Older adults are more susceptible to lung cancer than their younger counterparts, and there are many factors that put them at risk for this condition. However, there are several ways to lower an aging parent’s risk of lung cancer.
Encourage Your Parent to Quit Smoking
Seniors can lower their risk of lung cancer by quitting cigarettes and other tobacco products. However, many older adults find it difficult to quit smoking, especially if they’ve been lifelong smokers. If your loved one wants to quit, help him or her devise an effective smoking cessation plan. Common options include counseling, group therapy, and medication. There are over-the-counter solutions like nicotine patches and gum that can help seniors overcome nicotine withdrawal. While a lifetime of smoking takes a toll on the lungs, senior smokers shouldn’t give up hope. When older adults quit smoking, their lungs start to repair themselves. As seniors’ lungs become healthier, their risk of lung cancer goes down.
Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional in-home care. Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Test the Home for Radon
Excessive exposure to radon is among the leading causes of lung cancer in older adults. Radon gas emerges from dirt and rocks, and it can get trapped inside houses. To make sure your parent isn’t exposed to unusually high levels of radon, test the home for this gas. Easy-to-use test kits are available at home improvement stores. If your parent’s home does contain high amounts of radon, you can hire a radon mitigation service to get rid of the gas and enhance air quality.
Reduce Exposure to Other Harmful Substances
If your loved one doesn’t smoke but has been experiencing respiratory issues, he or she may have been exposed to a harmful substance. Possible toxins include asbestos, silica, exhaust, chromium, and diesel fumes. If your parent still works, his or her workplace may be the culprit. Make sure your parent’s home and work environments are free of potential threats.
Living with a serious health condition can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Richmond, VA, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Home Care Assistance. Using our proprietary Balanced Care Method, our respite caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity.
Focus on Diet & Exercise
There’s no specific diet that can ward off lung cancer. However, eating nutrient-rich foods and getting regular exercise could lower the risk of developing this type of cancer. Seniors need to eat diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins and engage in regular cardiovascular exercise.
Lung cancer isn’t the only health issue older adults are prone to. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality elderly home care. Richmond families trust Home Care Assistance to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably. To learn about our quality-assured services, give us a call at (804) 207-4746 today.