Helen,
In those municipalities (such as mine) considering passing a law to
prohibit smoking in workplaces, including nursing homes, there have been
concerns that the law would force smoking seniors outside into the snow to
smoke during the winter.

We already know that ventilation is not a solution to protect either
workers in the facility and other residents as it is unable to completely
remove environmental tobacco smoke.

The other alternative suggested is for the seniors to consider quitting
smoking. Recognizing that these seniors may be long term smokers with a
serious addiction, any programs/materials geared specifically to seniors
wanting to quit would be helpful as they go through this "serious and
traumatic process."

The situation of smoking in nursing homes is difficult as on one hand
there are smoking seniors (possibly with a long term addiction and few
years left to live) and on the other hand there are non-smoking seniors
(possibly also with a few years left to live) and the staff of the
facility (who must work in the same area as the smoking seniors). Which is
more important… the enjoyment of their last few years of life for smoking
seniors or non-smoking seniors? and how important is the protection of the
health of the workers of the nursing home?

Craig Metzger
Public Health Manager
Huron County Health


[log in to unmask] writes:
>Kia ora Elizabeth,
>
>I have to wonder what will be achieved for people of this age and in this
>setting by quitting.  Quitting is a serious and traumatic process,
>difficult to achieve at the best of times and requires personal support,
>and counselling.  I doubt that sufficient support will be available in a
>busy nursing home setting, no pamphlet or wall chart is going to do it!
>It
>sounds as if the quitting idea is being imposed rather than an informed
>choice.  It would be more ethical and useful to ensure that their smoking
>doesn't pollute the smoke free air of the non smokers.
>
>Cheers  Helen R
>
>Helen Rance
>[log in to unmask]
>
>>Hi,
>>I am looking for materials suitable to use with seniors in a nursing
>home to
>>aid them in quitting smoking.
>>
>>Thanks
>>
>>Elizabeth Michael
>>Health Promoter
>>Hastings and Prince Edward Counties Health Unit

Send one line: unsubscribe click4hp to: [log in to unmask] to unsubscribe
See: http://listserv.yorku.ca/archives/click4hp.html to alter your subscription