Behavioral Intervention to Support Smoking Cessation and Treating Insomnia in an Elderly Woman Living in a Nursing Home: A Case Study

Abstract

Elderly people are vulnerable to health problems, yet some of them also experience difficulties adhering to a healthy lifestyle. Frequent smoking behavior is often found in the elderly population. Thus far, one of the most effective methods to help the elderly overcome the smoking habit is through a behavioral approach, especially when it is supported by motivational interviewing (MI). This case study reports on a two-week smoking cessation process as it was conducted on a single elderly subject who lives in a nursing home using the principles of behavior modification and MI. Considering that the client not only had a smoking problem but also insomnia, the same method was applied to increase the client's amount and quality of sleep. Another behavioral technique which was also used in treating her insomnia was a deep breathing technique. The two-week period of intensive intervention resulted in data showing that the intervention was successful in lowering her cigarette consumption and gradually increasing her amount of sleep. This case study shows that a simple treatment can be done in a systematic and measurable way, in a relatively short time, to promote a healthy lifestyle among the elderly in nursing homes.