Dan Schletty, Health & Wellness Coach, Riverwood Healthcare
For anyone who needs a reason to quit smoking, the increased risk of dying at a younger age could be a big motivator. Smokers often die about a decade before nonsmokers, according to the National Cancer Institute. Specifically, the chance that a young person will live to age 80 or older is about 70 percent for nonsmokers but only 35 percent for smokers. Stated differently, a smoker loses about 11 (women) to 12 (men) years of life compared to nonsmokers.
The good news is that professional smoking cessation support is available at Riverwood Healthcare Center. Dan Schletty, Riverwood’s health and wellness coach, recently became certified as a Tobacco Treatment Specialist through the Mayo Clinic. Among the key elements of the training were: 1) providing effective treatment for all forms of tobacco and nicotine use; 2) information on effective medications; and 3) providing clear and accurate information on causes and consequences of tobacco use.
“Telephonic quit lines are a great resource for those ready to quit smoking,” Schletty explains. “We want individuals to continue to use these resources. However, many may prefer a more personalized approach through face-to-face support. When the timing is right and someone is ready to quit, we want to be able to help them out immediately.”
He adds: “Tobacco addiction should be looked at as a chronic disease and we want to make sure that a patient’s provider stays informed on his or her progress towards cessation. Research shows that cessation rates increase with the combination of pharmacotherapy and ongoing behavioral support. In addition to tobacco use, coaching sessions can address weight management, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, as well as other health issues.”
Schletty is available to meet one-on-one with anyone in the community who wants support to quit tobacco use at no cost. To schedule an appointment or to learn more, call Dan Schletty at (218) 927-5168 or email dschletty@riverwoodhealthcare.org