A new peer support group for those living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in Carrick-on-Suir and the surrounding areas is now meeting weekly on Mondays at 11am in the Carrick Swan Juvenile GAA Centre (located beside the Courthouse Car Park in Carrick-on-Suir).
There is no charge, participation is free at all times.
COPD is the name for a collection of lung diseases including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. COPD is one of the most common respiratory diseases in Ireland. It usually affects people over the age of 35. It is a disease that makes it hard to empty air out of your lungs. This is because the airways get smaller leading to airflow obstruction. This can result in shortness of breath or tiredness because you are working harder to breathe.
The establishment of the free charge group in the Carrick area results from collaboration between the COPD Support Ireland organisation, Tipperary Sports Partnership, the HSE Community Specialist Respiratory team in South Tipperary and people living with breathlessness in the Carrick on Suir locality.
Weekly group meetings will provide an opportunity to exercise safely amongst peers, improve self-management and quality of life. It will be suited to all fitness levels. The friendly group will have the services of a fully qualified trainer. Free to join and participate in, the group’s organisers promise it will be great fun for all ages!
The goal of these free peer-to-peer support groups is to motivate, engage and support people living with COPD overcome any negative feelings and physical symptoms in their day-to-day life through the integration of peer support and care. The importance of interacting with those in your community who live with the same condition is part of the COPD Support Ireland self-management plan.
Participating in regular exercise is proven to increase muscle strength, flexibility, strength and most importantly control of breathing and quality of life for those living with COPD.
A Launch Day/Open Information Day held last week introduced the peer support and exercise group for people living with breathlessness caused to COPD.
Speaking at the Launch in the Carraig Hotel, Sinéad Delahunty (Senior Respiratory Physiotherapist with the HSE’s Community Specialist Respiratory Team, South Tipperary Chronic Disease Management Hub, St. Brigids Hospital, Carrick-on-Suir) said:
“The Carrick-on-Suir COPD Support Ireland Group will provide, free of charge, weekly fun exercise classes and an opportunity for people living with COPD to learn more about how to manage their condition from each other and local health care and community professionals. It will be a great community support that will assist patients and their families to exercise, be smoke free, and look after their physical and mental health while having fun and making friends.”
“A project in line with the HSE’s Integrated Care Programme for the Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease, we look forward to this free group being a resource and facility for so many people in Carrick and its surrounding areas in this part of South Tipperary, North Waterford and South West Kilkenny.”
For further information on venues and times for activities, contact (083) 086 4118 or e-mail support@copd.ie
Last updated on: 29 / 03 / 2023
