It is normal to feel anxious and have some level of fear of death when your COPD has advanced to severe stages.²⁴ You are just human after all, and living with the condition for a long time does not necessarily make it easier to think about your future.

When you are working with your team of experts to compile your COPD Action Plan, also take some time for you and your family to discuss goals of treatment and preferences regarding end-of-life care, and the use of life-sustaining treatments such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, dialysis and feeding tubes. Consider formalising these decisions in advance directive documents (e.g. designating a health care proxy or enduring power of attorney).²⁴