ABSTRACT
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a potentially fatal, slowly progressive disease of the airways. Making the diagnosis and sharing the diagnosis with the patient and the carer is only the beginning of management. Management must have achievable, specific and meaningful goals. The proposed interventions should include both patient and carer. The general practitioner, community matron or a specialist nurse in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is in a better position to help the carer. COPD is a management challenge and demands more of the primary healthcare team's time. The carer should be involved in the care plan and in ongoing management of the patient. Involvement of the social worker to give advice on claims for disability or mobility benefit may also help the carer. The final stage of the illness can be very distressing for the carer.
