Anyone using aromatherapy in dementia care?

Hi, @agh Just my personal experience here. My wife was highly sensitive to smells and they tended to agitate her. She did not react to aromas as she used to and like most people did.

Strength, Courage, & Peace

I wondered about this as well and did some checking. Then I talked to our neurologist. She said that it might assist with relaxing but has no effect on symptoms of dementia/Alzheimers. I also asked her about light therapy. No large studies support the notion that this helps. I was disappointed. We all hope to find things that will help our loved ones. One day at a time...

Hi to all of you caring for someone who has a form of dementia. This disease affects everyone a little differently in the sense of what’s helpful for one person may not be for another.
I have cared for many people & now my dear Mom. From my experience I would say to try anything you learn about “that’s safe” & has worked for others. Lavender is soothing and so are the smells from home baked goods & meals that stir fond memories. My Mom was not into music but now MUSIC is what calms her down, makes her feel secure and gives her much JOY. Music from her earlier years & hymns. This is scientifically proven. Please try it. I just purchased a little black & white church from the ALZ store that plays 22 hymns.
Whatever you do that gives COMFORT to your loved ones - is a Blessing to them.

Agree! Whatever gives comfort in your situation is certainly worth doing.

Hey there!
My mom has Alz and I find that music is the best medicine for her. I play all her favorites and it just takes her back to joyful times.
Something else that works wonders… I put together a photo album of her life. Close to 100 pics, 8 1/2 X 11, starting from her youthful days to now. The pictures give her such joy.
Even tho she can not remember everyone, she sees herself in the pictures and it reassures her that she has a family that loves her.
All the best🙏🏻

@kensiejames what wonderful ideas! I did something similar to your photo album when my mom turned 98. It was fun to make!
Becky

Wow, YES! I absolutely use essential oils, along with calming music and anything and everything I can think of to create a calmer mind for both of us. I've bought a couple of books which were recommended by a friend who is super knowledgeable about using these oils along with several diffusers to use around the house. Keep in mind, essential oils are versatile, you can use them different ways from diffusing, adding a few drops to your bath, create a massage oil - with a carrier oil, and you can even use "some" in cooking. I've also read that you can put a drop of lavender on the pillowcase to help with sleep.
Do a little research before you start using, ask lots of questions. If you have pets, research if the oil you're thinking of using is pet friendly. Sidenote - some oils are used with pets, even horses. I loaned my veterinarian a diffuser and a handful of oils once upon a time. She loved them.
Also, make sure you buy a good quality oil. Never buy any oils in clear glass.
I'm diffusing Lemon Verbena today, it's a multi-purpose oil. Under medicinal uses lists: Emotional balance, nervousness, relaxation, sedative, stress and a whole bunch of other uses. I use Lavender a lot also and there's one called Peace and Calming that is my go to when I need the big guns, so to speak.
I hope this helps.
Check out these two books: "Essential Oils Natural Remedies" by Althea Press (The Complete A-Z Reference of Essential Oils for Health and Healing) and "The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy" by Valerie Ann Worwood I've got other books, but these are my personal favorites. BTW - you can often pick up these books used.

Thank you for checking and sharing. I couldn't find anything either, other than the calming effects of certain smells.

Thank you for this information! Some I had thought of (pets - after causing a serious problem for a pup with peppermint). I head a speaker's podcast on this topic - when I find my notes I'll share back on this forum.

Just thought of an addition to this discussion - save your empty bottles in case you want to make up your own blends. The books I told about above have recipes for that!