The Right Time to Quit Smoking

A new study gives us more information on how helpful quitting smoking can be, even for the oldest demographic of seniors.

Its biggest takeaway? You’re never too old to reap the benefits of ceasing smoking. In fact, they stated that quitting smoking immediately is one of the healthiest things that seniors can do. The right time to quit smoking is right now.

This study was conducted by the University of Michigan School of Public Health, with their findings published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. In order to conduct this survey, the team relied on data from health surveys, census records, and death register records.

The sooner you quit smoking, the bigger the benefits you will see.

The study found that individuals that are aged 75 that don’t smoke live, on average, four years longer than those that continue to smoke at the same age. However, the research found that when someone who is age 75 immediately quits smoking they have about a 14 percent chance of extending their life. If a 75 year old quits smoking, there is about an 8 percent chance of extending their life by an additional four years.

These benefits are compounded when people quit smoking younger. A 65 year old that quits smoking has about a 23 percent chance of living longer when compared to those that continue to smoke. For younger populations, the benefits were even greater.

One piece of good news is that there are fewer seniors that smoke now than there were seniors that smoked 20 years ago. However, there are still many challenges that seniors face when it comes to their health. Smoking remains one of them.

Smoking can be a difficult thing to stop doing, but the health benefits are clear. Other components of research indicate that there are health benefits that can be gained even within a couple days of giving it up, though. If you’re struggling to quit smoking, don’t give up hope. A few things that can help include setting a specific quit date and identifying your triggers. Seek support from friends, family, or groups, and consider nicotine replacement options. Stay busy with hobbies and practice stress management techniques like deep breathing. Reward yourself for milestones and prepare for cravings with a plan. Educate yourself on the benefits of quitting, and maintain a positive outlook. Remember, it’s a journey, and setbacks are part of the process. Even small steps can be indicative of progress.

And don’t forget to seek out medical help and advice. A doctor can help give you the guidance and assistance you need to make real progress in the fight.

Regardless of the challenges and struggles you might be up against when it comes to the care and assistance of your loved ones, having a team on your side to help out can go a long way. We’d love to be on your team. In-home senior care is what we do–and we’d love to talk more with you about how this might benefit your family. Give us a call today to talk more about how in-home care could potentially help your family.