How to get started with Aromatherapy for Seniors
12
65
Scent is linked to emotion and memory. It may unlock hidden memories, relieve stress, alleviate minor health problems and trigger buried emotions.
In this article we cover:
- Massage Aromatherapy
- Safety Factors to Consider
- How to Mix a Blend for Relaxation Massage
- How to store your Essential Oils
Members-Only
How to get started with Aromatherapy for Seniors
Available with Full Membership. Unlock to access:
12 months of unlimited access - no recurring monthly fees
Thousands of ready-to-use activities - updated every week
Custom activity calendars and planning tools
Editable templates
Active professional member forum
Full Membership - $74.95 USD per year
No auto-renewals · 30-day money-back guarantee
Comments
12
Log In
to comment
Yes, there are contraindications and there are three things that should be done:
1) Check each E.O. for contraindications with each resident's meds.
2)Know the E.O. effects thoroughly.
3) Check allergy to the blend (not the E.O. neat) on the inside of the elbow.
There is no one E.O. fits all but typically the safest is Lavender(Lavandula angustifolia), not Lavendin ( Lavandula intermedia). The first has the most medicinal constituents (ie relaxation) whereas Lavandin is actually a stimulant.
Hi Cheryl
Thank you for this information
I too am studying this area in my spare time. What I find worrying is that this seems to be a new fad in holistic care especially residential setting with older people. My worry is that there are serious implications which may complicate health conditions such as 'juniper' is suggested for urine infections, yet it is also suggested that people with kidney issues and older people should not use it. Grapefruit is another issue for people with heart conditions.
There is however a great opportunity to discuss the potential to bringing in holistic herbalists fully into health & social care network alongside OT's, psychologists who have themselves started their own professions on theoretical & user-based evidence.
i have just completed cert iv aromatherapy and i did it through
the australian institute of applied sciences. i did it online or you can do at the campus in brisbane or sydney. its a very full on course not for the weak hearted but very good to teach what you need to know.
Hi Solonge can you recommend an Aromatherapy course. I am interested in this area but would need to know a lot more. kate
Hi Kate, I did my Aromatherapy course 14 years ago and unfortunately the college no longer exists. It was a private college and I did it in two years at the cost of $1600 ($800 per year).
I don't know if things have changed since then, but at the time I was very disappointed that the course did not make an iota of difference to my hourly rates. It remained the same although I got a few more hours to do it.
I believe that you can do it at TAFE College all over Australia these days and of course there are many private colleges offering it.
It is worth asking your manager if your hourly rate would improve and if not if the facility can help you with the cost.
I hope this can you you.
Where is the best place to buy these oils and do they come with MSDS
Our OHS is very strict
Hi Lorraine, there are various companies online which sells essential oils and also the 'carrier' oil (to mix with essential oils). I used to buy mine from a company called http://www.ahimsaoils.com.au/. Look online for more companies.
I use this a lot with Hospital residents who are very ill or depressed, they respond in such a positive way, even nursing staff, visitors, doctors who are in the building including residents are attracted to this activity simply because it puts a lovely aroma in the building where I am working with the residents. Helen
I burn Lavender and Lemon essential oil in the entrance of our unit as it has a claming effect on anyone who enters, great for sundowning as well. Creams I make are childs mild blend to improve skin integrity and relaxation.
Aromatherapy is one of the best therapeutic treatments that have great effects working in the community and with the aged the results are excellent. This article is a great reminder to watch out for contra-indicaters before application especially for those who are just starting out.
As a new RAO this is excellent information for me to understand some of the dos and don'ts. I find that this is one area that can be harmful to the residents if you are not careful and this article gives me some great guidelines