Family members providing COPD care for a senior know that outside air pollution can make symptoms worse. However, did you realize that lower air quality inside the senior’s home can also magnify COPD symptoms? Cleaning the air inside the senior’s home can help older adults with COPD – and everyone else in the home – breathe easier.
Compassionate Care Home Health Services, provider of home health services in Traverse City, MI, and the surrounding areas, recommends these further COPD care tips:
- Ban Indoor Smoking. Do not ever smoke or allow others to smoke in the home of a senior with COPD. If the home contains a fireplace or wood stove, realize that it may also be a source of irritation for the person with COPD.
- Avoid Chemical Exposure. Chemicals in the home, like cleaning products and paint, can bring on COPD complications, so limit the use of them, and be sure to keep lids on cleaning products when not in use. It’s also a good idea to take a look at more healthy cleaning solutions, such as vinegar and baking soda.
- Minimize Dust. Wash bed linens each week, eliminate clutter, and ensure pets stay off furniture to reduce the amount of dust and dander.
- Purify the Air in the Home. Use an air filtration device with a HEPA air filter. Even though air pollution is not as much a problem in rural areas as it is in the city, a senior with COPD can still benefit from filtered air to eliminate irritants and toxins.
- Keep Floors Clean. Ensuring that floors are swept and clean minimizes buildup of allergens. Keep in mind that hardwood floors are easier to keep in an allergen-free state than carpeting and rugs.
- Use a Humidifier. Dry air can make COPD symptoms worse, as can air that is too moist. Aim for a level of about 40% humidity within the home for someone with COPD.
COPD patients can breathe easier with the support of Compassionate Care. We can provide:
- Helpful informative information about COPD care and management
- Exercise guidelines to improve symptoms
- Nutrition and dietary suggestions
- Skills to better manage symptoms
- And a wide variety of home care services
Our specially trained and experienced Traverse City home care experts will first provide an in-home evaluation to create a plan of care to address your loved one’s concerns. Compassionate Care Home Health Services is readily available to help with customized home health services in Traverse City, MI, and the surrounding communities. Call us at your convenience at 877-308-1212 to discover more about the many ways our professional home care can help.