You will need some support to help you manage your illness.
Family, friends and your healthcare team can support you. Group counselling and support groups can also help.
COPD Support Ireland
COPD Support Ireland offers support for:
- people with COPD
- family members and carers of people with COPD
- healthcare professionals who support people with COPD
This service can help support you to better understand your symptoms and manage your condition.
Freephone: 1800 83 21 46
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
COPD Support Ireland - copd.ie
Financial support
If you have COPD, you may have to give up work. You may not be able to do your job if you are short of breath.
If you are not able to work, you and your family may be entitled to some government support.
Statutory Sick Pay
If you have a job but cannot work because of your illness, you are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay from your employer.
Disability Allowance
If you do not have a job and cannot work because of your illness, you may be entitled to Disability Allowance.
Disability Allowance - citizensinformation.ie
Carer's Allowance
If you are caring for someone with COPD, you may be entitled to Carer's Allowance or Carer's Benefit.
Carer's Allowance - mywelfare.ie
You may be able to get other benefits if you have children living at home or if you have a low household income.
Tax relief
You may be able to claim tax relief on the cost of some treatments as part of your health expense annual return. Find out more about this at your local tax office or check with revenue.ie.
Chronic Disease Management (CDM) programme
The CDM programme helps you and your GP prevent, diagnose and manage chronic diseases such as COPD.
You can register for the programme with your GP if you have COPD, or are at risk of developing COPD, and:
- have a medical card or GP visit card
- are age 18 and over
What support you get
The programme includes 2 visits to your GP in a 12-month period.
Each review includes a consultation with a GP and a practice nurse. These can be at the same review or at different times. There must be at least 4 months between reviews.
If needed, the GP can refer you to the local Chronic Disease Hub for support from the following specialists:
- spirometry - to diagnose COPD
- respiratory consultant review
- respiratory nurse - for COPD self-management education, including inhaler technique advice
- respiratory physiotherapist - for advice and techniques to help with COPD symptoms (such as clearing phlegm and shortness of breath)
- pulmonary rehabilitation
- stop smoking specialist
