A blog that I follow recently published 33 tips for simplifying your life with COPD.  Though some of the tips were helpful, many were not practical for someone with COPD.

First off let’s look at the practicality of buying a riding lawnmower.  These devices are expensive and may not be practical unless you have a large lawn to mow.  Hiring the work done is probably a more practical solution because mowing is just one of the things that need done to maintain a nice-looking lawn.  How about the trimming which I find to be more taxing than the mowing especially if I have a riding mower?  These tools also require routine maintenance which may be outside our ability to do.

One hint that I did find helpful was to buy long-handled tools like a grabber, a long-handled shoe horn, and a long-handled sock aid.  I do not have a problem bending over, but I know a lot of people who do.  If your lungs are extended or lengthened, then bending over to unload the dishwasher, or tying your shoes, or putting on your shoes and socks can be a struggle.

The truth is that I find the hints that are provided by actual COPD patients to be much more practical.  The aforementioned blog did not take into account that people with COPD are often on a fixed income and have to spend a considerable amount of their income on medications and doctor’s appointments.

Yes, I am making another plug for why people with the disease should be included in all aspects of the research and treatment of the disease.