Practical Aids
Practical Aids to Help You
ILFA has a variety of practical aids to assist patients with lung fibrosis. Please contact ILFA if you would like to request any item. All of ILFA’s resources are provided free of chanrge to ILFA’s members and healthcare professionals working in respiratory medicine.
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Hand Held Fans
Breathlessness is a common and distressing symptom for patients with lung fibrosis that can impact on quality of life. Research has shown that using a hand-held fan to blow air across the nose and mouth can help reduce the sensation of breathlessness for patients with breathing difficulties. ILFA’s hand-held fans are available free of charge for patients, respiratory nurses and physiotherapists to order.
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STALL Breathing Technique Card
The ILFA STALL Card is designed to be carried in a wallet, purse or pocket and it has simple instructions on how to control your breathing if you experience breathlessness. Show this card to your caregiver / companion so that they can help you if you have breathlessness.
ILFA STALL breathing technique
(S) Stop what you are doing
(T) try to remain calm and turn up your oxygen if necessary
(A) assume a position of comfort for example sitting, leaning forward against furniture or a wall, resting your shoulder against a wall for support
(L) let yourself daydream and imagine yourself in a safe, relaxing, tranquil place
(L) let your breathing return to normal.
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Medical Alert Card
Patients who use supplementary oxygen can request an ILFA Medical Alert Card for their wallet, purse, bag or oxygen carrier. The Medical Alert Card contains important information about your healthcare team and your oxygen company in case this information is needed in a medical emergency.
The specific oxygen requirements of lung fibrosis patients are different to those with other chronic respiratory disease.
Contact ILFA by emailing info@ilfa.ie or calling 086 871 5264 to request your Medical Alert Card.
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The ILFA Directory of Services
The ILFA Directory of Services aims to provide patients with accessible information on the resources available to them in order to enhance their activities of daily living and to improve their quality of life.
The Directory of Services also contains a nationwide listing of some companies that provide appliances, products, and services that may be useful to patients with lung fibrosis. We hope that by providing this information in one source, the Directory of Services saves patients and their families considerable time and effort when trying to access services.
Our Directory of Services was compiled using the shared experiences and knowledge of lung fibrosis patients, along with supplementary research.
An electronic version of The Directory of Services is available to download. Please note this ocument is being updated.
A hard copy of the Directory of Services can be requested by contacting the ILFA.
Mindfulness and Mental Health Resources
Headspace The app can be downloaded onto a smart device and you can try it for FREE. At the moment, there are additional free resources in a section on the app called ‘Weathering the storm’ that vary in length.
Mindfulness and Relaxation Centre, Beaumont Hospital– there is a fantastic range of meditations and relaxation exercises on this site so hopefully there’s something for everyone!
Stress Control – This website will help provide you with skills to fight stress (for most of us, a mix of anxiety and depression) and boost your wellbeing.
List of counselling and mental health support services available, including supports for different age groups, mobile apps, phone and online resources.
https://www.hse.ie/…/supports-and-services-during-covid-19.…
Advice on how to cope during these challenging times including looking after our physical and mental health
https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/together/…
Minding your mental health during Covid
https://www2.hse.ie/…/minding-your-mental-health-during-the…
Information and support for people experiencing mental health difficulties
Information line (01) 284 1166 (from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)
www.mentalhealthireland.ie or email info@mentalhealthireland.ie for more information
Free online Stress Control classes available via youtube at 2pm or 8:30pm (Mon and Thursdays x 6 weeks) – started on Monday 13th April
https://www.hse.ie/…/free-online-stress-control-classes.html
If you are struggling with increased anxiety, feeling depressed or have suicidal thoughts, please seek help and contact your GP or go to your local Emergency Department for help
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