Helping Your Elderly Loved One to Quit Smoking
Elderly Care in Hudsonville MI
Smoking is dangerous no matter what your age, but elderly smokers can face special health challenges. Existing conditions such as heart conditions and lung problems are exacerbated by 
smoking. Quitting is the best thing to do, but that can be difficult, especially if your loved one has tried to quit smoking before.
Help Her Set a Quit Date
Smoking is an addiction, so while some people can just up and quit with no notice whatsoever, there are many more people who can’t do that. It helps if you and your loved one choose a date that’s not too far in the future for her to start the process of quitting smoking. It’s a good idea to talk to her about the benefits that she will personally experience by not smoking. Most people understand that smoking is bad for them, but it’s still difficult to give up the habit. Talk with her doctor as well, to see if he has other suggestions that can help.
Help Her Stay Healthy
Physical withdrawal often gives your loved one symptoms that make her feel as though she’s ill. There are psychological symptoms as well, such as irritability, which can be managed with a healthy diet and exercise. It’s also important to help her manage her stress in other ways than lighting a cigarette. Meditation can be helpful, as can activities that keep her hands busy. Work with your loved one to figure out what other changes can help her to get over her smoking addiction.
Establish a Plan
Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and stress management are all beneficial when your loved one is trying to change a habit this large. It’s also good to know what your loved one plans to do in order to manage the nicotine withdrawal. Some people find patches to be helpful while others prefer nicotine gum or even regular sugarless gum. Strategies are also important, such as avoiding places where a lot of people smoke or activities during which your loved one usually smokes. Talk to your loved one’s elderly care providers as well to see if they have other suggestions that can help.
Keep Trying
It’s possible that your loved one is going to slip up from time to time. Don’t let your loved one feel too bad about this, though. Instead of letting guilt take over, remind her that quitting smoking is a process and it can take time and several attempts. Even cutting back on smoking can give her some solid benefits, so encourage her to just keep trying. Negativity won’t help at all.
Quitting smoking is a big step, so if your loved one is ready to take action, help her to come up with a plan of attack.
If you or someone you know needs help with elderly care in Hudsonville MI, contact Gauthier Family Home Care. We provide quality and affordable home care services in our community. Call us at (616) 258-2300 for more information.
Source
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/quittingsmoking/quittingwhenyoureolder/01.html
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