Does anyone know where or what we can use for a client to be able to smoke safe and independently?
He has cerebral palsy, minimal hand function, unable to grasp etc. And would benefit from some kind of equipment that can be put on his arm rest /armchair where he just needs to lean forward to snoke it. Normally I dont encourage smoking but this is really meaningful for him. Any ideas will be fab thanks!
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Totally agree Irene! I haven't given up although he becomes super upset with me just asking him to have a walk and LOOK at e-cigs. Hes reaching 70, but there's always hope! Thanks for the reminder as I can see if REMAP can make something that can equip for an e-cig as well as normal ones, in case his function or mind changes about cigs. Wish UK had the Aussies norm of not smoking..but I think its catching!
Some great alternative suggestions there Irene! Thank you for this - I'm sure it should give Cat some more food for thought!
Jamie @ The OT Hub
Would your client consider switching to eCigarettes or Vaping? From a harm minimisation point of view, they are generally considered to have less health risks (though I know the research is still being done), and they don't involve lighting or concerns about dropping ash, etc. Would require someone to assist with changing the cartridges. There's also the cartridge Nicotine Replacement Therapy, which is like sucking on a plastic cigarette to get a nicotine hit - and can be used to reduce smoking (e.g. could be used when someone isn't around to assist with cigarette lighting, and doesn't have the carcinogens in cigarettes). We often aren't sure about the conversations we should be having and the balance between supporting occupational behaviours and what to do when those behaviours are actually harmful. I see my duty as a health professional to inform people about the risks as well, but in a supportive and person-centred way. The COPM and Motivational Interviewing can provide great ways to have these conversations. I'm also in Australia, where smoking is not the social norm, and it's harder to find public places where smoking is acceptable (or legal!), so that does make a difference in those conversations.
Thanks so much for the positive feedback Cat! 😊 Thank you for taking time and thought to engage with us in the Forum. Many OTs/students lack confidence with this - but we need more like you to get involved and collaborate as professionals around the world!
Thanks this is really helpful and I'm so glad we have the OT Hub!!
hi i had a carer who made his wife a smoking device, it was a cigarette holder attached to a bunson burner wirh rubber tubing, the burner, and cigarette could sit on a side table out of harms way, you can also get a smokers robots, a similar device, google “handsfree smoking” a few ideas. i would also support Shelley’s recommendation of REMAP, a great bunch of helpful engineers
Hi Cat,
We've shared your Q&A Forum post on our Facebook Page, to alert fellow Hub Members of your new post. We hope you find some answers here - whilst we also don't advocate smoking, we understand your very client-centred query, for an occupation that is meaningful to this individual!
All the best
The OT Hub Team
hubteam@theOThub.com
Hey Cat, here's the link I sent you on OT4OT in case anyone else would benefit from knowing about Remap too: http://www.remap.org.uk/ A wonderful bunch of retired engineers, based nationally in the UK, they've made all sorts of weird and wonderful creations.