ARTICLES / General /
Managing Lung Disease /
Other ArticlesBy
Cheryl Ellis, RPFT, CRT, Staff Writer
ADJUSTING TO CHANGES
Family members and loved ones can have a
difficult time with COPD diagnosis, treatment and
day-to-day activities. Meals and medication
schedules may have to be changed to assist the loved
one with maintaining their health. Where meds and
meals could be delayed or possibly skipped until a
“convenient” time, a stricter schedule may have to
be adhered to, delaying family activities.
Friends may not understand a progressive
intolerance to certain odors from cleaning
solutions, pets or colognes. The COPD patient may
have adapted to exposure to some environments, but
once diagnosed and advised on making changes, it may
be less tolerable.
Mrs. Valorie Bender has been diagnosed with COPD,
specifically emphysema, for fifteen years. She and
her husband Michael had a number of adaptations to
make during the first few years after her
diagnosis.“Michael is a lot taller than me. If he
sprayed air freshener or any kind of spray, I knew
to stay out of the room until he was done.” Any
spray releasing aerosol will have droplets that can
be breathed in. Mrs. Bender learned to stay away
from the area until the droplets had settled to
avoid the mist penetrating her lungs.
She goes on to explain that adapting to COPD
comes over time, and requires some creative
thinking. With over a foot difference in height
between the Benders, they are able to spot smokers
to steer both of them away from second-hand
smoke.“You have to be careful of people’s feelings”
she indicates. Smokers, with or without a cigarette,
carry the odor on their breath or clothing. The
second- hand smoke can irritate lungs and trigger
the need to use an inhaler. Preceding that would be
a “coughing fit.”
Smokers may be used to strangers “commenting” on
smoking by faking an intense cough. Mrs. Bender has
chosen the middle path of dealing with this by
avoiding the situation as much as possible. Family
members may forget from time to time, or a new
individual may be brought into their circle,
requiring fancy footwork in being direct but kind.
As her husband and caregiver, Michael Bender’s
biggest adjustment was identifying what actions
might be needed.“Michael had to learn not to panic
when I went into a coughing attack.”
CAREGIVERS LEARN TO SAY “WHEN”
Loved ones with COPD may dig their heels in when
it comes to adapting. Caregivers may feel obliged to
push the situation. To eliminate stress on both
parties, a middle ground is a better path.
When Valorie Bender’s “coughing fits” started,
Michael learned to stay as calm as possible and just
observe Valorie’s actions. If her handheld inhaler
was needed, he could help by getting it for her, or
help her to a chair to sit down until the coughing
spasm passed. As they began to accept their roles in
coping with COPD, caregiver and care receiver panic
diminished. Michael learned the general “flow” of
her coughing spasm, and that not all episodes are an
emergency. Valorie, as the COPD patient, has adapted
to letting herself get through the cough experience
at her own rate, rather than push herself to “hurry
up and get better so as not to panic Michael.”
The Benders have developed a lifestyle that may
have limitations they didn’t have before Mrs.
Bender’s diagnosis. Their changed lifestyle takes
their mutual mental, emotional and physical
well-being into the spotlight. Developing coping
skills and creative management of activities has
improved their relationship and mutual health.
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