This COPD awareness course provides health and social care workers with the knowledge needed to support adults living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, commonly known as COPD. It explains how the condition affects breathing, daily activities, independence and emotional wellbeing, while keeping the person’s choices and individual care plan at the centre of support.
This free course covers common COPD symptoms, treatment awareness, pacing, breathlessness management and person-centred medicines support. Learners will also explore how to recognise possible flare-ups, follow COPD action plans, obtain clinical advice and respond appropriately when emergency signs are present.
Why Take This eLearning Course?
COPD affects each person differently, so effective support depends on understanding their usual symptoms, abilities and recovery pattern. This course helps care workers provide calm, consistent assistance, recognise important changes and act within their role and competence.
This course will help you to:
- Understand how COPD affects the lungs and breathing
- Recognise common symptoms and establish a person’s usual baseline
- Support daily activities without unnecessarily reducing independence
- Use pacing, rest and activity planning to reduce avoidable breathlessness
- Respond calmly when a person becomes breathless
- Recognise signs that may indicate a COPD flare-up
- Follow individual action plans and escalation procedures correctly
- Provide person-centred support with inhalers and nebulisers
- Distinguish changes requiring clinical advice from medical emergencies
- Record, report and hand over concerns clearly and accurately
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Define COPD and describe the main changes it causes in the lungs
- Identify common causes, risk factors and symptoms of COPD
- Explain how COPD can affect daily activities, relationships and emotional wellbeing
- Describe person-centred approaches to pacing, rest and maintaining independence
- Recognise signs and possible triggers of a COPD exacerbation
- Explain how to follow an individual COPD action plan
- Describe appropriate support for breathlessness and agreed breathing techniques
- Outline safe, consent-based support with inhalers, spacers and nebulisers
- Identify when prompt clinical advice or emergency assistance is required
- Record and communicate observations, actions and outcomes accurately
Supporting People with COPD in Social Care Settings Course Outline
The course is organised into six modules covering COPD awareness, daily support, flare-ups, breathlessness management, medicines support and escalation. Each module connects practical observation with the person’s care plan, agreed responsibilities and individual preferences.
Module 1: Understanding COPD, Symptoms and Treatment
Learners will develop an understanding of COPD, including narrowed airways, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and restricted airflow. The module explores smoking and other possible risk factors using respectful, non-judgemental language. Learners will consider common symptoms, including breathlessness, coughing, phlegm, wheezing and chest infections, and learn why knowing the person’s usual baseline is essential. It also introduces common treatments, pulmonary rehabilitation, smoking cessation support and the boundaries of the care worker’s awareness role.
Module 2: Supporting Daily Living, Independence and Wellbeing
Learners will examine how COPD can affect personal care, mobility, household tasks, meals, sleep, hobbies and social participation. The module considers emotional effects such as tiredness, frustration, fear, reduced confidence and isolation. It explains how pacing, planned rest, task preparation and manageable stages can help a person remain involved in daily life. Learners will also explore person-centred approaches that balance safety, choice, independence, activity and social connection.
Module 3: Recognising and Responding to COPD Flare-Ups
Learners will explore what is meant by a COPD exacerbation or flare-up and how it differs from ordinary variation in symptoms. The module covers changes in breathlessness, activity, coughing, wheezing and phlegm, as well as possible triggers such as infections, smoke, fumes, weather and individual sensitivities. Learners will understand the importance of early action and learn how to check the person’s baseline, follow their COPD action plan, report concerns and avoid making unauthorised treatment decisions.
Module 4: Supporting a Person During Breathlessness
Learners will consider how calm communication, reduced activity and comfortable supported positions can help a person experiencing breathlessness. The module explains breathing control and pursed-lip breathing where these techniques have already been taught or recorded for the individual. Learners will explore practical examples of pacing during walking, personal care and other daily activities. They will also learn how to observe recovery and escalate concerns when breathlessness is unusual, prolonged or not responding as expected.
Module 5: Person-Centred Support with COPD Medicines
Learners will gain awareness of inhalers, spacers and nebulisers, including how devices differ and why colour should not be used to identify a medicine. The module explores consent, choice, privacy and the different levels of support that may be recorded in a medicines care plan. Learners will review a safe process for checking instructions, confirming authorised support, observing the person’s response and completing accurate records. It also reinforces the need for task-specific training, assessed competence and advice when prescriptions, device settings or care instructions are unclear.
Module 6: Clinical Escalation, Emergency Response and Handover
Learners will identify changes that require prompt clinical advice, including increased breathlessness, altered coughing or phlegm and reduced ability to manage usual activities. The module distinguishes these concerns from emergency signs requiring an immediate 999 call, such as severe breathing difficulty, inability to speak, blue or grey colouring, sudden confusion or unusual drowsiness. Learners will explore how to support the person while awaiting emergency help and how to provide a clear, factual record and handover after an incident.
Target Audience
This course is suitable for:
- Care workers supporting adults in residential or nursing care
- Home care and domiciliary care staff
- Supported living workers
- Personal assistants and community support workers
- Senior care workers and team leaders
- Health and social care staff seeking introductory COPD awareness
No previous specialist knowledge is required.
FAQ
Who is this course suitable for?
This course is designed for health and social care workers who support adults living with COPD. It is relevant to residential care, home care, supported living and community-based services.
Do I need any previous experience?
No previous COPD training is required. The course provides introductory awareness for care workers and reinforces the importance of following individual care plans, local procedures and role boundaries.
What will I learn on this COPD course?
You will learn how COPD affects breathing and daily life, how to recognise changes from a person’s normal baseline and how to provide person-centred support. The course also covers flare-ups, breathlessness, medicines awareness and escalation.
Will this course help with day-to-day care practice?
Yes. The course includes practical approaches to pacing, activity planning, communication, maintaining independence, observing symptoms and reporting concerns. These principles can be applied during routine care and support.
Does the course cover practical breathing support?
The course explains calm support, comfortable recovery positions, pacing and breathing techniques that may already have been taught to the person. It does not provide clinical training or authorise workers to introduce new breathing exercises.
Does it cover inhalers and nebulisers?
Yes. Learners receive general awareness of inhalers, spacers and nebulisers, along with consent, recording and role-boundary principles. Device-specific administration must only be completed by workers who are appropriately trained, assessed as competent and authorised by the care plan.
How long does the course take?
The course is self-paced and usually takes around 1 hour to complete.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. A certificate is issued after successful completion.
Supporting a person with COPD requires careful observation, calm communication and an understanding of what is normal for that individual. This course gives care workers a clear foundation for promoting independence, following agreed plans and responding appropriately when symptoms change.
Enrol now to build your understanding of supporting people with COPD.
