you ask a fascinating question and one that is very worthy of discussing with your dad's physician. i tried to search for some relevant studies on this topic and did not find very many. in general people with copd do worse at high altitudes whether they have lived at altitude for a long term or not. the issues with ventilation at altitude are more complex than simple oxygen delivery. there also are issues of breathing mechanics and heart function that come into play. all of this is not to say you should not move your dad to be with you in denver. i'm saying it could be manageable if you discuss it in advance with some good doctors and learn what things you need to do to manage your dad's condition at high altitude. or you might both decide the risks are too great. my personal opinion is that quality of life matters more than quantity of life -- especially when a person reaches an advanced age. i would suggest you consult with your father's doctor (or with a physician in denver) to find out if the benefits for your dad would outweigh the risks. wishing you well!
can i bring my 88 year old father who has stage iv copd to denver where the altitude is 5500 feet. i would like my dad to come live his last days out with me. i certainly don't want to be the cause of his death but he is miserable where he is. is it worth the risk? we have an excellent oxygen concentrator that gives him a good pulse burst and he does breathing treatments. he wouldn't have to do anything that would cause over exertion. is it worth the risk?