Golden years, smokefree cheers

Two women in their 80s who have proved it’s never too late to feel the benefits of a smokefree life.

Margaret Hills, an 88-year-old great grandmother from Palmarsh near Hythe, couldn’t be happier she’s finally quit smoking and put an end to the constant coughing that was ruining her life.

She said: “I was coughing all day and night but that all went away within three weeks of me stopping cigarettes.”

Margaret, who spent her working life on local farms and nursing homes, had been smoking for 70 years and had developed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which was causing her coughing. “I didn’t want to go out because people would think I had something catching, I became very isolated.”

Margaret’s daughter Tarina, who cares for Margaret, added: “I could hear mum coughing all night. It got so bad that I worried she might choke.”

Margaret’s GP referred her to the One You Kent Specialist Smokefree Service. This innovative program aims to make quitting smoking as supportive and achievable as possible.

Tarina could not praise the service enough: “Liz Miller, our adviser, was amazing and mum couldn’t have done it without her. She came to our house, which really helped because mum isn’t very mobile and has trouble with her hearing. It was a really personal service. I am so proud of mum and everything she has achieved.”

Liz said: “It was so nice to be welcomed into Margaret’s family home. We discussed what nicotine replacement products might work for her, she hadn’t tried these before and decided patches and an inhalator would work well. She found these really helped her quit.”

Sylvia Parks, an 84-year-old retired factory worker and grandmother from Sheerness is celebrating her smokefree life after more than 60 years of lighting up.

Sylvia, who enjoys feeding the ducks from her park home balcony, said: “My chest was getting worse and I was getting sick quite a lot. I didn’t want my children to have to run around and spend all their time looking after me. I thought I really should give quitting a serious go. My breathing is so much better now.”

Sylvia valued the home visits from Jane Line, her Smokefree Adviser, saying: “I can’t leave the house on my own and wouldn’t be able to drive or walk all the way to the bus stop. I’ve tried to quit before and spoke to someone on the phone but I didn’t like that.

“I’m so grateful to Jane, she helped me understand the benefits of not smoking. She made it easy to quit with the patches and her support. Having her come to my home was such a bonus. I much preferred seeing her face-to-face because it felt more personal.

“My family are so proud.  My daughter was boosting to a doctor at the hospital this week that I’d quit. He said: “Well done!” – it’s such a good feeling. I’d never go back to smoking now.”

Jane said: “Sylvia has been an absolute star, she’s taught me that it’s never too late.”