Coach Trip

For this month’s meeting we left our usual sanctuary to embark on a magical mystery tour. And despite a few worrying moments, the weather held up for our annual coach trip, which this year was to the Secret Gardens at Salutation Manor House in Sandwich. The gardens were originally designed by Edward Lutyens and his “planting partner” Gertrude Jekyll and only restored, replanted and opened to the public in 2004 so we were enthusiastic to see what had been achieved. And they did not disappoint.

Following a tasty lunch at Deal, we arrived at these truly exquisite gardens at 2.30 and happily wandered round enjoying their elegant layout and beautiful flowers, until, in need of refreshment we downed delicious cream teas in the cosy tearoom. Then, refreshed and accompanied by souvenir plants from the nursery, we boarded the coach for home.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Active 4 Life

Siobhan and Alex two of the Physiotherapists from the Specialist Respiratory Team started the meeting by telling us all about Pulmonary Rehabilitation. They explained how breathlessness in COPD leads to inactivity which in turn leads to muscle wasting and then further breathlessness. This cycle of inactivity can be broken by Pulmonary Rehabilitation classes which is an eight week tailored programme of exercise, relaxation and education. Classes are held twice weekly and are designed specifically for people with chronic lung conditions.

The classes aim to improve quality of life and promote self-management by increasing awareness of your disease. The first class starts with an assessment of your exercise level which is reviewed again at the final session. The other sessions begin with an exercise circuit and include an educational discussion or talk on a topic relevant to COPD.

There are usually up to 14 people in the class, all of varying abilities and each person is encouraged to exercise at their own level and pace. The classes are very informal and many of our members have made lasting friendships through their Pulmonary Rehab classes.

Those of our members who have previously been on a Pulmonary Rehab course were interested to find out that they may be eligible to go on a top-up course after 18/24 months. To find out more call the Respiratory Team on 01227 594640.

Once people have completed Pulmonary Rehabilitation classes many are looking for a way to continue the exercises and this is where Active 4 Life classes come in. Carol Gillatt took over the meeting at this point and explained about the range of classes available in the area, ranging from Gentle Active 4 Life, Aqua 4 Life, A4L Gym to Advanced Active 4 Life. You need to be referred to join a class, usually by a GP, a nurse or the Pulmonary Rehab physios for example. Classes are held in Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay. For more information see the website www.activelifeltd.co.uk

Buteyko

A dozen stalwart members and several new ones braved another snow storm in February to hear Eileen McShane talk about Buteyko. Buteyko is an alternative treatment discovered in Russia and initially aimed at asthma with a high degree of success. It is now claimed to improve many other conditions too, and works through limiting hyperventilation and conserving carbon dioxide within the body. This is controversial as a treatment for emphysema whose frequent retention of carbon dioxide is often a major problem. So our members with this condition were very interested to meet Eileen and learn her views on the relevance of Buteyko for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the whole range of lung conditions which our member are living with.

Such was the interest from our members that questions went on right through tea time as Eileen also demonstrated EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) Tapping, a technique thought to channel the same energies as acupunture and reduce anxiety and calm breathing.

Christmas Lunch 2009

Christmas Lunch 2009

World COPD Day

Boots the Chemist were very happy to welcome the BE Canterbury and District group into their Whitefriars branch in Canterbury to hold an awareness stand on World COPD Day. The event was well supported, with the primary care trust specialist respiratory team sending four of their staff, and the BLF's Tina Patel and Mollie Jackson, our previous Chair, also being with us. Besides several of the committee staffing the stand, members of the group visited, and the respiratory staff carried out lung function testing. We were able to spread the word about the BE group, and several members of the public expressed interest and may attend. It was pleasant to hold this friendly, vibrant and successful event indoors and we are very grateful to Boots for their welcome and cooperation.

BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES EXPLAINED

Members of Breathe Easy are vulnerable to serious and dangerous exacerbation of their illnesses, often resulting in hospitallization and requiring various degrees of extra care.
So we were very lucky to have Gloria Manser from the Citizens Advice Bureau and Age Concern, along with another senior, and modestly anonymous, member of Age Concern’s staff, as guest speakers at our November’s group meeting to explain the range of benefits and other entitlements that older people, and people with disabilities are able to claim. Their services operate in Whitstable, Canterbury and Herne Bay, and we learnt that Age Concern and Help the Aged are shortly to amalgamate, becoming Age UK.

Some of the services are particularly helpful. The Home Support Service provides volunteers to make home visits and help fill in the sometimes dauntingly long and confusing benefit application forms. There is also a “Care Navigator Service” for people over 55, which provides help in getting grants for new boilers or cavity insulation. This service will also put people in touch with Social Services for an assessment of their needs. The “Home from Hospital” service will give some help during the difficult time when patients have been discharged from hospital, including light shopping and housework; this is a free service.

A range of other services are obtainable, such as a personal alarm service, reassuring in the event of falls; funeral plans are available, as is a home help service.

Gloria emphasized that, despite some people’s reluctance to claim benefits, we have paid for these benefits through our National Insurance and are therefore fully entitled to claim. She explained the intricacies of the Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance, and stressed the importance of getting help filling in the forms to ensure your needs are clearly expressed. She explained about Self-Directed Support, where money can be available to enable individuals to remain at home, rather than go in to residential care, and who is entitled to Carer’s Allowance.