PLANTING A BULB TO REMEMBER LOVED ONES
FAMILY and friends of those who have lost loved-ones to COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) are invited to a special memorial event taking place at the start of February.
The local support group has organised the non-religious service in the Barbican in William Street, on Monday February 4th between 2pm and 6pm.
A bulb will be planted on the day to remember someone who passed away, and they will be planted at a later stage in a garden setting.
“Everyone who has lost someone to this disease is more than welcome to come along on the day, I just ask that people let me know, so we can have enough bulbs and pots to plant them in,” says Pauline O’Neill, a COPD patient and organiser of the event.
“Cllr Pio Smith has secured us a small space in the Dale, and we hope to replant the flowers there in June or July, which will be a lovely reminder of those we have lost.”
Perhaps more commonly known as bronchitis or emphysema, COPD is a chronic lung condition whose primary symptoms are breathlessness, persistent cough and regular chest infections.
Exercise is a key aspect of treatment for patients with obvious physical health benefits such as increased muscle strength, agility, flexibility and aerobic endurance, in addition to the social and mental health benefits.
“We run free weekly exercise classes for those with COPD or other respiratory problems in the Barbican every Monday between 2pm and 3pm, and you are more than welcome to bring someone along with you,” explains Pauline.
“It’s the same with the monthly information and support group meeting, on the first Friday of every month between 2.30pm and 4.30pm, where family members and carers are also encouraged to join in.”
It’s estimated that there are almost half a million people in Ireland with COPD, however, many do not know that they have it. There were 1,089 hospital admissions between 2015 and 2017 for people with COPD in Louth and it is the most common cause of disease-specific emergency admission to hospital among adults in Ireland.
COPD is caused primarily by smoking but can also be the result of inhalation of dust or chemicals, or exposure to indoor or outdoor pollution, including fumes in the workplace over an extended period of time.
Contact Pauline on 086 0733469 or Marie on 086 2588370 for details of any of the above.