A Launch Day/Open Information Day was held on Monday July 24th at St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre, Broad Road, Monaghan to introduce the new COPD Support Group.
The group offers support and exercises for people living with breathlessness caused by Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
The COPD Support Group in Monaghan will meet each Monday between 12.15pm and 1.15pm in St Josephs Pastoral Centre, Monaghan Town (located beside Dunnes Car Park).
There is no charge, so 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 Monaghan area results from collaboration between the COPD Support Ireland organisation, the HSE Monaghan Integrated Respiratory team and people living with COPD in the Monaghan locality.
Weekly group meetings will provide an opportunity to exercise safely amongst peers and 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.
Participating in regular exercise is proven to increase muscle strength, flexibility, and most importantly control of breathing and quality of life for those living with COPD.
Speaking at the launch in St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre today, Eugene Quigley Senior Respiratory Physiotherapist with the HSE’s Cavan Monaghan Integrated Respiratory Team, said “The Monaghan 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. 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 Monaghan.”
Katie Macintyre, Support Co-ordinator, COPD Support Ireland stated, "COPD Support Ireland peer support and exercise groups are a wonderful way for people living with COPD to meet each week, exercise together and share their lived experience of COPD. Many people with COPD can feel isolated by this condition, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic where many withdrew from their usual social activities. COPD support and exercise groups have been vital to help reconnect them with their community and navigate the challenges of life with this chronic disease in a safe and empathetic peer support environment. We are delighted to have been supported by the National Clinical Programme, Respiratory in receiving funding from the HSE this year to deliver and grow our COPD support and exercise groups nationally and we are very excited to welcome all those living with COPD in Monaghan and surrounding areas to our new group.”
For further information on venues and times for activities, contact (083) 086 4118 or e-mail support@copd.ie
Last updated on: 26 / 07 / 2023
