Caring for a breathless patient at home

Breathlessness is a very frightening symptom - and living with a breathless person can be very stressful.

Having some control over how you breathe, over your thinking and some practical ways to manage everyday activities can really help.

Anxiety and breathlessness are very linked - breathlessness make you anxious - and when you are anxious you breathe more quickly and less efficiently.

Top tips
  • Control your breath - watch the Managing breathlessness video from St Christopher's 
  • Think about your position - to get maximum air into your lungs
  • A flow of air by your nose from a hand-held fan or open window can really help
  • A cool wet flannel over your nose may help
  • What helps you to calm - music, TV, relaxation - try some of the guided meditations below
  • Eat small regular meals that are soft and don't need too much chewing
  • Practical tip - a towelling dressing gown instead of drying with a towel can save energy after a shower
Panic attacks

Think of 4 F's ! Fan, Flop muscles, Forward lean, Focus on long breath out

There are many excellent resources that can help you:

St Christopher's have also produced 4 very short  videos (each less than 4 minutes) 

To help you calm

St Margaret's Hospice have produced some brief videos to support guided relaxation and meditation

Meet and share with other people how to live better with breathlessness, you could try a Breathe Easy group if there is one near you

Recommended Resources

St Christopher's - Managing breathlessness

Published 1st April 2023

St Margaret's Hospice Care - Guided meditation

Published 10th April 2023

Hull York Medical School - A guide to living well with breathlessness

Published 1st January 2023

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Related Services

Breatheasy groups
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The support group is a way to learn more about living with a lung condition and share your experiences and stories with others.

Community Palliative Care Team - based at St. John's Hospice
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Community Palliative Care Team - based at St. John's Hospice

T. 020 7806 4040

St. John's Hospice provides advice and visiting palliative care patients for some parts of Central London.

Referrals can be made Monday to Sunday 9.00am to 5.00pm.

Referral form for clinician use only.

Community Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form V4 (DOCX)
Community Palliative Care Team (South) - Royal Trinity
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Community Palliative Care Team (South) - Royal Trinity

T. 020 7787 1062

Royal Trinity Hospice (South) provides advice and visiting palliative care patients of Hammersmith and Fulham, Central London and West London.

They can be contacted 8am -8pm  7 days a week.

Referral form for clinician use only.

Community Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form V4 (DOCX)
Pembridge Community Palliative Care Team (North)
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Pembridge Community Palliative Care Team (North)

T. 0208 102 5383 / 0208 102 5000 (out of hours)

Pembridge Community Palliative Nurse Team (North) provides advice and visiting palliative care patients of Hammersmith and Fulham, Central London and West London.

They can be contacted Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm.

Referral form for clinician use only.

Community Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form V4 (DOCX)

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