Tips for making life easier with COPD

 Bathing, Grooming and Dressing  As simple as it may seem to most people, bathing and grooming for the COPDer requires a great deal of energy consumption and oxygen use. With some simple tips and help aids, this job can become much more manageable   Bathing and Showering    If showering or bathing takes your breath away, no matter what you do, consider a bath stool. They are waterproof, lightweight, fit in tub or shower, easily removable and can serve a variety of purposes. You can find many kinds to fit your needs in a variety of places. Hardware and department stores carry them, as well as medical supply stores, and the cost may be less. It is recommended that you get one with an adjustable height, so you can set it to suit your needs. They come with and without backs, as well as with and without arms. Search around for what will work best for you and your circumstances.    This chair can also be used for other grooming activities, such as giving yourself a pedicure, trimming your nails, shaving your legs or just to dry your legs after a bath or shower.    Consider purchasing a long-hosed, hand-held showerhead. That way you can take the water to where you need it rather then moving around to get to the water.   If you use oxygen, please use it while bathing! You use a lot of oxygen to bathe, as already mentioned. Drape your tubing over the shower door or over the shower rod to help keep it out of the way.    Have a nice oversized terry robe to slip into when you get out of the tub or shower. It eliminates the effort of drying off completely and will allow you to catch your breath before going further.    Use long-handled sponges, brushes, scrubbers, puffs, whatever you prefer while bathing or showering to help eliminate all the extra bending and stretching.    Excess humidity that occurs while bathing or showering affects the breathing of many with lung disease. If at all possible, leave the bathroom door open. Use your bathroom exhaust fan at all times and, if possible, crack a window as well.    Consider warm, not hot, baths or showers. The extreme heat can cause difficulty breathing, as well as very drying to our already compromised skin structure caused by some of our medications.    Some people find that washing their hair is easier done at the kitchen sink.    On days you feel exceptionally poor, a sink or basin bath can be taken in place of a full tub or shower and can be a lot less taxing.    If you feel you are somewhat unsteady, consider having grab bars attached in your bath or shower for extra safety and protection. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to install.    If getting on and off the commode is difficult for you, consider installing a grab bar or purchase a raised toilet seat. They also can be found in many places and come with arms as well as without. They are easy to install and easy to remove for ease of cleaning and visitors.     Grooming     Standing bent over the bathroom sink to apply make up, manage hair or shaving is hard for some. It may be helpful to have a low mirror, where you can sit down to perform these tasks.    Have all grooming items easily accessible and within reach.    Avoid those items with strong scents. Perfumes, aftershave, colognes, soaps can all cause irritation to already compromised breathing.    Have a short self-care hairstyle. Elaborate hairstyles require tiresome setting, long use of blow dryers and maintenance. Find a nice hairstyle that is easy and simple to manage for you.    Remember that the use of all kinds of aerosols and sprays, except those prescribed for us by our doctors, is not recommended. We already have damaged lungs, so why add to that damage by inhaling potentially damaging propellants. Most of the items we use are readily available in pump, gel or roll-on formulas. Look for those that are unscented as well.     Dressing    Think about your day the night before and lay out all the clothes you will need before hand. Have them all within easy reach while dressing.    Try sitting to dress if it makes you short of breath. Try dressing the lower part of your body first then just stand up once to pull all garments up. Then continue on to top half.    Use a long-handled reacher or sock aid if bending over causes extreme breathing difficulties.    You can place your underwear inside you slacks or pants, and put both on together.   Avoid tight, constricting and binding clothing. They all restrict chest and abdominal expansion and makes it more difficult to breathe. Avoid socks and stockings that have elastic bands that may restrict circulation. Not included is support hose that may be prescribed by your physician for edema or other medical reasons.    Men may find that suspenders are more comfortable then binding belts. Some opt for looser-fitting pants with an elastic band or sweat-pant style clothing.    Women may find that their bras have become more and more uncomfortable and restricting as well. Consider wearing a camisole as a comfortable and pretty alternative. For those more endowed, there is a wide variety of lightweight sports bras available. They are supportive, yet more comfortable.    Clothing and undergarments made of cotton are much more comfortable and cooler to wear then their synthetic counterparts. They also help to keep perspiration away from the body. As many of us are bothered by extreme heat, this can be a great help to us. Many stores and nationwide mail-order companies provide a wide range of clothing to fit our needs.    For those that tend to run more on the chilly side, great strides have been made in the last few years with lightweight, attractive "long johns" for both men and woman. These can be easily worn under loose-fitting clothing.    In general, unless a formal or semi-formal occasion requires it, go for comfort and ease of dressing when choosing your clothing.     Avoid tight-necked clothing as much as possible. Many of us now find that feeling almost strangling. Opt for open-buttoned shirts, scoop or v-neck or other similar non-restricting styles.    Shoes can be a problem for some. Bending over to put them on and or to lace them up. Consider a slip-on shoe. Use a long-handled shoehorn. If you want or need to wear tie-type shoes, consider using elastic laces.   Cleaning house with COPD made easier Vacuuming Take a deep breath before you start the machine, start breathing out with pursed lips and at the same time start the machine and push forward. Correlate pushing and pulling movements with your breathing pattern. When vacuuming: Move slowly and rhythmically with the vacuum. Inhale as you push the vacuum head away from you, exhale as you pull it towards you. Maintain good posture. Take frequent breaks. To minimize dust particles in the air, use a damp newspaper to empty the vacuum cleaner bag or carpet sweeper.  Dusting Dusting may cause difficulty as the dust itself may be an irritant. Some dusting may be done while sitting. Do not use spray wax as it also be an irritant. Instead, use a cream or paste wax for polishing furniture. To dust high surfaces, use a long-handled duster or cleaning attachment to avoid reaching and climbing. To dust low surfaces, sit down and use a handled duster or cleaning attachment to avoid bending. Avoid a clutter of furniture and bric-a-brac so you can clean and dust without moving furniture and items  leaning the floors When using a broom or mop, stand tall to avoid bending at the waist. Use a long-handled dust pan to pick up sweepings. Use floor coverings that require little upkeep (not wax).   Scrubbing the floor - Use a long-handled sponge mop. Inhale as you push the mop away from you; exhale as you pull it towards you. Kneeling and scrubbing is hard work: if you have to do it, use breathing control. In the kneeling position breathe in, start breathing out with pursed lips, and at the same time bend down and scrub the floor. Always make a point to raise yourself to kneeling position and breathe in. Pursed-lip breathing should always be done with heavier tasks such as bending and scrubbing. Select the best part of the day for a heavy task such as this, as it takes most of your energy.   Wiping spills and picking up Use a small mop for wiping up spills to save bending. Use pick-up tongs to pick up articles from the floor. Use paper towel to eliminate extra laundry. Hope this helps make cleaning a little easyer!    LAUNDRY DAYS MADE EASIER Carry dirty or folded clothes in a bundle buggy, rolling laundry cart or laundry basket. If your laundry area is downstairs, throw the clothes downstairs instead of carrying them. Raise front-load washers and dryers on blocks to avoid bending. Use the perma-press setting on your dryer to avoid ironing. Schedule laundry days during the week to avoid build-up. Keep a chair in the laundry area to avoid making frequent trips up and down stairs if your laundry facilities are in the basement. Always fold clothes while sitting, preferably directly from the dryer. Sort clothes on a table (never on the floor) and use a rolling laundry cart. If you hang clothes to dry, use a wheeled utility cart. Raise it to your height to eliminate frequent bending. Sit to iron, adjusting the height of the board to a comfortable level. Keep a rack next to the ironing board for hanging freshly ironed clothes. Slide the iron; do not lift it or set it on end. Place it on an asbestos pad while adjusting clothes on the ironing board. Don't iron what doesn't need to be ironed! Instead of ironing, fold sheets, towels and underwear.    Making the bed Breakdown of this activity into small components is very important. Handle one component at a time. For example, breathe in, start blowing out air with pursed lips and, at the same time, move your arms to straighten out the bed-clothes. Inhale again and start breathing out as you bend to tuck ends and corners etc. Do not rush. Rushing will only cause shortness of breath. When straightening or changing bed sheets, make one side of the bed at a time. Sit down to change pillow cases and take a rest. Unfold linen, and line up centre fold of the sheet with the centre of the bed. When changing bed linen, put bottom sheet, top sheet, blanket and spread on first, and then tuck in the bottom sheet at both ends. Continue making the bed on that side as usual. When shaking out bed linen, inhale as you raise your arms, and exhale as you bring the linen onto the bed. When smoothing bed clothes, inhale as you extend and exhale as you pull towards your body. Avoid bending. Instead, stoop, squat or sit on a chair. A comforter can allow you to eliminate numerous top sheets and blankets. Casters on the bed allow it to be moved more easily.     Preparing food: Plan menus in advance. Use menus that require short preparation time and little effort (for example, frozen foods, convenience foods, ready mixes). Gather together and move all necessary items to the work area on a wheeled utility cart. Sit at a table or counter of correct height to mix ingredients, chop and slice vegetables, etc. Slide or use a wheeled utility cart to move items (slide pots, don't lift them).    Setting the table and serving: Collect all dishes and silverware needed for the meal and move them on a wheeled utility cart. Consider eating meals in the kitchen or breakfast room. Avoid using serving dishes. Serve directly from the baking dish. Transport prepared food to the table by wheeled utility cart.    Other kitchen hints Use a cutting board that fits over the sink. Use a hose to add water to pots and pans. Avoid items that require constant stirring or attention. Use lightweight dishes. Consider lightweight and double-handled pots and pans.   After-meal clean-up Rest for a while before starting to clean up. Have each family member carry his or her own dishes and rinse and pile them by the sink. Collect all remaining items on a wheeled utility cart and move them to the sink area. Plan a dish-washing centre for efficiency. If space allows, leave out a dish drainer.  Washing dishes by hand Sit on a high stool at the sink when washing dishes. Air-dry dishes. When putting away dishes, remove them from drainer to a wheeled utility cart, then take one trip around the kitchen to put them away.   Washing dishes using a dishwasher Rinse dishes at the sink close to dishwasher and organize them into groups (plates, glasses, silverware, bowls, etc.) Load the dishwasher by filling the bottom rack first. Unload dishes onto a wheeled utility cart, then take one trip around the kitchen to put them away.   Shopping Shop on weekdays or in the evenings when the stores are typically less crowded. Do your shopping over several short trips rather than one long trek. If you use an inhaler or puffer, make sure it's always on hand. If you use oxygen, be sure you have enough. Lighten your load. Only carry the absolute essentials in your purse and/or pockets. Don't shop wearing a heavy winter coat or lots of layers. If possible, shop with a friend or neighbour who can help carry parcels around the mall, to the car, and into your home. Ask for help in reaching items that are beyond your grasp or too heavy to lift on your own. Use catalogues and shop by phone or online so you can have your purchases delivered right to your door! Plan menus to avoid unnecessary trips to the market. Jot down items as you need them or as supplies get low. Plan your market list in keeping with the layout of the store. Use a shopping cart and place heavy items near the handle for better leverage. Transport groceries in the trunk of the car, not in the back seat. Use a bundle buggy to bring food home from store. If carrying groceries, load the bags half full. Know your limits. As soon as you begin to feel tired or short of breath, take the time to sit down and rest, or just stop shopping and go home.   Shopping Centres and COPD Shop in enclosed shopping centres, not streetfront stores or strip-malls. Going back and forth from one temperature extreme to another (cool air conditioned stores to a hot humid sidewalk, for example) can be hard on your breathing. Plan your route - start at one end of the mall and work your way to the stores without any backtracking or extra walking. Buy heavy items last. Whether you're holiday shopping or getting groceries, ask a sales associate to carry your purchase to your car, or arrange for home delivery. You may be eligible for a handicapped parking permit. To find out, check with your province's Ministry of Transportation. You'll likely need to have your doctor certify your health condition and sign your permit application. Otherwise, take advantage of the valet parking services offered by some shopping centres, so you don't have to trek across a parking lot with your parcels. Larger shopping centres offer scooter and/or wheelchair rentals. Use them, especially when walking is difficult.   Putting groceries away If possible, have a family member do this for you. Make several trips with rest periods between to carry groceries into the house. If necessary, carry one bag at a time. Sit on a stool and sort according to storage locations. Transport items on a wheeled utility cart to their storage place. Sort groceries at work height, not on the floor.   Helpful shopping hints Shop at markets where they unload your carts and deliver groceries to your car. Take advantage of advertised specials so you can buy as much as you can store. Keep a detailed list so someone else could shop for you. Don't wear yourself out, and don't try to do as much as you could before COPD. To keep holidays simple, consider giving gift certificates, or give everyone on your list the same gift. For example, make this the year you give all your grandchildren CDs or magazine subscriptions. Use seasonal or themed gift bags to wrap gifts- they're just as attractive as wrapping paper, and a lot less effort. Or take advantage of gift wrapping services offered by some malls and stores.     I am posting this for my self as much as for anyone who wishes to check it out, so when I have a question how to make my daily life easier with COPD l know to come here.  If you come to read this, I hope you find something that will make your life a little less dificult.   I know when I was in Pulmonary Rehab and they had classes about the above, I did not know all these helpful tips. Hope this helps someone.    Holly