According to the Surgeon General, smoking is the number one cause of preventable disease and death in the United States. Smoking causes several types of cancers, lung disease, and heart disease. It’s never too late for your senior loved one to enhance his or her health by quitting smoking, and here are a few ways you can help.
1. Talk with Your Loved One’s Doctor
Your loved one might not listen to you or other family members when you ask him or her to quit, but you may have more success with a doctor’s encouragement. Many seniors enjoy going to their doctors and respect their physicians’ professional opinions. Discuss your concerns about your loved one’s smoking with his or her doctor, and make an appointment. Try to go with your loved one to the appointment. The doctor might be able to reach your loved one by explaining the health risks of smoking and give him or her the nudge needed to stop.
A home caregiver can be a fantastic source of encouragement and support for a senior who’s trying to kick the smoking habit. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of in-home care. Montgomery families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.
2. Stay Positive
People are more likely to change when they receive positive messages. Instead of telling your loved one the negative effects of smoking, state how his or her life could change in positive ways. For example, you could tell your loved one that giving up smoking could help him or her live longer to enjoy spending time with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
3. Avoid Triggers
You might notice your loved one walks out to have a cigarette when certain things happen. For example, your loved one might regularly smoke while in a vehicle. Taking the bus or utilizing a ride-sharing service may make it more difficult for your loved one to smoke. Other triggers may include being tired, binge-watching television, being in a stressful situation, or attending a party. Avoiding or changing these triggers can help your loved one quit permanently.
4. Encourage Making New Friends
Smoking may be a social activity for your loved one. When everyone around your loved one smokes, it may be difficult not to join in. Encourage your loved one to make some new friends and seek out new hobbies and opportunities. Volunteering, joining a new gym, and taking a class at a local senior center are great ways to try new things and meet new people.
If your parent needs transportation to activities or a companion to enjoy hobbies and games with at home, a home caregiver can be a wonderful asset. For families living in Montgomery, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Home Care Assistance, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
5. Make Plenty of Healthy Snacks
Some people complain that when they stop smoking they gain weight. The nicotine in cigarettes curbs many people’s appetites. When he or she stops smoking, your loved one might feel hungrier than before. Encourage your loved one to satisfy his or her cravings with healthy food options. Fresh vegetables with hummus, whole wheat crackers with cheese, and fresh fruit and cottage cheese can help your loved one give up smoking without packing on the pounds.
If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of home care services. Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives. Contact one of our experienced Care Managers today at (334) 593-3988 to learn more about our reliable in-home care services.