Hospice Relieves Symptoms for End-Stage COPD Patients

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an umbrella term for the most common types of non-cancerous respiratory illnesses. Hospice care can help alleviate the symptoms associated with these conditions, including chronic bronchitis, emphysema, chronic asthma, bronchiectasis, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis and end-stage tuberculosis.

Hospice Can Help

If you are a caregiver for someone with lung disease, you may wonder how hospice can help. Choosing help from a hospice provider means your loved one will no longer receive invasive or life-saving treatments. Instead, care will focus on alleviating the symptoms associated with end-stage COPD, such as dyspnea (shortness of breath) and the anxiety it causes. Usually this involves a combination of medication, special equipment and respiratory therapies.

Medical Equipment

Your hospice care provider will arrange for all of the equipment your loved one needs to breathe easier, such as a CPAP unit, an oxygen concentrator, cylinders and nasal canulas. This equipment will not only help your loved one breathe, but will keep his or her blood properly oxygenated.

Hospice at Home

Hospice for COPD patients can be provided wherever your loved one lives, whether it’s in a nursing home, assisted living facility or private home. Some hospice providers offer 24-hour response for respiratory emergencies whenever they occur. You can also work with your hospice provider to develop a pre-emergency plan that is consistent with your loved one’s wishes. The overriding goal is to keep COPD patients comfortable and allow them to live comfortably and die with dignity in the manner they chose.