The worsening of a disease/condition over time
A formal documentation when someone else is given the responsibility to manage your affairs and make certain decisions on your behalf
Refers to the lungs
A group of tests used to check how well the lungs take in and release air and how well they supply oxygen to the rest of the body14
A type of high blood pressure that affects the blood vessels to the lungs and the right side of the heart15
Therapy that provides relief from symptoms to help patients live more comfortably with their disease13
Administration of oxygen as a medical intervention11
A small plastic tube or prongs that fit in the nostrils to deliver supplementary oxygen11
Listening to and playing music as a therapy which aims to ease the symptoms of those living with IPF
A sleep disorder characterised by breathing that repeatedly stops and starts during sleep12
A specialist who helps someone recover or live with their symptoms more easily
A machine that removes other gases from the air to provide oxygen for oxygen therapy11
An education and exercise program designed to improve the quality of life for people with lung conditions16
A physician specialised in lung problems (also known as a respirologist)
A product that gives protection against a specific infection
A test used to monitor oxygen levels in a patient’s blood, usually with a non-invasive sensor11
A breathing technique to help control breathlessness and reduce anxiety17
A disease that affects only a small percentage of the population
Something that is associated with an increased risk of disease or infection
A technique that helps to reduce stress and anxiety by helping to understand and manage your emotions
Therapies used alongside conventional treatments that help treat symptoms and may improve overall physical and mental wellbeing
A medical study that investigates how safe and effective a new therapy or technique is for treating a certain disease
A disease or condition that occurs at the same time as another disease or condition
A device to deliver compressed air to improve sleep in people with obstructive sleep apnoea6
A disease where a waxy substance (plaque) builds up inside the coronary arteries, which supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle7
A type of chronic disease that typically worsens over time and is characterized by long-term breathing problems and poor airflow. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are older terms used for COPD5
Refers to the heart, and blood vessels
A type of medication that aims to slow the scarring and stiffening of lungs to slow disease progression2
Tiny air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from the blood takes place
A test that shows how well the lungs are working by measuring how much oxygen and carbon dioxide is in the blood. This test requires that a small volume of blood be drawn from the patient3
Techniques that involve breathing in a certain way to control breathlessness and strengthen your lungs
A procedure in which a bronchoscope (a medical instrument like a tube) is passed through the mouth or nose into the lung and fluid is squirted into a small part of the lung and then collected for examination4
A lung condition where the air sacs within the lungs (alveoli) become damaged5
Extreme weariness resulting from exertion or illness
Of unknown cause
Rapid and uncontrolled breathing
A disease where there is progressive scarring or thickening of the lungs without a known cause4
The surgical removal of cells or tissue samples from the lung for examination by a pathologist10
The lung tissue becomes thickened and stiff
A test that uses a type of X-ray that produces multiple, detailed images of areas inside the body4
A burning sensation in the chest, which can spread to the throat, along with a sour taste in the mouth
Where inflamed tissue is replaced with scar tissue, making it thicken and become stiffer4
A symptom where the ends of the fingers become wider and rounder8
A digestive disease where stomach acid moves up out of the stomach and irritates the lining of the food pipe (oesophagus)9
A physician specializing in the management of diseases of the digestive system
An event characterized by sudden, severe worsening of symptoms or an increase in disease severity1
While much of the focus might be on the person you care for, it’s worth taking the time to pause and consider what you want and need for yourself.
Taking care of someone else can sometimes have a toll on your physical and mental health1, but it doesn’t have to.
83% of caregivers said that providing care is a positive experience in their life.2
When you’re supporting someone with pulmonary fibrosis, it can be hard to find a balance between your caregiving routine and other commitments, interests or hobbies. But just as the person you care for might have their own goals in life, so should you.
Maintaining relationships
Many caregivers say that they can feel isolated at times.3 With so many other responsibilities, it can be difficult to make time to see other people. But this is important. Don’t be afraid to ask for help (e.g. taking the kids to school, cooking dinner) to make time for yourself.
Working while supporting
There is no ‘one size fits all’ solution for caring for someone while working. Take time to think about what support is right for you.
It may help to explain the issues you face to your employer. This will mean they are aware of the situation if you experience problems or need some time off. You may also be able to discuss flexible ways of working.
- Making changes to your working pattern, such as flexible hours or working from home – employers who support such arrangements report increased staff loyalty, goodwill and productivity.4
- Recognizing that you may need time out for doctor’s appointments or emergencies – plan who will cover your work, who you need to contact and how your colleagues can get the information they need to cover you.
Always take time to do things for you. Then you can carry on caring
The worsening of a disease/condition over time
A formal documentation when someone else is given the responsibility to manage your affairs and make certain decisions on your behalf
Refers to the lungs
A group of tests used to check how well the lungs take in and release air and how well they supply oxygen to the rest of the body14
A type of high blood pressure that affects the blood vessels to the lungs and the right side of the heart15
Therapy that provides relief from symptoms to help patients live more comfortably with their disease13
Administration of oxygen as a medical intervention11
A small plastic tube or prongs that fit in the nostrils to deliver supplementary oxygen11
Listening to and playing music as a therapy which aims to ease the symptoms of those living with IPF
A sleep disorder characterised by breathing that repeatedly stops and starts during sleep12
A specialist who helps someone recover or live with their symptoms more easily
A machine that removes other gases from the air to provide oxygen for oxygen therapy11
An education and exercise program designed to improve the quality of life for people with lung conditions16
A physician specialised in lung problems (also known as a respirologist)
A product that gives protection against a specific infection
A test used to monitor oxygen levels in a patient’s blood, usually with a non-invasive sensor11
A breathing technique to help control breathlessness and reduce anxiety17
A disease that affects only a small percentage of the population
Something that is associated with an increased risk of disease or infection
A technique that helps to reduce stress and anxiety by helping to understand and manage your emotions
Therapies used alongside conventional treatments that help treat symptoms and may improve overall physical and mental wellbeing
A medical study that investigates how safe and effective a new therapy or technique is for treating a certain disease
A disease or condition that occurs at the same time as another disease or condition
A device to deliver compressed air to improve sleep in people with obstructive sleep apnoea6
A disease where a waxy substance (plaque) builds up inside the coronary arteries, which supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle7
A type of chronic disease that typically worsens over time and is characterized by long-term breathing problems and poor airflow. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are older terms used for COPD5
Refers to the heart, and blood vessels
A type of medication that aims to slow the scarring and stiffening of lungs to slow disease progression2
Tiny air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from the blood takes place
A test that shows how well the lungs are working by measuring how much oxygen and carbon dioxide is in the blood. This test requires that a small volume of blood be drawn from the patient3
Techniques that involve breathing in a certain way to control breathlessness and strengthen your lungs
A procedure in which a bronchoscope (a medical instrument like a tube) is passed through the mouth or nose into the lung and fluid is squirted into a small part of the lung and then collected for examination4
A lung condition where the air sacs within the lungs (alveoli) become damaged5
Extreme weariness resulting from exertion or illness
Of unknown cause
Rapid and uncontrolled breathing
A disease where there is progressive scarring or thickening of the lungs without a known cause4
The surgical removal of cells or tissue samples from the lung for examination by a pathologist10
The lung tissue becomes thickened and stiff
A test that uses a type of X-ray that produces multiple, detailed images of areas inside the body4
A burning sensation in the chest, which can spread to the throat, along with a sour taste in the mouth
Where inflamed tissue is replaced with scar tissue, making it thicken and become stiffer4
A symptom where the ends of the fingers become wider and rounder8
A digestive disease where stomach acid moves up out of the stomach and irritates the lining of the food pipe (oesophagus)9
A physician specializing in the management of diseases of the digestive system
An event characterized by sudden, severe worsening of symptoms or an increase in disease severity1
You can seek advice from your local employment advisory service to find out what you could be entitled to in the workplace
Never cope alone as a carer there is always someone there to listen and understand how you feel
Show references
Hide references
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1.
Schultz R and Sherwood P. Physical and mental health effects of family caregiving. Am J Nurs 2008 September;108(9 Suppl):23–7.
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2.
AP-NORC. Long-Term Care in America: Expectations and Reality. The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, 2014.
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3.
Carers Trust. Working and learning. Available at: https://carers.org/article/working-and-learning/. [Accessed April 2019].
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4.
Dex S and Scheibl F. Flexible and family-friendly working arrangements in UK-based SMEs: Business Cases. British Journal of Industrial Relations 2001;36(3):411–31.
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Caregiver support
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Balancing your life as a carer
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