Respiratory Education Centre (REC)

The Respiratory Education Centre was created in 1999 to meet an identified need for education and support for adults older than 16 years of age with a diagnosis of asthma.

Our services are available for the area between Port Renfrew and Victoria, north to the Malahat and east to the southern Gulf Islands and include:

• hospital
• community
• home
• environmental
• public health services, including education and prevention

The main goal is to help patients understand their chronic condition and help them to better manage their asthma in partnership with their family physician.

With the support of your doctor, the Centre will help you gain and maintain control of your lung condition, achieving the best results with the least amount of medication.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) can be a daily struggle. But with our Better Breathers Clubs on Vancouver Island, you don’t have to do it alone. For people with COPD and their caregivers, Better Breathers Clubs offer the opportunity to learn ways to better cope with the disease while getting the support of others who share in your struggles.

To find a Better Breathers Club near you, go to BC LUNG  or call the BC Lung  Association at 1-800-665-5864.

These support groups give you the tools you need to live the best quality of life you can. Better Breathers Clubs meet regularly and feature educational presentations on a wide range of relevant topics, including:

• how COPD affects the lungs
• breathing and coughing techniques
• exercise
• managing your Stress and Anxiety
• breathing Medications and other treatment options
• your local community resources for people living with COPD

If you feel alone and isolated, these support groups can help. They give you a place to go where people understand what you are going through and can share some of the ways they have learned to cope with the disease. It feels good to talk with others who understand, which can have a positive impact on your health.

Resources:

Read about how Home Health Monitoring can help people living with COPD.

These patient educational handouts are designed to help the patient and physician to reinforce good health care in patients with respiratory disease.

EXERCISES

• Exercising Safely with COPD
• Home Exercise Program
• Home Exercise Record
• Lower Body Exercises
• Relaxation Techniques
• Stretches
• Upper Body Exercises
• Walking and Breathing with Rhythm

BREATHING

• Active Cycle of Breathing
• Breathing Effectively
• How to Cough Effectively
• S.O.S. for S.O.B

MISCELLANEOUS

• Keeping Intimacy Alive
• Nutrition Tips for COPD
• Postural Drainage
• Recognizing Signs of Worsening COPD
• Simplifying Daily Activities
• Sleep Hygiene
• Ways to Reduce Stress
• Quit Smoking Resources

Patient Education Links

The Asthma Society of Canada 
1-800-787-3880

The Lung Association 
1-888-566-LUNG