COPD Management Program

What is COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disease characterized by breathing issues from swelling and emphysema in the airways and can be persistent and progressive. COPD affects 5 percent of the U.S. population and is the third leading cause of death.

COPD requires education, support and self-management to maintain your lung health and quality of life.
We encourage you to learn how to manage your COPD with the support of COPD Management Education offered by Lee Health, which is based on the guidelines by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. 

Asthma/COPD Educators will help empower individuals with COPD and their caregivers.
These appointments are available one-on-one via telehealth and in-person, or in group settings.

COPD Management: Learning to Live with COPD

The goal is to work with the person with COPD to strengthen their respiratory muscles, decrease shortness of breath, improve daily activities and overall quality of life, while reducing hospitalizations and emergency room visits. 

Understanding Your COPD Plan

The person with COPD will receive extensive education and a self-management plan by registered respiratory therapists (RRT), all of whom are Certified Asthma and Pulmonary Disease Educators.
The individual with COPD will receive a COPD Action Plan and may be enrolled in MyChart Care Companion which will offer daily communication tools for:

• Medication reminders
• Symptom reporting
• Relief medication use
• Education
• Smoking cessation monitoring (if needed)

Asthma/COPD Educators will work with you to improve your breathing with personalized plans in:

• Pursed lip breathing
• Diaphragmatic breathing
• Conservation exercises
• Ambulation plans

The Asthma/COPD Educators will collaborate with you and teach self-management skills in:

• Anatomy and physiology of the lungs and sinuses
• Controller and relief medications
• Inhaler and spacer use
• Nebulizer
• Triggers and irritants
• Oxygen
• Smoking cessation
• Airway clearance

COPD Symptoms may include:

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty walking or other activity due to shortness of breath
• Chest tightness or pain
• Difficulty breathing or ability to take deep breaths
• Feeling over-tired

Lee Health COPD Management Education: What you need to know

While COPD symptoms or exacerbations can vary from person to person, it is important to understand your COPD signs and symptoms to help you manage your condition. 

We will show you how to:

• Recognize COPD symptoms
• Use a spacer to enhance medication delivery
• Improve the strength of your breathing muscles with exercises and an inspiratory trainer
• Improve daily activities with less shortness of breath
• Identify and reduce irritants
• Manage symptoms daily
• Manage symptoms in an emergency

Family and caregivers are encouraged to attend COPD Management Education appointments to make sure they are familiar with the disease and able to recognize signs and symptoms.

Through this program, you will:

• Receive help getting medications, which often are expensive
• Learn how to use inhalers, medical equipment and special breathing techniques
• Gain knowledge of the disease, necessary equipment and recognition of symptoms
• Receive help scheduling doctor appointments

For more information about COPD Management Education, call 239-343-0765.