If your senior loved one has a lung condition known as COPD, also known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, then they may face challenges living alone in their homes. Because of this, considering an assisted living facility may be an excellent option to help keep your loved one safe and healthy. Here are some assisted living services that may benefit people with COPD.
Professional Therapy Services
People with COPD, especially long-standing COPD, may experience profound weakness and fatigue. Because of this, they may be unable to exercise, which subsequently may lead to muscle weakness and atrophy. The assisted living physical therapists can help the resident with strengthening exercises to help preserve muscle tone, lower the risk for muscle atrophy, and promote more energy. In addition to physical therapy, your loved one with COPD may also benefit from respiratory therapy.
The facility's respiratory therapists can administer breathing treatments to the resident to help loosen up thick lung secretions so that the secretions can be expectorated easily. When the lungs are clear of thick mucus, the person with COPD may breathe easier and their risk of developing a pulmonary bacterial infection may decrease.
Nutritional Intervention Services
In addition to physical and respiratory therapeutic services, the facility can provide nutritional intervention for your loved one with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. People with COPD may develop poor appetites, and because of this, dramatically decrease their caloric intake.
When caloric intake is severely decreased as a result of illness, nutritional deficiencies may occur. Certain nutritional deficiencies such as hypokalemia, otherwise known as low potassium, can cause weakness, muscle cramps, numbness, and in some cases, even cause an abnormal heart rhythm.
The dietary services department, in accordance with the attending physician's orders, can provide your loved one with nutrient-dense and delicious meals to help maintain strength and lower the risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
If your elderly loved one has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and is unable to live alone anymore, call an assisted living facility and speak to an admissions coordinator. They can further explain the beneficial services they offer for those with COPD and other chronic illnesses such as diabetes, stroke-related brain injuries, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. They will also talk to you about the financial aspects of relocating your loved one to an assisted living facility, discuss room availability options, and address any questions and concerns you may have regarding their services.
