Caring Breaths: Hospice Support for Advanced Pulmonary Disease

Hospice is centered on comfort, dignity and meaningful support for both patients and families. Caring Breaths is a specialized hospice program created for patients living with COPD and other advanced pulmonary diagnoses, helping them manage symptoms and focus on quality of life.

What is Caring Breaths?

Caring Breaths is designed to address the unique physical and emotional needs that come with advanced pulmonary disease. The program helps patients and caregivers feel informed, supported and confident throughout end-of-life care.

Caring Breaths helps patients and families:

• Manage symptoms such as shortness of breath, anxiety and fatigue
• Understand what changes to expect as the disease progresses
• Know when and how to take action at home
• Prioritize comfort and quality of life

Education and Guidance for Patients and Families

Education is a key part of Caring Breaths. Patients and families receive an interactive patient guide designed to support comfortable end-of-life care and reduce uncertainty during challenging moments.

The interactive patient guide includes:

• Education about advanced pulmonary disease
• Breathing techniques to ease discomfort and distress
• Guidance on proper oxygen use
• Coping strategies for patients and caregivers
• Support focused on comfort and peace of mind

By offering clear and compassionate guidance, this resource helps families feel more prepared and less overwhelmed.

Advanced Pulmonary Disease Action Plan

Caring Breaths also includes an advanced pulmonary disease action plan customized to each patient’s diagnosis. This plan uses specific zones to help patients and caregivers quickly understand what steps to take as symptoms change.

The action plan helps families:

• Recognize early signs of symptom changes
• Understand when symptoms can be managed at home
• Know when to call for support
• Avoid unnecessary emergency room visits

This proactive approach gives caregivers confidence and helps patients remain comfortable in familiar surroundings.

How Hospice Supports the Whole Family

Hospice supports medical needs, and it also provides emotional, practical and spiritual support for both patients and their loved ones. This can include:

• Managing pain and breathlessness
• Reducing anxiety and emotional distress
• Offering guidance during transitions
• Providing reassurance and compassionate presence

Elara Caring’s hospice team partners closely with families to ensure they never feel alone during this time.

Call Us First: Support When You Need It

With our Call Us First approach, help is always available. Our hospice team is just a phone call away 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Families can call us to:

• Ask questions about symptoms or medications
• Share concerns or changes in condition
• Receive immediate guidance and support
• Get help without defaulting to emergency care

A Compassionate Approach to Pulmonary Hospice Care

Caring Breaths reflects Elara Caring’s commitment to personalized hospice care for patients with advanced pulmonary disease. Through education, customized planning and around-the-clock support, we help patients and families focus on comfort, connection and quality of life when it matters most.

Contact your local branch to learn more.