Using Aromatherapy and Scents for Seniors

Home Care Services South Fork.

Aromatherapy, guided visualization, and healing touch are just a few examples of complementary and alternative medicine that are helpful to the elderly in our care. Home care providers will instruct their elderly clients on how essential oils are used in their routines. Essential oils have various positive effects, including a mellower disposition, less anxious thoughts, deeper sleep, and a happier outlook.

A senior feeling uncomfortable or nervous about aging may find relief via aromatherapy. If you have an elderly loved one who has lost their sense of smell, you may be curious how this works. Aromatherapy may be practiced regardless of whether or not you have a keen sense of smell. Whether or not the oil is odorized, molecules still make their way via the nose and into the brain’s limbic system, producing the same effects either way. Emotion, behavior, motivation, long-term memory, and olfactory perception are just a few tasks that the limbic system helps.

The Best Ways to Use Essential Oils and Scents
There are several ways in which an elderly adult might benefit from having aromatherapy. Getting started using essential oils for health purposes is simple. To get the full advantages of

aromatherapy, seniors may choose various approaches.

• Evaporation– Evaporation makes using essential oils easier. Open the container and inhale deeply, or put a few drops on a cotton ball and inhale the perfume. Drop a few drops into hot water, cover your head with a towel, and inhale the steam.
• Spray Bottles– Two to three drops in a spray bottle provide portable aromatherapy: spraying cushions, linens, towels, and freshening rooms. Buy an amber or cobalt blue spray container to protect oils from UV radiation.
• Put It In The Shower– Add a few drops to a steaming bath (no more than two or three to minimize skin irritations) and enjoy the scent. For the same effect, drop some on the shower floor. Essential oils and aromatherapy are beneficial for all ages. If a senior is stressed or anxious, this may help them relax. This task is something that home care may be able to help with without becoming too stressed about the extra steps in care.

Essential Oils to Try Out 
The nice thing about trying essential oils is that each scent may help with a different area in your life. Here are some options:

• Orange– This scent is so uplifting and sweet that it can be great for anxiety. Another great essential oil for anxiety is lemongrass, which can make them or their home smell fantastic and soothing.
• Lavender– If your senior has been depressed, the smell of lavender may help uplift their moods. This scent may also help relax them during the day. However, this may not be the best essential oil for their baths because lavender can irritate their skin if they have sensitive skin.
• Sandalwood– If you’re looking to create a healing environment and need something to help them meditate, sandalwood is a great option. It is treasured and utilized by various people from different backgrounds. Sandalwood, which has a pleasant scent and may soothe the central nervous system, was used to construct many ancient Indian temples, statues, and holy things.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in South Fork, NY, call the caring staff at Artful Home Care today at 631-685-5001.