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Tailoring smoking cessation for older adults
1Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
Cancer
|October 1, 1994
Summary
Tailored smoking cessation programs significantly improve quitting rates for older adults. The Clear Horizons program showed higher success than generic guides, highlighting the need for specialized interventions for this demographic.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Over 4.5 million adults over 65 continue to smoke, often heavily.
- Older smokers represent a critical demographic for smoking cessation interventions.
- Existing smoking cessation programs may not adequately address the unique needs of older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the rationale for tailoring smoking cessation programs for older adults.
- To present a model for developing tailored programs.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a tailored program for older smokers.
Main Methods:
- A review of the literature on tailoring smoking cessation programs.
- Presentation of a 10-step model for program development.
- Evaluation of the Clear Horizons program, a tailored intervention for older smokers.
Main Results:
- The Clear Horizons program achieved a 20% smoking cessation rate at 12 months.
- This rate is significantly higher than the 15% achieved with a generic guide.
- Older smokers demonstrated a positive response to a tailored approach.
Conclusions:
- Smoking cessation programs tailored to older adults are effective.
- Older smokers are responsive to interventions designed for their specific needs.
- The American Cancer Society should prioritize tailoring programs for this population.