Is It Harder for Women to Quit Smoking?
Quitting smoking isn’t easy for most people. If your older family member has been smoking for years, it may be especially hard for them. But, does gender play a role in how easy it is for a person to quit? A new study says it might.
Elder Care Loudoun County VA: Senior Quit Smoking
Smoking Cessation and Gender
Previous studies have suggested that women’s brains react differently to nicotine than men’s brains do. To learn more, researchers at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto conducted a study involving 200 people. 41 percent of the women who participated had anxiety or depression. 21 percent of the men also had anxiety or depression. The average age of the participants was 56. They smoked an average of 18 cigarettes per day for 37 years.
At the six-month mark, about 25 percent had quit smoking. 29 percent had reduced their smoking habit by greater than half. The researchers believe that when anxiety and depression were addressed in women, they were more successful at quitting smoking. In addition, they point to other factors that affect women’s ability to quit smoking, including:
- Nicotine replacements might not work as well for women because of how their brains react differently to nicotine.
- Women are more likely to worry about gaining weight after quitting.
The study suggests that in addition to dealing with depression and anxiety, women should also explore alternatives to nicotine replacements and receive counseling to deal with the psychological factors impeding their ability to quit.
Tips and Tricks for Quitting Smoking
If your aging relative is trying to quit smoking, encourage them to talk to a doctor who can advise them on medical treatments for smoking cessation as well as offering strategies to accomplish their goal. Some tips to try at home are:
-Get Rid of Triggers: Having ashtrays and lighters around the house may trigger your older relative to smoke. In addition, there may be certain situations that encourage them to smoke. For example, perhaps the older adult is accustomed to smoking a cigarette while sitting at the table reading the newspaper. If so, it may be helpful to change their routine, perhaps reading the newspaper out on the porch or sitting in the living room.
-Wait Out Cravings: The average craving for a cigarette lasts between 3 and 5 minutes. Your aging relative can wait out the craving by finding something to distract themselves for a short time.
-Keep a Reminder of the Reason: Many experts say that identifying a reason to quit smoking can supply the encouragement to quit smoking. Posting a picture that represents the reason for quitting can be an excellent way to remind the older adult of what they will gain when they quit. For example, if they want to quit to be around longer for their grandchildren, put pictures of the grandchildren on the refrigerator.
Senior care can also help older adults to quit smoking. Senior care providers can offer the distraction your aging relative needs to get through a craving. In addition, when a senior care provider is around, the older adult may be less likely to smoke because they don’t want to smoke in front of someone who knows they are supposed to be quitting.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Elder Care in Loudoun County, VA, please contact the caring staff at LivinRite Home Care.
Call Us Today at (703) 634-9991.
Sources
Webmd.com
Lung.org
Helpguide.org
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