It’s COPD Awareness month! Are you “aware” that the COPD Foundation offers free educational materials? You can download free copies of the Foundation’s booklets, kits, and even a smartphone app! We recently “reimagined” the entire downloads library to incorporate vibrant imagery, themes of hope and empowerment, and newly updated information. There is something for everyone in our collection! Let’s dive in and see what materials might be helpful to you, your family, and your caregivers.
Our COPD Foundation Guides for Better Living series is a collection of 9 booklets that each discuss a different topic on COPD management. From nutrition and exercise to advance directives and coping with COPD, there is a guide for every step in your COPD journey. Download a free sample of the Guides at: http://copdf.co/guides
If you are newly diagnosed with COPD, you may want to download our Basics of COPD booklet at: https://copdf.co/31pwvkt. This booklet covers many different COPD-related topics and is a helpful resource to individuals who are new to COPD management. This is a great booklet to share with friends and family, especially when you are first diagnosed with COPD.
If you are a smoker, or know someone who is, you may want to check out our Impact of Smoking flyer. Here, you will find encouragement and help in your quest to quit smoking. The flyer offers you a “recipe for success” that includes tips on how to quit smoking. Take a look at the flyer at: https://copdf.co/3qr4ZxB
As we’ve learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, we all have to be ready for an emergency. Our Disaster Preparedness Plan is a kit that offers a booklet, lists, and other tools to help you plan for an emergency and stay safe. Download a copy of the kit at https://copdf.co/2ki5mY3 and start working on your own personal plan with family and friends today!
Everyone with COPD should have a plan for when they feel well and when they feel a flare up starting. Our My COPD Action Plan will give you instructions to follow on good days and bad. Fill out the My COPD Action Plan with your health care provider and follow it every day. Get your copy here: http://copdf.co/my-copd-action-plan
And with the cold and flu season quickly approaching, don’t forget to use our Tips for Living Well with COPD. This flyer offers tips and tricks for staying healthy. You can find it here: https://copdf.co/2S2PHAs. And our Staying Healthy and Avoiding Pneumonia flyer is another important resource for staying well with COPD. Find out how to avoid pneumonia and other lung infections by downloading your copy here: https://copdf.co/COPD-Pneumonia
You will also find exercise and inhaler videos on our website at: https://copdf.co/videos. These videos show you safe ways to exercise and how to use your medication properly. They are also available along with many of our other resources in our free smartphone app, the COPD Pocket Consultant Guide. The app is free to download on both the Google Play store and Apple store. Download it today and get a wealth of resources right at your fingertips! Find out how on our website: https://copdf.co/pcg-download
All of these resources are helpful for individuals with COPD and can also be shared with family and friends to help bring awareness to COPD and other lung diseases. Which educational materials are your favorites? How do you bring awareness to COPD and lung health? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments. I can’t wait to hear from you!
Kristen S.