A presentation created for Pulmonary Rehab about energy conservation. Teaches ways for COPD patients to conserve their energy both in the home and away from home. Tips to rearrange their home to better suit their needs.

1. Welcome to
Pulmonary Rehab
Energy Conservation
Babette Parthum, RRT
Clinical Coordinator
Respiratory Therapy

2. ●Plan Ahead
●Prioritize Your Tasks
●Position Yourself
●Pace Yourself
●Remember To Breathe
●Move Smarter
●Rearrange your house
Energy Conservation

3. ● Planning your day or week saves time AND energy
● What time of day do you have the most energy?
● Utilize this time to be active.
● Plan your activities (chores, exercise, and recreation)
ahead of time. Space out your activities throughout
the day. Do not schedule too many things to do in
one day. Do the things that take more energy when
you are feeling your best.
● Plan rest breaks after meals and throughout the day.
Rest for 20-30 minutes after each meal.
● Alternate between difficult and easy tasks.
Plan Ahead

4. ● Use your energy wisely.
● Be realistic about what activities you can
do and how much you can do.
● Ask for help. Divide tasks among family
and friends. Asking for help does not
mean you are dependent, it means you are
conserving your energy wisely.
Prioritize

5. ● Use work surfaces that are at a comfortable
height.
● One of the easiest ways to save energy is to use
your body properly. When the body is in proper
alignment, less effort is required to maintain that
posture.
● Avoid bending and lifting; push, pull or slide
instead.
● If you must lift and carry, lift with your legs, use
both hands and carry close to your body.
Position Yourself

6. ● Sit down when possible. Sitting uses 25% less
energy than standing.
● Keep items that you use often (medications,
telephone) handy.
● Store items between shoulder and waist level.
This limits climbing, bending, and reaching.
● Put items back in their designated places. This
prevents lengthy searches.
Position Yourself

7. Picture courtesy of Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia

8. Picture courtesy of Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia

9. ● Work at a relaxed, steady pace to consume less
energy.
● Break up tasks into small steps.
● Use a cart you can roll from room to room to
hold all the things you need. This limits trips
back and forth.
● Use slow, smooth movements, especially when
performing a task that requires increased effort.
Pace Yourself

10. ● If needed, use devices and tools that assist
you such as a walker, shower chair, hand-held
shower head, bedside commode, or long-
handled tools for dressing (such as a dressing
stick, shoe-horn, or sock donner).
● Wear clothes that have zippers and buttons in
the front so you don't have to reach behind
you.
Pace Yourself

11. ● Use pursed-lip breathing while you perform tasks.
● Exhale when you use effort. (ex: Breathe out when
lifting a grocery bag, breathe in once you are holding the
bag)
● Do NOT hold your breath. Focus on breathing in and
out.
● Exhale as long as you can between breaths. Exhale
longer than you inhale. This helps you take slow, deep
breaths which allows you to take in more air.
● It is OK to be short of breath. Do NOT panic! YOU are
in control of your own breathing. Pace yourself and do
your pursed-lip breathing.
● Do not rush through your tasks. This uses more energy
and worsens your shortness of breath.
Remember to Breathe

12. Picture courtesy of Mount Nittany Health

13. ● Climbing Stairs: Inhale before taking the first step.
As you exhale, straighten your leg and raise your
body to the next step. Continue as you climb
upwards.
○ Use railings for support. Stop and rest if you need
to.
● Getting Out Of Bed: Roll onto your side (move your
body as a solid unit, do not twist). Move to the side
of the bed. Inhale. As you exhale, raise your body by
pressing down with both arms. Swing both legs to the
floor. Inhale as you straighten your legs to stand.
Exhale and push off the bed with your hands.
Tips to Move Smarter

14. Picture courtesy of Back and Neck Care Centre

15. ● Adjust bed height. Your feet should touch
the floor when sitting on the edge of the
mattress
● Place a piece of sturdy furniture next to the
bed to use as support when getting in and
out of bed. (It should be at same height as
bed)
● Keep a rescue inhaler by your bed and/or
recliner for easy access.
Tips for Rearranging Your House To
Conserve Energy and Stay Safe

16. ● When showering, sit on a waterproof stool and
use a hand held shower nozzle. Use warm
water instead of hot. Steam makes breathing
harder.
● Make sure items you use the most are easy to
reach.
● Keep hallways and stairs well lit.
● When shopping, use a steady shopping cart to
lean on and ask for help when reaching for
items on top or bottom shelves.
Tips for Rearranging Your House To
Conserve Energy and Stay Safe

17. ● Remember these four things when performing
tasks: plan ahead, prioritize tasks, position, and
pace yourself.
● Remember to breathe and do not panic if you
become short of breath. Take a break when
needed and perform pursed-lip breathing.
● Moving smarter will help you save energy.
Purse-lip breathe and use your inhaler when
needed.
● Rearranging your house will not only conserve
your energy; it will keep you safe.
Conclusion

18. ● American Association of Cardiovascular
and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR)
● American Lung Association
● COPD Foundation
● Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia, 2006
References