You’ve heard it everywhere, smoking is not good for you, and it is a bad habit. Just because it is bad doesn’t mean people stay away from it, and once you take up this bad habit, it can be hard to quit. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. This is an incredibly addictive habit, but there are tons of ways to quit smoking, and it is much better for your health. If you are caring for an elderly loved one who is in their final stages of life, they may not think it’s worth it to quit smoking. After all, they’ve made it this long. But the truth is, quitting the habit can really improve the quality of life for people of any age. This is something that family members and elder care should always encourage. Here are some tips on encouraging your elderly dad to quit smoking.
Help Them Understand
Maybe, your elderly dad knows it is bad, but not exactly why. They may have heard about it, but they may also think they are not experiencing anything negative, so it’s hard for them to keep thinking about it. However, if you have an open conversation with your dad about smoking, it may help him understand how worried you are for his health, and that can be a huge game changer when it comes to smoking. The risk of getting cancer from smoking is incredibly high, and it is not something a senior should battle; it can reduce their life expectancy. Sometimes, pointing out that fact can be enough to get them to quit. However, that is not always the case. You can tell them how smoking increases the risk of infections, heart problems, and even breathing problems. Although these are great things to mention and point out because they are all true, it’s important to avoid nagging them and always keep them respectful. Your loved one is still an adult capable of making their own choices, and this has to be respected by both you and elder care, who is helping them age in place.
Suggest To Slow Down
Smoking is so addictive, and the thought of quitting cold turkey can be a hard thing to process, and most people can’t do that. Instead of asking your elderly dad to quit right now, help him set goals. Ask how much they smoke a day and then ask them to do one less for a week, after that week, one less, and so on. This will help them wean off of nicotine, which is the main addictive substance in cigarettes. Slowing down on smoking is one of the most effective ways to make it seem like an attainable goal.
Ask Them Why They Smoke
You may realize that your elderly dad smokes the most when he’s stressed and stays away when he is relaxed. Often, smoking is used to cope with life. If you figure out the triggers, you or elder care can help your dad avoid them and make life easier. This means there is no need to smoke because there are fewer stressors and triggers in your dad’s life. It can be a crucial thing to figure out when asking your loved one to stop smoking.
If you are considering elder care in Bay City, TX for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.
At Your Side Home Care, provides exceptional home care for seniors and families in Houston, West Houston, Katy, Memorial, The Heights, Spring Valley, Garden Oaks, Hunters Creek, River Oaks, Hilshire Village, Galleria, Cinco Ranch, Spring Branch, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenburg, Piney Point, Bay City and surrounding areas.
Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.
Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week
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