Being diagnosed with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) can be a scary and overwhelming experience for patients and their caregivers. Often, a diagnosis can feel very isolating, and the patient might feel very alone when receiving the news.
We’re here to reassure you that you’re not alone. An estimated 1.6 million Canadians are currently living with COPD and there are approximately another million that have yet to be diagnosed.
At the Lung Health Foundation, one of our goals is to educate and create national awareness around COPD and provide support for those newly diagnosed or living with a diagnosis – so that patients can continue to live full and healthy lives. In fact, one of our five goals for the next five years is to reduce COPD hospitalizations by 10%.
So much of long-term patient care begins with the patient themselves. If you have COPD – or are helping a loved one with COPD – there are a number of resources available for you to protect and improve your quality of life.
Our programs and services are listed below – and are provided for free to patients, caregivers and health care providers across Canada.
• The COPD section of our website will tell you everything you need to know about COPD including symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatments and more. For more info, click here.
• Our Living with COPD Handbook will provide you with lots of great information about the types of COPD and the risks, while also providing you with ways to manage your COPD. View the handbook here.
• We have a number of online resources available to support you beyond your initial COPD diagnosis. Our Fitness for Breath is a virtual exercise maintenance program for people living with chronic lung conditions. You can find out more or register for the Fitness for Breath program here.
We also have a series of videos on our YouTube website including Strength Training for COPD and our COPD Case Webinar Series. This series follows a patient diagnosed with COPD from the early stages to the end-stage of the disease.
• One-on-one support is also available through our Lung Health Line. This is a free, confidential service offered between 8:30 am – 4:30 pm ET Monday to Friday. To speak with a Certified Respiratory Educator (a healthcare professional with special training in COPD) call 1-888-344-LUNG (5864), email us at info@lunghealth.ca or use the chat feature on our website. After hours, you can leave a message and we will return your call. Our educators will give you advice that will help you breathe your best!
• Want to learn more about the latest innovative approaches to lung health and the latest respiratory guidelines from leading medical experts? Join us for our Respiratory Health Forum on Tuesday, October 25th. To be notified when registration opens, please click here.
Lung health begins now – and starts with you!
Help to support Canadians living with COPD through our programs and services. Click here to make a donation to the Lung Health Foundation.