Aromatherapy and the Elderly

When elderly people reach the point that they need help with daily activities, they can start to feel a little sad because of the loss of independence. Then, they are faced with increasing illnesses, loss of loved ones, surgeries and other side effects of aging. When family caregivers and elderly care assistants are necessary to help them take care of themselves, they can feel anxiety, depression, and irritability.

Elderly Care Whittier CA – Aromatherapy and the Elderly

One simple but effective way to reduce the bad moods and eliminate stress may be found in aromatherapy for elderly people.

Aromatherapy is the practice of using naturally extracted material from plants to create scents that can influence the body and mind. It’s the therapeutic use of scents to change moods, a practice that dates back many centuries. While it’s important to know what aromatherapy can and cannot do, it does seem to have a positive effect on the mind and can have an impact on the body. Aromatherapy benefits can come in several ways, such as via diffuser, inhaling scents via sachets or scented candles, scented massage oils and more.

Here is a list of popular and effective aromas that may help elderly people boost their moods, improve their focus or relax them when needed:

Several scents have been linked to creating a more positive mood, invigorating the mind and bringing in feelings of happiness, joy, and pleasure. Many of the scents are linked to food, which shows there may be a connection between the stomach and a good mood.

Here are a few aromas that may boost the mood of an elderly person:

• Geranium
• Frankincense
• Ginger
• Grapefruit
• Juniper
• Cinnamon
• Marjoram
• Bitter orange
• Rose
• Vanilla
• Ylang ylang

Seniors may experience difficulty concentrating or struggle with focus from time to time. These aromatherapy scents for elderly people may help clear away some of the mental fog and improve focus and clarity:

• Citronella
• Clove
• Cypress
• Fennel
• Lemon
• Nutmeg
• Peppermint
• Rosemary
• Thyme

Everyone feels stress and anxiety from time to time, so it’s a good idea to turn to some aromatherapy to regain feelings of peace, relaxation and rest. Here are a few scents that can reduce stress:

• Angelica root
• Bergamot
• Cardamom
• Roman chamomile
• Clary Sage
• Jasmine
• Lavender
• Sandalwood

Be aware that there are many claims out there about aromatherapy benefits for certain physical ailments like cold sores, skin conditions, respiratory ailments, sprains, muscle aches and much more. Family caregivers should know that there are no real scientific studies to support these claims. Before using any kind of topical application, family caregivers should check with their elderly loved one’s doctor to make sure that there are no health issues or problems that may be complicated by use.

Scents and aromatherapy for elderly loved ones are a fine way to create a nice atmosphere for a senior relative that may be facing lots of stress and anxiety. Scents are powerful triggers for a person’s mood, and choosing the right one may have a very positive effect on an elderly relative.
Source: https://draxe.com/what-is-aromatherapy/
https://www.pureinsideout.com/essential-oils-list-benefits.html
If you or an aging loved one are considering Elderly Care Services in Whittier CA, please contact the caring staff at 1Heart Caregiver Services today.