Hospital to Home Care

Whether you were diagnosed with COPD at the hospital or an infectious lung disease like the flu worsened your COPD symptoms, it is important to learn about COPD and ways to manage and prevent future flare ups.

The COPD Basics Booklet, or expanded Learning to Live with COPD Workbook, both are free to download and can help you learn about your disease and take steps to stay healthy.  Lung Health Navigators provide free help over the phone or video call and can help you understand your COPD medications, how to stay active and eat healthy, and ways to keep your airways clear of mucus.

Depending on the severity of your exacerbation, recovery may last a few days to several weeks. You may have lingering symptoms like a heavier cough or more mucus. These symptoms should be monitored, and you should contact your healthcare provider if they get worse or do not improve. During this time, you will need to drink plenty of water and get extra rest.  

Your healthcare provider may recommend you take time off work to recover or limit your other obligations while you regain your strength. When doing daily activities like dressing or bathing, you may need to pace yourself and take a break between activities. This is a time where you will want to conserve your energy, use breathing exercises, and ask your friends, family, and caregivers to help. 

Each type of COPD medication works differently. While in the hospital, you may have been given new daily or maintenance COPD medications  that work differently than your old medications.  Be sure to ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider to explain when you take them, how to take them and how they help you breathe better. 

It is important to take your COPD medication and use supplemental oxygen as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Part of your discharge plan may also include medication to  to manage other health conditions. Do not stop taking medications just because you feel better without first talking with your healthcare provider.

As part of your discharge plan, you may be recommended to attend pulmonary rehabilitation, see a nutritionist or dietitian or quit smoking.  Keep those appointments and follow through with those recommendations.

Schedule a follow-up appointment with your health care provider. At your appointment, share any new health conditions, discuss your new and old COPD medications, use of supplemental oxygen (if prescribed) and any changes needed to your COPD Action and Management Plan.

During your recovery, you may experience worsening symptoms. Early detection and treatment of these symptoms is important. Sometimes it is not always easy to tell if your symptoms are getting worse. At home, if you are following the steps of your discharge plan and having trouble controlling your symptoms, it is a sign you need to speak with your healthcare provider right away. Also, if your plan is confusing, talk to your health provider and together, you can come up with a simple plan to stay on track.

Other signs and symptoms to watch for include a returning fever, tiredness, shortness of breath or cough, changes in your mucus color, thickness or amount, swelling in the legs, or chest pain. Do not delay contacting your healthcare provider or seeking immediate medical attention if you experience these new or worsening symptoms.

Along with your COPD, you may have one or more chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure or a type of heart disease, asthma or another lung disease, and anxiety and/or depression. Having multiple medical conditions can make it harder to control your COPD and may increase your risk of a COPD exacerbation and/or hospitalization. It is important to work with your healthcare provider to manage and treat all your health conditions.