COPD could benefit from an AuthoraCare consultation?
