What are signs that a loved one who is a smoker needs oxygen?

At his age I would not worry about the smoking. Its already done its damage. But, if he is using Oxygen no one should be smoking around it.

Maybe you should consider placing your husband. Check out VA homes and see if he qualifies. Next time he is in the hospital claim unsafe discharge. No one able to care for him.

Smoking helps NOTHING. Smokers are addicts, and smoking is slow suicide. Please don't advocate that people smoke for any reason. I know many people who died from smoking-related illness, and every one of them deeply regretted starting to smoke in the first place.

It's best to stop buying him tobacco products and ask his doctor how to wean him off of his addiction.

For more context, here is one of your posts:

https://www.agingcare.com/questions/my-73-yr-old-husband-is-a-smoker-who-will-not-wear-mens-depends-and-is-a-fall-risk-any-advice-497843.htm

Since smoking wrecks your pulmonary and circulatory systems, he may sleep a lot more because he's not getting enough oxygen. Does he see a pulmonologist? Has be been diagnosed with COPD? If the answers to those are "no", then this is where he needs to start.

In your prior post you said your husband is 73 yrs old. Let's assume he's been smoking since late teens, therefore about 60-ish years. My friend, a retired pulmonary therapist, says if you quit by 30 you can recover your lungs. Anything after that... there's no "better chance" to have an impact on the damage done. It's already affected his heart (per your other post). It's apparent his lungs are now compromised.

More information would be helpful, like if he sees a specialist and has a diagnosis.

A pulse ox finger reader to measure his 02 level, but a doctors order for oxygen is required.

Nicorette gum is not the only way to quit smoking or get a nicotine hit. I used nicotine lozenges in cinnamon flavor sold at Walgreens in various strengths.