13. How would you respond to her statement?
Reassure her that her experiences and feelings are typical of those
expressed by many spouses of patients with COPD. Inform her about
the Better Breathers Club (BBC) of the local chapter of the American
Lung Association; tell her that the BBC offers education and social
support for COPD patients and their families and significant others.
Tell her that she needs to be able to vent her feelings and get
advice from people who are in her same situation. Reinforce that
this is something she has to do for herself.
Contact social services, who can arrange respite care for the wife,
perhaps some home health aide to do light housekeeping and assist
him in bathing. Spouses experience considerable suffering in living
with someone with COPD. They are often left embittered,
emotionally exhausted, and financially drained
