Community Hospital will present its quit smoking classes, called FreshStart, on November 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, and 18. The class is completed on November 18, the Great American Smokeout Day. Each class is from 7-8:30 p.m. in the hospital’s multi-purpose room, according to the program coordinator, Jacquetta Davis.
FreshStart is designed to help smokers of all ages stop and stay stopped. It offers smokers essential information and strategies to direct their efforts at stopping smoking, according to Davis. Trained facilitators who facilitate group discussion and oversee the individual’s stopping smoking plan lead class sessions. “There are no lectures; only presentation of information and group discussion. The program’s focus is on how to stop or cut down,” she said.
The program consists of six sessions, which are taught by a team of trained hospital staff. Many of the session facilitators are ex-tobacco users, Davis said. Sessions include:
Session 1: Jacquetta Davis, a former smoker and trained facilitator, discusses why people smoke. A pharmacist or physician discusses nicotine replacement therapy, NRT, to help quit smoking.
Session 2: This session focuses on the benefits of quitting smoking, with quitting techniques introduced by Jacquetta Davis.
Session 3: Cindy West, physical therapist, teaches stress management and relaxation techniques. This session will run from 7-9 p.m.
Session 4: Registered respiratory therapy staff will offer a class on understanding lung disease; discussing lung problems that can develop due to smoking and other causes.
Session 5: Quit smoking techniques will be reviewed and additional quitting techniques will be introduced by Dari Olson, a trained facilitator. Pat Rice, registered dietitian, will discuss good nutritional tips.
Session 6: Review with Dari Olson and a guest speaker/former smoker will tell their story.
“There is no magic cure for smoking,” Davis said. “No program can give you this. Your commitment and effort will make you successful in stopping smoking. FreshStart will help you to focus and strengthen your efforts and commitment.”
She said a participant need not already have quit to register for the class, however, if they are interested in quitting ahead of time and using the class as follow-up support, pre-counseling is available by calling her.
Pre-registration is important, she said, as all registrants will receive a confirmation letter prior to the class.
Fee for the class is $20. The fee is waived for former students who are repeating the class. To register, call Jacquetta Davis at 308-345-8323 or Dari Olson at 308-345-8362. The class is limited to 15 people.
McCook, Nebraska 69001
