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Conditions

COPD care at home

Help at home that saves breath for the things that matter: the heavy jobs done, washing and dressing paced, and flare-ups spotted early.

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What COPD is

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Symptoms usually get worse over time, with periods when they suddenly get worse, known as a flare-up (NHS).

Treatment includes stopping smoking, inhalers and tablets, and pulmonary rehabilitation, a programme of exercise and education. Some people use oxygen at home (NHS: COPD treatment).

What a carer does

  • The heavy jobs: shopping, laundry, changing beds and the stairs
  • Washing and dressing, paced and seated, so the morning isn't exhausting
  • Reminders to take inhalers and medication as prescribed
  • Meals and drinks
  • Getting to appointments and pulmonary rehabilitation
  • Company on breathless days, which can be frightening
  • Noticing changes and following the self-management plan

Flare-ups and the self-management plan

Spot a flare-up early

A flare-up is when symptoms suddenly get worse: more breathless, more coughing and phlegm, or more wheezing than usual. It is common to have a few a year, particularly in winter (NHS: COPD symptoms). Ask the GP or respiratory team for a written plan for flare-ups, keep it where every carer can read it, and follow it when things change. Some people are given antibiotics to keep at home and start as soon as symptoms of an infection begin. If someone has severe difficulty breathing, call 999.

Oxygen at home

If oxygen is used at home, the supplier and the respiratory team give safety advice. Keep that advice in the care notes folder so every carer follows it.

Care and clinical care

Carers give personal and practical care. Clinical tasks, such as injections, wound care or changing a catheter, come from the NHS team unless a carer has been trained for that specific task and it has been agreed with the team. Tell us about all care needs up front so we only introduce carers who can help safely.

Which care fits

Hourly visits for the morning routine and the heavy jobs suit many people. Overnight care helps when nights are the hard part, and live-in care suits someone who needs help through the day.

Help paying for care

Rates and rules checked against GOV.UK and the NHS in October 2026. Benefit rates usually change each April.

  1. Tell us about them

    The diagnosis, how they are now, routines, and what matters to them.

  2. See matched profiles

    Profiles say what experience each carer has, so you can choose with care.

  3. Speak first

    Talk to carers by phone or video call before you agree to anything.

  4. Care starts

    You and your carer agree the routine, and change it as needs change.

How carers are checked

Before LCH Care introduces a carer, we check their identity, right to work in the UK, Enhanced DBS, two references, work history, and relevant training or qualifications. Carers also hold their own public liability insurance. You then speak to the carer by phone or video call before you agree to anything.

Other conditions

Questions

Can a carer help during a flare-up?

A carer can follow the written self-management plan and contact the GP or respiratory team as it says. If someone has severe difficulty breathing, call 999.

Can carers help with oxygen?

A carer can help the person use their oxygen as the supplier and respiratory team have shown, and follow their safety advice.

What is pulmonary rehabilitation?

A programme of exercise and education for people with lung conditions such as COPD. A carer can help the person get there.