Baby boomers, or those born between 1946 and 1964, grew up in a time when there was little to no evidence showing that cigarette smoking was bad for you. In the early 1950s, doctors were even prominently featured promoting cigarettes in ads, as evidenced here. It’s no coincidence, then, that as the American population gets older, a lifetime of exposure to smoking among boomers has resulted in an increase in lung cancer cases from 190,000 in 1999 to 220,000 in 2017. If you are invested in the long-term health of older loved ones who smoke, it would be wise to encourage them to begin their quit journey and provide much-needed support. Here are a few ways to do that.
Introducing nicotine replacement therapy
Nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) are a well-established smoking cessation tool, allowing users to gradually lower and eventually eliminate nicotine use while minimizing the severity of withdrawal symptoms throughout. You can help older loved ones navigate the Prilla website, which features a vast selection of tobacco-free nicotine products from brands like ZYN, VELO, Rogue, and On! Together, you can read more about the different available strengths and flavors of nicotine pouches, including mint, coffee, citrus, and cinnamon. There’s a nicotine pouch for every smoker’s preference and usage level. Plus, seniors won’t need to leave home as the pouches can be delivered directly to their doorstep from a US warehouse. One study showed that the use of NRTs like pouches helped 26% of over 45,000 smokers maintain a seven-day abstinence from smoking, even at the six-month mark. The prevalence was even higher for light smokers at 30.6%.
If the quitter you are supporting has used chewing tobacco in the past, perhaps a seamless transition can be facilitated through smokeless alternatives with synthetic nicotine, which is a synthesized form of nicotine that contains absolutely no tobacco constituents. Fully Loaded Chew uses synthetic nicotine with food-grade ingredients, available in a long-cut format that your loved one is likely already familiar with. Once they have gotten used to using NRTs less often, they can transition to this product’s nicotine-free version until they are ready to stop using NRTs entirely. However, NRTs should ideally be supported by new activities to fill in the minutes usually occupied by smoke breaks.
Engaging in hobbies together
43% of Americans aged 60 and older report feelings of loneliness and social isolation, and 27% of them live by themselves – a higher incidence than anywhere in the world. At this age, social isolation poses serious health risks, more so if they are smokers. Being there for them more often may help to support your loved one through their cessation journey. Together, you can engage in activities they enjoy that keep their hands occupied, such as knitting, watercolor painting, or other handicrafts. Providing social support not only gives them a way to maintain accountability on their quit journey; it also helps them feel valued, which can boost their emotional and mental health.
Sending messages of support
As much as you want to provide constant in-person support, busy schedules and long distances may make this problematic. In this case, there are ways to show you care from afar. Our previous post talked about how our Talking Madi large display digital clock allows you to record messages for your loved ones in your voice. This helps them maintain a positive mindset for quitting, especially when staying the course is tough. You can schedule messages in advance, like after mealtimes, when people are more likely to experience nicotine cravings. While this is not a foolproof solution, it helps older adults receive all the encouragement they can get.
Finally, while your support is vital to their success, do respect the autonomy of the person trying to quit. They are in charge of their lifestyle change, so trust that they will go through smoking cessation at their own pace. Relapses are common as well, especially during the first quit attempt. As a loved one, the best way to be there for a quitter is to remain compassionate and nonjudgmental through the ups and downs of their journey.