Elderly Care in Grand Rapids, MI – May 31st is World No Tobacco Day

On May 31st every year, the World Health Organization (WHO) and their partners highlight the World No Tobacco Day to try and educate people to the health risks of tobacco use. They want to advocate for countries to adopt effective policies which could aid in the reduction of tobacco use.

It’s staggering to think about it, but tobacco kills almost 6 million people yearly. Of these, 600,000 are non-smokers who succumb to second-hand smoke. The WHO wants countries all over the globe to raise the tax on tobacco.

If your elderly loved one smokes or uses tobacco in any form, you could encourage her to quit. What are the health benefits of ceasing tobacco use?

• Pulse rate and blood pressure return to normal levels
• Nicotine levels in bloodstream are reduced
• Blood oxygen levels increase and carbon monoxide levels decrease; both are good
• Anxiety levels may peak for the first two weeks after cessation but they will soon return to normal
• Your senses of taste and smell will return to normal levels
• 2 weeks after ceasing, blood circulation in gums of mouth are similar to non-smoker levels
• Heart attack risk drops
• Lung function improves
• Body circulation improves and walking becomes easier
• Chronic smoker’s cough should disappear in 3 months or less
• Any insulin resistance caused by smoking will disappear
• Over the months and years after cessation, smoking associated risks decline

It’s never too late to stop smoking. Even if you or your elder have been smoking for many years, every day after you stop smoking your health increases and so does your life expectancy. There should be lots of community awareness going on for world stop smoking day. See if you can take your elder to one of these events. If not that, take him or her to their doctor and ask about smoking cessation programs. Don’t be discouraged if they aren’t successful on their first attempt. Most former smokers needed more than one attempt to cease smoking.

The health benefits from ceasing start right away, within 20 minutes, and continue through several years. Your doctor will be able to explain how the different cessation programs work and which may have the best results for you. If one doesn’t work, you can surely try another.

Remember that elderly home care can help you with the everyday tasks of caring for your loved one. Part time or full time care is available; you can choose the days and times that would work best for you. This can be a real lifesaver for caregivers who aren’t ready to hire full-time professional caregiving but just need to have some time each week to spend with other family members and take care of other things.