How Ascend Helps Families Cope With COPD

January 2, 2025

Caring for a loved one with COPD can be challenging and knowing when to align help can be challenging as well. Even more difficult is learning when to consider hospice for COPD. It is a progressive condition, and it’s important to ensure a loved one gets the right level of care and comfort. Ultimately the focus shifts from curative treatment to comfort and quality of life. Here are signs to watch for that may help in-home caregivers know when to consider hospice for COPD:

 

1. Frequent Hospitalizations or Emergency Room Visits

• If a loved one has had repeated hospital stays due to COPD flare-ups, especially within the past six months, this could indicate that their condition is progressing despite treatment.

                       

2. Increased Shortness of Breath

• When a loved one is struggling with severe breathlessness even at rest, or if daily activities like walking to the bathroom or eating become extremely difficult due to shortness of breath, this could indicate that it’s time to consider hospice for COPD.

                       

3. Dependency on Oxygen

• If a loved one requires more frequent or constant oxygen therapy to maintain adequate oxygen levels, this could suggest worsening lung function. A persistent need for oxygen 24/7 is a significant sign of decline.

                       

4. Weight Loss and Muscle Wasting

• Significant unintentional weight loss, muscle wasting, and general weakness are common in advanced COPD. This often results from the body working harder to breathe and loss of appetite.

                       

5. Frequent Infections

• Recurrent respiratory infections, such as pneumonia or bronchitis, can indicate that the lungs are less able to fight off infections and recover fully, which could signal that the disease is progressing.

                       

6. Difficulty Swallowing or Eating

• In advanced COPD, a loved one may struggle to eat due to shortness of breath, leading to malnutrition. Difficulty swallowing, coughing when eating, or choking are also concerning signs.

                       

7. Severe Fatigue and Lack of Energy

• Exhaustion and the need to rest after minimal activity or even while sitting or lying down is a strong indicator that a loved one’s body is nearing its limits.

                       

8. Chronic Pain or Anxiety

• Those coping with end-stage COPD may experience chronic pain due to strained muscles from labored breathing, or anxiety and panic from struggling to breathe. Ascend can help manage these symptoms.

                       

9. Increased Medication Needs

• If a loved one’s need for medication (especially rescue inhalers, nebulizers, or corticosteroids) has increased without significant improvement in symptoms, this is a sign that the illness is advancing.

                       

10. Decline in Mental Awareness or Cognitive Function

• Decreased oxygen levels can affect brain function, leading to confusion, forgetfulness, or difficulty concentrating.

                       

11. Loss of Independence

• Needing help with basic activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, or toileting, is a sign that their condition is deteriorating, and they may benefit from hospice care.

                       

12. Doctor’s Recommendation

• If a loved one’s physician has discussed a limited life expectancy or suggested that medical interventions are no longer effective in improving quality of life, it may be time to consider hospice.

 

In-home caregivers should communicate these signs with the loved one’s healthcare team to assess if hospice care is appropriate. The goal of hospice care is to provide comfort, manage symptoms, and offer emotional and spiritual support for both your loved one and the family during this stage of illness.

 

How can Ascend help in-home caregivers care for a loved one with COPD?

 

Ascend provides a valuable support system for in-home caregivers who are caring for a loved one with late-stage COPD. Our services are designed to enhance the quality of life and offer both practical and emotional support. Here’s how Ascend helps caregivers care for their loved ones with COPD:

 

Symptom Management and Medical Care

 

• Pain and symptom relief: Our teams are experts at managing the symptoms of COPD, which can include breathlessness, coughing, anxiety, and fatigue. They provide medications, oxygen therapy, and other treatments to help ease discomfort.

• 24/7 medical support: Our teams provide around-the-clock access to nurses and medical staff, so caregivers don’t have to manage sudden crises or escalating symptoms alone. This includes home visits or phone support for urgent concerns.

• Palliative care focus: The goal is comfort, not curative treatment. Seasoned professionals adjust medications to control symptoms without causing unnecessary side effects.

 

Caregiver Training and Education

 

• Proper care techniques: Our staff will teach you how to manage your loved one’s symptoms, like positioning to help with breathing or how to administer medications and oxygen.

• Emergency planning: Caregivers are taught how to recognize signs of distress or complications, such as worsening shortness of breath or anxiety, and how to respond appropriately.

 

Emotional and Psychological Support

 

• Counseling services: Ascend offers emotional support for both your loved one and the family. Coping with COPD’s progression can be stressful, and having professional counseling can help in-home caregivers cope with the emotional toll.

• Respite care: Ascend can arrange temporary relief for caregivers, to enable you to take a break while the our team temporarily steps in to care for your loved one.

 

Practical Assistance

 

• In-home nursing visits: Nurses or aides may visit to assist with tasks like bathing, grooming, or administering medications, easing the physical burden on caregivers.

• Medical equipment and supplies: Ascend provides necessary equipment, such as oxygen machines, hospital beds, and medications, making it easier to care for your loved one at home.

                       

End-of-Life Planning and Bereavement Support

 

• Guidance on what to expect: Ascend prepares caregivers for the physical and emotional changes that come as COPD progresses and provides support through the most difficult moments.

• Bereavement care: Ascend offers grief counseling and support services when a loved one completes their final journey.

 

Ascend enables caregivers to focus more on spending quality time with a loved one rather than being completely consumed by being a caregiver. In-home caregivers can return to their familial role, while Ascend ensures the loved one remains comfortable and supported.

 

Need to know more about COPD?

What aggravates COPD? 

Caring for a loved one with COPD?

Coping With Dementia: 10 steps to gain more cooperation with simple tasks

August 28, 2025
How can we increase the level of cooperation we get from a loved one coping with dementia? A loved one with dementia may resist simple routines that we, as caregivers, need for them to complete so they can maintain proper hygiene or enable us to run a household. It may be a simple task, like taking a shower or getting dressed - or brushing their teeth before they go to bed. A good way to start is to recognize that we are about to face a challenge . Like any challenge we face, it’s best to get ready before we begin. Be prepared! Gather everything that will be needed to complete the task and arrange those things in the order that they’ll be needed. Be sure to have everything at hand that will be needed when the task is completed. For instance, are we brushing our teeth in the morning? Have the bathing set up as the next task or be ready to dress and go to the dining table. Have patience, remember that this will take longer than normal. Budgeting more time will reduce your own stress, and that is key in reducing theirs. Remember, they are cognitively disabled . It’s frequently not that they’re resisting your instructions, it’s simply that they are having difficulty processing them - it will take them longer to understand and cooperate than normal. One of our biggest goals is to avoid making them feel pressured, rushed or agitated . Maintaining this level of structure will be comforting to your loved one and will decrease confusion and stress. It will also reduce distractions that might be inadvertently introduced by being less than organized. We may be doing something simple, but it’s no longer simple to a loved one suffering from dementia. Have you ever assembled a piece of furniture from IKEA? Keep that in mind – you needed step by step instructions. Did they always make sense as you progressed? Nope. Did you ever get frustrated? You bet. This is the same thing. Give them simple steps, one step at a time . Think from a new perspective. “Let’s go brush our teeth,” doesn’t really lead them to beginning or completion. How about: 1 - let’s go to the bathroom 2 - can you stand in front of the sink? 3 - let’s rinse your toothbrush - we need to make sure it’s clean! 4 - perhaps try doing your own side by side as an example 5 - can you open the toothpaste now? 6 - squeeze a line of toothpaste onto your brush, like this, see? 7 - now, put the toothbrush into your mouth, brush like I’m doing 8 - top now - left side, center, now on the right - inside, like this 9 - bottom now - left side, center, now on the right - inside, like this 10 - now, we’re almost done. Take your brush and rinse it 11 - put the brush back into the holder 12 - put some water in the cup 13 - now just rinse your mouth 14 - spit the water back into the sink Try to let them do as much on their own as possible. It will build confidence and reduce their stress, step in and help as needed. You’ll see for yourself how deeply you need to break down tasks and learn from their responses when to help, praise or comfort. Try not to take over and do steps for them when they may be able to complete the step themselves. If they are able, that may convey impatience. We’re trying to encourage a sense of competency and autonomy - even if a step is not taken perfectly. To learn more about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease follow these links. 1 - https://www.ascendhealth.com/coping-with-alzheimers-anxiety-and-depression 2 - https://www.ascendhealth.com/alzheimers-caregiving-7-signs-its-time-for-extra-support 3 - creating dementia-friendly documents https://bit.ly/3H9g6WD Our teams offer specialized care for those living with end-stage dementia and Alzheimer’s. Our supportive team focuses on improving quality of life and easing the distressing burdens of Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Learn more about how we can help bring comfort and support by reaching out to a member of our compassionate team.

Gene Hackman’s Final Lesson: A Wake-Up Call for Caregivers and Families

June 30, 2025
A few months ago, beloved actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found deceased in their New Mexico home. Investigators believe Arakawa passed away first—possibly up to a week before Hackman. Shortly before her death, she had reached out to a local clinic . Later, Hackman’s pacemaker data helped confirm the timeline of his own passing. The medical examiner determined that Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome , a rare and dangerous respiratory illness transmitted by rodents. Hackman died from advanced heart disease , with Alzheimer’s disease contributing to his decline. Experts suggest that his cognitive impairment likely prevented him from recognizing Arakawa’s death—or, if he did realize it, he may have experienced confusion, heartbreak, and helplessness before ultimately passing away himself. We may consider Gene Hackman’s last role to be his final lesson, a wake-up call for caregivers and families. It’s a profoundly tragic story—one that reflects a reality many families quietly face. As our loved ones age, especially when one becomes the caregiver, a sudden health crisis can leave the other stranded in a dangerous situation. What Can We Learn? This heartbreaking story offers more than grief—it offers perspective. It’s a reminder to be proactive, observant, and involved in the lives of aging loved ones. Here’s ways we can help. 1. Know the Conditions Affecting Your Loved Ones In Hackman’s case, the central health challenges were heart disease and Alzheimer’s. Recognizing the signs of heart trouble—chest pain, fatigue, breathlessness—and understanding how dementia can mask or confuse those symptoms is critical. 2. Caregivers Need Care Too When the caregiver goes down, the one who relies on them is suddenly exposed. Arakawa’s sudden illness likely left Hackman alone, disoriented, and unable to seek help. Caregivers often suffer in silence, pushing past their limits. Regular check-ins and support for them are just as essential. 3. A Simple Visit Can Save a Life A timely visit from a friend or relative might have changed the outcome. Subtle signs—rodent activity, spoiled food, confusion, hygiene issues—could have triggered help before it was too late. Don’t underestimate the power of simply showing up. What to Watch For: A Family Checklist If you have aging parents, relatives, or friends, here are some key areas to keep an eye on: Physical Health • Sudden weight loss or gain • Bruises, burns, or signs of falls • Unkempt appearance or body odor • Difficulty walking or standing Cognitive & Emotional Well-being • Memory loss or repeating questions • Depression, anxiety, or social withdrawal • Unsafe behavior such as leaving appliances on • Unusual mail or phone activity Home Conditions • Spoiled food, pest presence, or clutter • Safety hazards (dim lighting, loose rugs) • Appliances or plumbing not working Nutrition & Kitchen Safety • Expired food or low food supply • Dirty or neglected kitchen tools • Avoiding cooking altogether Medication Compliance • Confused about medications or missed doses • Expired or improperly labeled prescriptions Social Interaction • Isolation or reluctance to leave the house • Loss of interest in hobbies or community involvement Financial Awareness • Unpaid bills or unopened mail • Signs of financial exploitation or scams Tech & Communication • Can they use a phone in an emergency? • Are they responsive to calls or messages? What To Do If You Notice a Problem If you see red flags, don’t panic—but don’t ignore them either. Start with an honest, caring conversation. Explain that your concern comes from love, not judgment. Then, consider next steps: • Schedule a check-up with their doctor • Bring in help, even part-time support • Assess whether the home needs modifications • Explore new living arrangements if necessary Whether it’s weekly dinners, video chats, or simple texts—stay involved–consistent contact keeps you in tune with your loved ones’ needs and builds a safety net they may not even know they need. Final Thought If Gene Hackman’s last role is to serve as a final lesson, it’s a wake-up call for caregivers and families. Gene Hackman’s final days are a sobering reminder: Don’t wait until something goes wrong. Aging can be beautiful—but it also comes with risk, especially in solitude. Let this story motivate you to reconnect, check in, and truly see how your loved ones are doing. Additional Resources: Learn more about Congestive Heart Failure: https://www.ascendhealth.com/caring-for-a-loved-one-with-chf-this-summer https://www.ascendhealth.com/caring-for-a-loved-one-with-chf Learn more about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease: https://www.ascendhealth.com/alzheimers-caregiving-7-signs-its-time-for-extra-support https://www.ascendhealth.com/coping-with-alzheimers-anxiety-and-depression Need a health or safety assessment for a loved one? Contact Us or call today.