Avon Oaks employees going smoke-free

AVON — On Feb. 15, the only smoke at Avon Oaks Caring Community, 37800 French Creek Road, Avon, will be the steam rising from food and drinks.
On that day, the senior care facility, owned and operated by the Reidy family since 1965, will become smoke-free.
Joan Reidy, administrator of the skilled nursing facility that provides short and long term care, rehabilitation and skilled nursing services, said it was time to match its mission statement with positive action.
“We are a healthcare facility. As part of our mission and values, we pledge to promote the health, not only of our patients, but of our employees, and to be a healthful influence in the community. In keeping with that mission statement, it was time to take that next step,” Reidy said.
Stephanie Lawson, a registered nurse team leader and three-year employee of Avon Oaks, volunteered to educate her fellow workers as to what is available in terms of help to quit smoking.
Lawson, 36, said she smoked her first cigarette as a teenager.
“I’ve tried to quit two times before. I’m in the process of quitting. I’ve gone from a full pack to less than a pack. I’ve cut it in half. I’ve gone through the Ohio QUITLINE and got eight weeks of free patches,” Lawson said.
“We’re trying to offer a lot of support to the staff. We’ve tried to educate them to get a support group here so we can have meetings,” Lawson said.
“I don’t know that it’s unique,” Lawson said in terms of the new smoke-free rule. “There are other campuses with no smoking, such as Community Health Partners.”
Lawson said of the smoke-free decision, “I think it’s just one more indicator that we’re healthcare professionals. We know it’s not healthy, and we know the risks and consequences. Our family would want us to quit smoking. And Avon Oaks is like an extended family.
“It’s not going to be easy,” Lawson said. “We smoke here as a social thing. So, now we have to socialize in a different way.
“We’ve had six employees who have quit out of 45 smokers and 12 who are in the process of quitting. Some are using the patch, Nicorette gum, some have quit cold turkey and some have substituted Dum Dum suckers for cigarettes.”
Avon Oaks employs a total of 150 people.
“I’m very proud of them,” Reidy said. “I had an around-the-clock meeting with the employees and explained to them why (the policy was being implemented). Our insurance company, Medical Mutual, will continue to help pay for patches. I did explain to them that I don’t expect everyone to quit, they just can’t smoke here. They’re not all happy about it.”
Reidy said the new smoke-free policy prohibits smoking not only inside the building, but on the grounds and parking lot, as well.
But Reidy said she is not out to terminate anyone’s employment.
“I’m not out to eliminate employees,” Reidy said. “I’m very proud of my employees. No one is up in arms about it. Everyone there is valuable to me. That’s why I care so strongly about their health.”
“Any business has policies and rules that have to be followed and discipline procedures,” Reidy said, adding that if someone does break the no-smoking policy, they would be offered education and a warning.
Prior to implementation of the policy, workers who smoked had a designated area outside the facility. On Feb. 15, there will be no such designated area. Even in the parking lot, employees will not be allowed to smoke, not even in their own vehicles.
“People who smoke have the smell of smoke on their clothes while they are working with residents. So, this (policy) is a good thing for residents,” Reidy said.
Only one resident smokes, Reidy said, and he will be allowed to continue to do so outside.
Reidy is considering turning one of the rooms at Avon Oaks into a combination reading room and treadmill exercise area.
Reidy said future job applicants at Avon Oaks will be advised of the no-smoking policy, but will not be barred from employment because they smoke.
“Parma Hospital will not hire smokers,” Reidy said. “We already do background screenings here for drugs. But the industry is going that way.”
Reidy admitted she, too, smoked cigarettes at one time.
“I was a heavy smoker at one time,” Reidy said. “I started smoking when I was 12 until I turned 24. I tried to quit a couple of times. I gave myself a ‘thank you’ gift when I graduated from nursing school and stopped. It was difficult. When you’re a smoker, your life revolves around your next cigarette.”