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V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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My mother is coming and I smoke my significant other vapes. Mom has copd how can I clean this house so she won't have problems. Thank you in advance!!!
I strongly agree with someone else who mentioned just having the patient stay elsewhere in a smoke free environment. Another thing you can do is open a window across the room and have a fan blowing out the window and another one blowing from other end of the room, creating an airflow. I have asthma and can't be around smoke and someone I know does this for me but it's not 100% perfect but it does work very well for the most part. The best thing though for anyone with respiratory issues is not to be around any smoke because you never know when that smoke may trigger a reaction. Sometimes if a little bit of smoke comes your way you end up having to fan it away with a hat or whatever you confined to fan it away from you. I've actually found myself coughing up mucus after going out into the fresh air and sometimes I find myself coughing up quite a bit. I think what I'm going to have to do is carry a small battery powered fan when I see my friend. I can't tell them not to smoke but they have helped me by making certain accommodations when I would otherwise not even be there. Apparently he cares enough about me to make necessary accommodations so I can be with him.
Opening windows will do very little to eliminate the smoke smell. This past winter my Dad's caregiver would go out onto the glass enclosed sun porch to smoke at Dad' house. This was for 3 months until my Dad moved to senior living... now the caregiver uses a "smoker's porch" which is outside the building.
Anyway, I was selling the house "as is" but I wanted the tobacco smell out of the sun porch, so I opened up all the windows 24/7 for the next 6 months until the house went to closing. On rainy days I closed all the windows, but the next day the tobacco smell was just as heavy as if I didn't have any windows opened :(
relwood, I grew up the era where everyone thought cigarettes were safe to smoke. Even today, with science proving how harmful cigarettes are and health issues with second hand smoke, there are still folks who say cigarettes are safe to smoke.
If you and your SO can smoke or vape outside, having air filters might help inside the home with lingering smells/contaminants. I've heard really good things about Rabbit Air Purifiers. They make different filters for different issues, and are pricey. But if your mom is going to be staying with you a good part of the year, it might be worth looking into. When we had construction done at our house, I bought some that were either Holmes or Honeywell from Target that were HEPA (but NOT ozone -- those are gross smelling) and it made a big difference in air quality. Maybe putting one in her bedroom and one in the common area might help?
Laundering drapes, wiping down walls with pinesol or vinegar and water, getting carpet cleaned and just keeping your windows open before her visit might help decrease odors.
Is your mom on oxygen? If so, you probably know this already but it is very dangerous to smoke inside the house when there is an oxygen tank there. Just take care. I hope you and your mom have a good time together!
fregflyer, the difference between you and me, is just like National Institute of Health I can throw out all kinds of names and none of will mean anything. You can look anything up on the internet and find someone that is will to throw unproven information out there so people like you can say "see I told you so" even when a 100 other research labs say the opposite.
Pklandry: It is going to be difficult to get that smoke out of your house. I don't see how it's feasible for your mom to come there. Even if you get a cleaning company to come in and do a cleaning, the smoke is still within the walls and furniture.
My Mother had COPD and I always kept a fan on her to help her breathe.I'd be sure to have a fan ready for her and get a heating pad too.Pick up anything she might trip over like throw rugs.Falls are the worst!!!You may need some nightlights.I hope you have a wonderful visit with your Mom.Take care,Lu
relwood, the National Institute of Health would disagree with you regarding vapors.
"Testing of some e-cigarette products found the vapor to contain known carcinogens and toxic chemicals (such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde), as well as potentially toxic metal nanoparticles from the vaporizing mechanism."
I did also mean to add that I'm sure that seeing your mother is very important to both of you. I applaud you for being aware and wanting to do what you can to make her visit a success and to protect her health. While the answers make it sound next to impossible you can make things better. You've been given many suggestions that hopefully will at least reduce the toxins. Perhaps she can also take extra precautions by wearing a high quality mask. I know nothing about these masks but I'm sure you can research and find what is best. Also I wonder if it will help if you try to get out of doors with her? Depending on your environment or her overall health but perhaps there are parks where you can have picnics. Gardens you can visit. Restaurants that are non smoking. Things that enable her to breath cleaner air. Limit the time in your car ( if you smoke in your car) or in spaces in the home where you usually smoked. Perhaps you have a patio where you can visit. Perhaps an air filter for her room? Perhaps you can accept the challenge to stop smoking for the duration of your moms life so she and you can visit often. If that's too hard maybe a visit to the dr to find out what you can do to help. I know there are aids in the big box stores. Perhaps your SO has some ideas to help you stop. Let us know what works for you. I'm glad you asked the question as it might help others who are in the same boat. Many of us don't realize how our habits affect others today and into the future. I know it's not easy to quit and I'm sure you are well aware that it's the best thing you can do for your own health. 1. Stop contaminating now. 2. Clean with non toxic cleaners. 3. Limit exposure to contaminated areas. 4. Check out masks and filters. 5. Plan for cleaner air outings. 6. Get professional help. I hope you have a great visit.
Sorry. Message posted before I finished. The aunt had been in hospice last two months of her life. When they went into the home the smoke smell was strong. So I can't help but wonder what that did to my friends aunt all those years of living in that house with the residual smoke.
The smell of the cigarettes is in the house, in the carpet, drapes, furniture, clothing, bedding it is in the walls. there is no way you will get it out. You can try to neutralize some of the odors. There may be some sprays that will help. Vac carpets, remove any bedding in the room where she will stay and clean that as thoroughly as possible. Air out the room. Remove drapes is possible. You do not say how long it will be until she arrives but the longer the time the better as it will get some of the odors out. DO NOT smoke in the house until she leaves. (better yet quit now) If she will be in your car follow the same procedures for cleaning the car. As a matter of fact check an auto store they may have a product that is used in cars to remove the smell of smoke. Or check a company that does emergency cleanup after fires and flooding. I am sensitive to smoke and I can tell if the person in the car in front of mine is smoking if the wind is right. I just dislike it I don't have a medical condition. After watching my Mom, Dad and Grandma all die of smoking related cancers no way would I smoke! Maybe that is where I picked up my dislike for the smell of smoke.
My best friends aunt just died of copd. She did not smoke. Lived alone for years. But the house she lived in for the past 20 years had belonged to smokers. Even though it had been cleaned weekly all these years smoke can still be detected. My friend days it is there when you open the front door. When the ac comes on. When a closet is opened. If ac is off for extended time ( she had been in hospice
I agree with GardenArtist. I know of people with COPD who smoke when not using oxygen. It is the smoke that could harm her, not the odors or residues. I would shampoo the rugs if possible at very least clean with a good strong vacuum. Then wash all curtains and drapes. If you also wash the walls then all the odors will be gone too. The best thing you can do is not smoke inside while she is there. I don't think the vaping inside will cause her any harm because it isn't smoke and doesn't fill the air like second hand smoke from a burning cigarette does. Also keep her away from BBQ or any other type of smoke.
Relwood wrote: "As far as you house goes clear the carpets, drapes, bedding then air your house out and stop smoking in house or near any opening. As long as your mother isn't breathing in an smoke she should be fine. "
I take it you don't have smoke allergies, or sensitivity to smoke? If you did, you'd know that people who are sensitive can detect the lingering stench of smoke, including from odors absorbed onto walls and into furniture.
No connection between vaping and disease huh? That's what they said about smoking in the beginning too. I agree with ferris...putting a foreign substance...read CHEMICALS...into your lungs is not good for you, period. If you want to argue about its causal link to cancer and COPD and who knows what brand new diseases it could create go right ahead...but common sense knows better. The long term studies on vaping will come...10 years from now or so...and by then it will be too late. Stop now...or reduce your life span.
As far as mom with COPD...I would agree with some of the others that if she is spending a long time (two weeks?) in your home that she will experience problems....Mainly from the carpets, drapes, sofa, the soft fabrics. You should be able to wash the walls and surfaces before she comes..vinegar is a good choice as it will cut through that yellow goo smoking leaves on surfaces. Could you maybe rent a carpet cleaner before she comes? Using an enzyme cleaner on the carpet will definitely help, as well as washing the drapes. Don't use chemicals like febreeze to mask the odor...as febreeze has Teflon in it...that's even worse than smoking chemicals. Good luck.
I never discussed vapers because I have no knowledge of what they are, nor how they are used. Anything that puts a foreign substance in your body is not good for it, but my nursing education didn't address "vapors".
First off there are no studies that show any connection to COPD and vaping, vaping is vapors and nothing else. As far as you house goes clear the carpets, drapes, bedding then air your house out and stop smoking in house or near any opening. As long as your mother isn't breathing in an smoke she should be fine. Just like everything else don't become paranoid just keep a watchful eye out and her visit should go just fine. And before all these posters want to tell you how wrong I am remember there is no government warnings on vapors, and all the studies done here at U of I haven't shown and connection between vaping and lung disease as of right now.
Stop smoking! Stop smoking. There is nothing you can do to remove the nicotine smell from walls (unless you paint with no odor paint, and even then not good for COPD). Have your mother stay elsewhere. You will only endanger her condition further.
Consider your own future as a smoker. When you develop hea]lth problems like COPD, do you want others to have to go through all this just to see you? Quit smoking and use the money to buy long term care insurance.
I do not know how you would decontaminate the house, there is probabky tears of smoke on the walls and everything. Is there somewhere else mom can stay? Does she require assistance? If she can travel, she may be fine alone somewhere else. She must be bringing meds and oxygen? Make sure she has enough meds to take her through her visit. Or, if she will be staying, make sure you have doctors lined up. Many assisted living facilities have respite rooms that may be the best option for mom.
Smoke is one of the triggers that my lungd can't handle at all. You will never be able to clean your house enough. In addition to everything freqflyer already said, you would need to have all your clothes cleaned. The smoke will get into clean clothes even if the closet and drawers are closed. And then there's you. I can't be around people who smoke because it seeps into their hair and skin. But you also need to think about the cleaning process itself. The chemicals used can also set off breathing issues. Detergents, shampoos, soaps, they all have scents in them since consumers don't think things are clean unless they "smell clean". You would be far better off having your mother star in a hotel and not coming to your house. You could stay at the hotel with her but you need to clean everything you bring with you and stop smoking for the duration of the visit. And note: Vaping is the same as smoking from the standpoint of someone with copd.
Pklandry, is your mother coming to live with you? If so, both you and sig other would need to quit smoking/vaping in order for your Mom to be comfortable. Otherwise you would be bringing in the odor into the house and if you sit down on the sofa it will transfer to the sofa, and transfer to other clothes in your closets.
Guestshopadmin had mentioned carpet, paint, vents.... new carpeting/padding would need to be installed... all the rooms painted including the ceilings... all the vents cleaned out... all the kitchen cabinets scrubbed inside and out... wash all the windows inside.... unfortunately books will hold the odor and would need to be tossed out [can't donate]. Lamp shades cleaned or replaced. All light bulbs replaced as they will have that smoke coating on them. Upholstered furniture would need to be steam cleaned, if possible, hard to get smoke out of that type of furniture. All the curtains washed. If you have landline telephones, you will need new receivers as there is no way to get the odor out of those.
Hire a specialized cleaning crew, tell them the house has to be rid of smoke smell, thus they will clean your home like there had been a whole house fire.
And don't forget your cars, the whole inside including the roof liner would need to be cleaned, along with the vents.
Honestly, if you and SO smoke and vape inside the house, the house is contaminated in carpet, paint, vents, etc. You would be better off having her stay nearby and one of you stay with her. Depending on how severe it is, you could set off an asthma attack. This is one of the reasons hotels insist on no smoking rooms that are not used by smokers - you can't clear it out quickly and easily for a sensitive person.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
Anyway, I was selling the house "as is" but I wanted the tobacco smell out of the sun porch, so I opened up all the windows 24/7 for the next 6 months until the house went to closing. On rainy days I closed all the windows, but the next day the tobacco smell was just as heavy as if I didn't have any windows opened :(
Laundering drapes, wiping down walls with pinesol or vinegar and water, getting carpet cleaned and just keeping your windows open before her visit might help decrease odors.
Is your mom on oxygen? If so, you probably know this already but it is very dangerous to smoke inside the house when there is an oxygen tank there. Just take care. I hope you and your mom have a good time together!
"Testing of some e-cigarette products found the vapor to contain known carcinogens and toxic chemicals (such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde), as well as potentially toxic metal nanoparticles from the vaporizing mechanism."
1. Stop contaminating now.
2. Clean with non toxic cleaners.
3. Limit exposure to contaminated areas.
4. Check out masks and filters.
5. Plan for cleaner air outings.
6. Get professional help.
I hope you have a great visit.
You can try to neutralize some of the odors. There may be some sprays that will help. Vac carpets, remove any bedding in the room where she will stay and clean that as thoroughly as possible. Air out the room. Remove drapes is possible.
You do not say how long it will be until she arrives but the longer the time the better as it will get some of the odors out. DO NOT smoke in the house until she leaves. (better yet quit now)
If she will be in your car follow the same procedures for cleaning the car.
As a matter of fact check an auto store they may have a product that is used in cars to remove the smell of smoke. Or check a company that does emergency cleanup after fires and flooding.
I am sensitive to smoke and I can tell if the person in the car in front of mine is smoking if the wind is right. I just dislike it I don't have a medical condition.
After watching my Mom, Dad and Grandma all die of smoking related cancers no way would I smoke! Maybe that is where I picked up my dislike for the smell of smoke.
I take it you don't have smoke allergies, or sensitivity to smoke? If you did, you'd know that people who are sensitive can detect the lingering stench of smoke, including from odors absorbed onto walls and into furniture.
As far as mom with COPD...I would agree with some of the others that if she is spending a long time (two weeks?) in your home that she will experience problems....Mainly from the carpets, drapes, sofa, the soft fabrics. You should be able to wash the walls and surfaces before she comes..vinegar is a good choice as it will cut through that yellow goo smoking leaves on surfaces. Could you maybe rent a carpet cleaner before she comes? Using an enzyme cleaner on the carpet will definitely help, as well as washing the drapes. Don't use chemicals like febreeze to mask the odor...as febreeze has Teflon in it...that's even worse than smoking chemicals. Good luck.
Angel
But you also need to think about the cleaning process itself. The chemicals used can also set off breathing issues. Detergents, shampoos, soaps, they all have scents in them since consumers don't think things are clean unless they "smell clean".
You would be far better off having your mother star in a hotel and not coming to your house. You could stay at the hotel with her but you need to clean everything you bring with you and stop smoking for the duration of the visit.
And note: Vaping is the same as smoking from the standpoint of someone with copd.
Guestshopadmin had mentioned carpet, paint, vents.... new carpeting/padding would need to be installed... all the rooms painted including the ceilings... all the vents cleaned out... all the kitchen cabinets scrubbed inside and out... wash all the windows inside.... unfortunately books will hold the odor and would need to be tossed out [can't donate]. Lamp shades cleaned or replaced. All light bulbs replaced as they will have that smoke coating on them. Upholstered furniture would need to be steam cleaned, if possible, hard to get smoke out of that type of furniture. All the curtains washed. If you have landline telephones, you will need new receivers as there is no way to get the odor out of those.
Hire a specialized cleaning crew, tell them the house has to be rid of smoke smell, thus they will clean your home like there had been a whole house fire.
And don't forget your cars, the whole inside including the roof liner would need to be cleaned, along with the vents.