If you’re a family caregiver for a loved one with COPD, then you know how outside air pollution can exacerbate COPD symptoms. But did you know that compromised air quality in the home can also worsen COPD effects? Maintaining clean air in the home can help seniors with COPD – and everybody else in the home – breathe better.
Happier Home Care’s expert care professionals suggest these added COPD care strategies:
- Prevent Exposure to Chemicals. Chemicals in the home, like cleaning products and paint, can induce COPD symptoms, so limit the use of them, and make sure to keep lids on cleaning products when not in use. It’s also a good idea to consider healthier cleaning options, such as baking soda and vinegar.
- Ban Indoor Smoking. Never smoke or permit others to smoke in the home of somebody with COPD. If the home contains a wood stove or fireplace, understand that it can also be an irritant for the person with COPD.
- Purify the Air in the Residence. Utilize an air filtration device that contains a HEPA filter. Though air pollution is not as much a problem in non-urban areas as it is in the city, a person with COPD can still benefit from filtered air to remove toxins and irritants.
- Decrease Dust. Wash bedding every week, remove clutter, and ensure that pets stay off furniture to minimize the amount of dust and dander.
- Use a Humidifier. Dry air may make COPD problems worse, as does air that is too moist. Aim for a level of approximately 40% humidity within the home for someone with COPD.
- Keep Floors Clean. Ensuring floors are swept and clean minimizes buildup of allergens. Bear in mind that hardwood floors are easier to keep in an allergen-free condition than carpeting and rugs.
Support from Happier Home Care’s professional caregivers helps COPD patients breathe easier. We offer:
- Exercise recommendations to ease symptoms
- Beneficial educational resources concerning COPD care and management
- Skills to better manage symptoms
- Nutrition and dietary suggestions
- And a wide range of home care services
The trained and experienced home care experts at Happier Home Care will first provide an in-home consultation to put together a plan of care to address your loved one’s care needs. Contact us any time online or at 818-651-6679 to find out more about the many ways our home care in Pasadena and the nearby areas can help.