Have an AA Appeal for man, aged 72 turned down when he applied for AA for help w/ shopping & cleaning rather than personal care. EMPreport noted he would need help w/ bathing but only other restricted activity was stairs outside flat (54). He is priority for sheltered hsg & continues to smoke about a pack a day. Have just received consultant's report diagnosing 'very extensive emphysema' & stating clt is 'severely under weight' (about 6 stone). 'Oxygen levels are low' & specialist has recommended for oxygen therapy in 'domicillary setting' only when clt gives up smoking. So specialist has asked GP to enrol him in community 'smoking cessation programme' + referred to hospital based dietician. Physical effects of disease is cited as 'severely impaired exercise tolerance (down to few metres on the flat' prognosis: 'a very real possibility that his life expectancy will be shortened by disease process.'
Can't find any helpful decisions re emphysema & wonder whether I should explore linking smoking habit to an addiction or alcoholism? New GP has written vague albeit supportive letter used to get OK for taxi fares to/from hearing. Pl let me know asap of useful CD's etc. Ta