Questions & Answers for Caregivers

Caregivers are an important part of improving the quality of life for an individual with COPD, but caregivers need care too! There is a lot of literature and resources available for caregivers that offer tips and information to help their loved one… and themselves!… improve. The following is a list of questions and answers that can help give caregivers ideas on some things they can do. For more information on any of these resources, you can call the Caregiver’s Information Line (a sub-program of the C.O.P.D. Information Line) to request that a Caregiver Associate call you: 1-866-316-COPD (2673). (To read about the Caregiver’s Information Line, click here.)

How do you find time to do it all?

It is very stressful for one Caregiver to do it all. If you do not have friends or family who can help, there are organizations you can contact who will help you with a variety of Caregiving. The C.O.P.D. Information Line (1-866-316-COPD) can help you find resources.

Where can I find out what services are available in my community?

Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116 can direct you to the Area Agency on Aging that serves the area your loved one lives in. The Area Agencies on Aging can provide information on resources that serve persons aged 60 years or over. In California, Caregiver Resource Center can help you. Family Caregiver Alliance can also help you locate services in your community. Call 1-800-445-8106 or email: .

Some other organizations that offer various services for caregivers include:

How can I get more help from other family members and friends?

Sometimes you may need a little help from someone else. Have a family meeting to discuss what needs to be done and you divide up the responsibilities according to individual preferences, capacity, and availability. You can also have a list of chores ready when friends offer to help. If people are willing to help, take it. This will help alleviate any stress you may have, and you can focus on other things that are on your list.

Why is caregiving so hard?

It is difficult to see someone you are caring for struggle with their health. And caregiving can create a change in family dynamics. There can be great sadness, feelings of isolation and feelings of stress due to lack of leisure and personal time. But it is important that you take the initiative to improve the quality of life for both your loved one and yourself. By feeling better, you can help your loved one feel better.

How can I encourage my loved one to do pulmonary rehabilitation?

Pulmonary rehabilitation is very important to improve the health of an individual with COPD, therefore it’s very important that they regularly go to rehab. To encourage them, have them call the C.O.P.D. Information Line at 1-866-316-COPD and talk directly to other COPD patients who have experienced first-hand that pulmonary rehabilitation has improved their quality of life. You can also show them the resources and information available on this website about the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation.

How can I tell if caregiving is putting too much stress on me?

Common signs of caregiver stress include the following: feeling sad or moody, crying more often than you used to, having low energy level, feeling like you don’t have any time to yourself, having trouble sleeping, or not wanting to get out of bed in the morning, having trouble eating, or eating too much, seeing friends or relatives less often than you used to, losing interest in your hobbies or the things you used to do with friends or family, and feeling angry at the person you are caring for, at other people, or situations.

What should I do if I’m feeling overwhelmed or stressed?

You can easily begin to feel overwhelmed when you’re caring for someone else. Talk to your family doctor and/or clergy about your feelings. It’s also good to try to take time to do something for yourself. Stay in touch with your friends and family members, and ask them for help in giving care. Look for a Well Spouse support group nearby: 1-800-838-0879. These groups give support to wives, husbands and partners of the chronically ill/and or disabled. And of course, you can call the Caregiver’s Information Line to talk to someone who has experience in being a caregiver: 1-866-316-COPD (2673).

What should I do to prepare for a doctor’s visit?

Have a current list of medications with dosage information including over-the-counter drugs and vitamins or minerals the person you’re caring for is taking. Also, keep a daily diary of symptoms and how the patient responds to treatments and medications, and bring these with you when you visit the doctor. Keep your loved one’s medical history as detailed as possible. Make a list of any questions you may have, and don’t forget to have your insurance and Medicare cards with you.

When should I call the doctor?

Call the doctor when the patient shows signs of:

  • Increased difficulty breathing during normal activities,
  • Increased coughing or a great deal of chest pain when coughing,
  • Increased mucus production,
  • Swollen hands or feet,
  • Muscle cramps,
  • Fatigue or weakness,
  • Bloody mucus or mucus that is green or yellow, and/or
  • Shortness of breath that wakes the patient in the night.

These symptoms can be signs of an exacerbation. Follow the doctor’s recommendations of what to do in the moment of an exacerbation, including calling your doctor or emergency medical assistance.

What can I do if I cannot afford the medications?

Medications for individuals with COPD can sometimes be expensive. But there are organizations that have patient assistance programs that help patients get medications for free or minimal charge. Visit the Partnership for Prescription Asssistance (PPA):, or call them at 1-888-477-2669.

Some drug companies will give their medications free or at a minimal charge, so check with the manufacturer of your prescriptions to see if they have any assistance programs you may be eligible for.

Will Medicare pay for an oximeter?

Yes. You need two documents from your physician: a prescription for an oximeter, and a Certificate of Assistance. Give these documents to your oximeter supplier or distributor, and follow the directions specified by Medicare.

What is respite care?

Respire care is care provided by a substitute provider. This can be for a few hours to a few days. The purpose of respite care is to give time off to the regular caregiver. An example of respite care is an adult day care. Adult day care provides respite for caregivers as well as a welcome change of scene for seniors. Adult day care programs follow either a social model or medical model. Social programs may focus on providing companionship or on hobbies or other special interests, while medical programs may focus on providing therapies such as dialysis, ventilation, and rehabilitation. Adult day services are community-based group programs designed to meet the needs of functionally and/or cognitively impaired adults through an individual plan of care.

How can I keep track of the medicine schedule?

Make yourself a chart with medication name, dosage amount, time of day to be taken, and a place to check off after the medicine has been taken.

Is there a number I can call to speak with someone who knows what I’m going through?

Being a caregiver for someone with COPD is a very tough job, and sometimes you may feel like you want to talk to someone who understands what you’re going through. For those moments, or if you just have questions about the resources mentioned in this website, you can call the Caregiver’s Information Line (a sub-program of the C.O.P.D. Information Line) to request a Caregiver Associate call you. Call toll-free: 1-866-316-COPD (2673). The Caregiver’s Line is open Monday through Friday, 9AM to 9PM, Eastern Time.

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The questions above were compiled by some of the Caregiver’s Information Line volunteers from various resources but also derived from their own experience. The questions and answers provided in this section are for informative purposes only. Please consult with a medical professional for any medical questions.