Healthy Holiday Tips for Our Residents with COPD

Saskatoon, December 1--The month of December is an exciting time of year when we spend more time on social activities with family and friends and preparing for the holidays. Unfortunately, during this special season we also see a peak in the number of people with COPD making emergency room visits or being admitted to hospital.

Here are some important measures to ensure that our residents with COPD have a safe and healthy holiday season:

• For those people who have not had a chance to have a flu shot this fall, it is never too late. Contact your family doctor or local public health office to enquire about getting the flu shot.
• Proper hand washing is essential to staying healthy. It is particularly important to wash your hands before eating or preparing food and after using the washroom.
• If you have not ever had a pneumonia vaccine shot, speak to your family doctor. If you have had pneumonia vaccine in the past, talk to your doctor about the need for a repeat shot.
• Avoid contact with people who have a cold or the flu - including family members. If you do have contact, wash your hands.
• If you begin to have more shortness of breath than usual, or are coughing up more phlegm or the phlegm has changed colour, refer to your action plan for the steps you should take. Talk to your family doctor if you do not have an action plan.
• This can be a particularly busy and stressful time of year. Ensure you are getting enough rest from holiday activities like visiting with family and shopping.