How An Assisted Living Facility Can Help When You Have COPD

If you're a senior with COPD and live alone, you might worry about not getting help quickly if you need it. When you have chronic lung disease, you have good days and bad days. You may also have occasional hospitalizations. This leads to the need for some oversight with your care, but you may not be ready to move into a nursing home. If that's the case, then an assisted living center could be the solution. Here's why.

You Maintain Your Independence

On the days you feel good, you may want to go shopping or go to the movies. If you can still safely drive, you're free to do as you wish. If you can't drive, an assisted living center often provides shuttle service so you can get out and be as active as you like as long as you have your doctor's approval.

You Have Help When You Need It

On days you feel bad, you have help for taking your breathing treatments, making your meals, and helping you get to the bathroom. If you're sick in bed, someone is around to check on you and monitor your condition. Some assisted living facilities are part of a nursing home where medical care is close by. You won't have to worry about being alone if you wake up at night with shortness of breath. Someone will help you or call the doctor or ambulance if you need it.

Your Diet Is Monitored

One problem COPD often causes is poor appetite. This leads to malnutrition and weight loss. It's difficult to function with COPD when you're weak and thin due to poor nutrition. An assisted living center provides meals when you need them. Your intake may also be monitored and you may be encouraged to eat more to stay healthy. With some oversight, there is less chance you'll go for days not eating much because of shortness of breath or loss of appetite.

You Have Help With Medications

When you have COPD, you're often on several medications. Medications need to be taken on the prescribed schedule to be effective. Missing a dose could cause you to have increased shortness of breath. It's difficult to take medications properly when you get older, especially when you're not feeling well on many days. At an assisted living center, someone makes sure you take your medicine when needed so you can stay as healthy as possible.

These are all good reasons to consider moving into an assisted living facility when you have COPD. Another good reason is because of the social stimulation you receive. Living alone isn't much fun when you're not feeling well enough to get out. Isolation can cause you to become depressed. At an assisted living facility, Agape Cottage Senior Homes Inc, you're living in a setting with others so you'll make friends and find many group activities to keep you occupied during the day.