AboutMargot RN BScN CGN Expertise I nursed my own Mother and Grandmother at home when they were dying so I have personal experience with the emotions involved. I have also spent the last 15+ years as a Registered Nurse caring for The Elderly and Terminally Ill and it has brought me great satisfaction. I am willing to answer any questions I can.
Experience
Past/Present clients Hundreds of Long Term Care Residents as well as hundreds of Cleitns and families in the community (including my Mother and Grandmother).
Question My mother had to be put on life support due to her COPD. It was prayers and the grace of God she pulled through and is at home. I am the only living child, my brother died 3 years ago. I need advice on taking care of her. I want to know how much longer she will have to live? She sleeps all day, and just sits in her recliner. She does not drink much and her appetite is not good. She does have nurses that come in and check on her 3 days a week. I just need to know what to expect. My dad is in bad health also and he can not take care of her. My mother is very determine not to use her walker, she is very weak and has fallen. I think she does not want any one to know she is as sick as she is.I have also found her not on her oxygen which she is on 24/7.She has emphysema. I do not want to sound like a demanding daughter and for her to think I am trying to be her boss. If her oxygen goes down again will she be able to be put on life support again? She has a living will and she does not want to be left on life support. I just do not want her to go through all that again. I know my dad will try to save her life, until they have to take her off the support again, I am so sure she will not survive another one of the spells.Please help me, I need to know how long can one live with severe COPD. I also know there are stages of COPD. I have no ideal about these stages.
Thank you,
Donna
Answer Hi Donna and thanks for writing,
This is very general and may not be the course your Mom follows, but I can tell you how an average COPD patient may proceed.
Basically the COPD deprives the body of oxygen and the patient becomes short of breath, tires easily and will rest more and more as they grow weaker. Occasionally Blood Transfusions will provide temporary relief if the Haemoglobin falls too low, this can also cause Angina (chest pains).
Eventually the patient will be so weak they don't want to move around too much and may stay in bed or sit in an easy chair most of the day; just washing and dressing will be exhausting. They often lose their appetite due to decreased energy so it's a vicious circle: low oxygen causes low energy & weakness which decreases appetite, and decreased appetite leads to weakness.
Treatment is generally "Comfort Measures" like oxygen to ease shortness of breath, maybe some medications to ease the heart's workload, and some puffers to open the airways, but it's not typically aggressive treatment as COPD is progressive and irreversible.
In the end the patient is often weak and bedridden and simply slips away quietly after a slow peaceful decline. The patient will feel weak and will be short of breath after exerting themselves, but do not "gasp for breath". Low
oxygen levels can cause confusion though and occasionally the confused
patient can become agitated. The most common symptom of COPD is
Anxiety related to feeling of not being able to catch your breath – doctors
often prescribe anti-anxiety medications such as Ativan for their COPD patients, but use these only as required as these medications are sedating and can increase weakness and increase the risk for falls in the elderly.
The most important thing you want to do is to talk to your Mom and make sure you know what she wants and respect her wishes - you'll also want to talk to your Dad and any other close family to make sure everyone's aware of the plans so no one is surprised or holds grudges in the future, this can tear families apart.
I hope this has helped to answer your questions and I wish you both all my best; please write again if I can be of any more assistance.
