Quitting smoking is one of the best things seniors can do for their health, and you should do everything in your power to help your aging loved one quit. This major lifestyle change can reduce the risk of several health complications, including high blood pressure, certain forms of cancer, heart disease, and respiratory infections. Here’s a quick glimpse at some tips and tricks you can use to get your parent to quit smoking for good.
1. Educate Yourself & Your Parent
One of the best things you can do for your parent is spend a little bit of time educating yourself about the dangers of smoking and different methods that can be used for quitting. Many older adults never even consider quitting simply because they don’t know about some of the dangers, and you might need to present that information to begin this process. In addition to doing online research, you can also speak with your loved one’s primary doctor about tactics that can be used to break this habit.
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 elder care. You 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. Set a Date
After your parent has decided he or she is ready to quit, you might want to set a quitting date. On that date, you’ll need to go through the entire home and remove all cigarettes and smoking paraphernalia, such as lighters and ashtrays. You might also want to have some distractions for your loved one because that first day could be very difficult.
3. Consider Nicotine Replacement Therapy
When it comes to quitting smoking, nicotine replacement therapy is one of the most effective methods. This type of therapy allows individuals to gradually lower the amount of nicotine they consume each day while avoiding the many carcinogens that can be found in cigarettes. There are quite a few types of nicotine replacement therapy, and your loved one’s primary doctor should be able to suggest at least a few products. Nicotine gum is a very popular product, but your loved one might prefer patches or tinctures.
4. Keep Your Parent Occupied
Forming healthy new habits is going to be another important step in this process. If your loved one is bored at home, it might be very tempting to start smoking again. Exercising is a great start, and rigorous activity can trigger the production of “feel-good” chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. You can also suggest picking up a new hobby that keeps your loved one focused and entertained.
If your parent needs a companion to enjoy hobbies and games with at home, a home caregiver can be a wonderful asset. For families living in Barrie, 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. Help Your Loved One Manage Stress
Many people smoke because it helps them manage stress, and that could be true for your loved one. As soon as your parent quits, he or she may become irritable and have at least a few mood swings. Teaching your loved one how to handle that stress could make quitting much easier. Some of the best options for relieving stress include socializing, exercising, journaling, meditating, and using guided breathing techniques.
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 senior care. Barrie Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives. If your loved one needs professional care, Home Care Assistance is here to help. To hire a compassionate, dedicated caregiver, call us at 647-970-3803 today.