5 Reasons Aromatherapy is Essential to Hospice & Palliative Care
1. Emotional Support
Learning of a terminal illness or deteriorating health is never easy. Many emotions come up during this part of the journey. Families are deeply impacted, also. Essential oils are embraced for their gentle yet profound way of impacting the emotional center of the brain by simply inhaling them. Aromatherapy can soften challenging moments, ease anxiety and stress and promote a little joy during difficult times. Better connection and communication can be experienced, which is invaluable during these transitions.
2. Physical Relief
Discomfort and pain are expected during end-of-life transition. Although medications are helpful, over-medication leads to unpleasant side-effects which make things harder for patient and family. Everyone deserves to transition with dignity and aromatherapy can soften the impact of traditional pain management. Essential oils have proven muscle relaxing, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and other soothing properties which can ease aches, pains, and other discomfort. Aromatherapy is able to support the patient’s comfort and reduce the need for traditional medications. With quality clinical training, aromatherapy can even reduce the cost burden on Hospice providers.
3. Better Rest & Less Anxiety
Quality rest directly correlates to quality of life. The over-use of anxiety and sleep medications can create major challenges for the patient, impacting their days and the little time left with loved-ones. Aromatherapy is well researched on the topic of sleep. Essential oils easily support better rest without the side effects. Their calming effects are also good for day-time anxiety and stress relief also. Not only does the patient benefit, but families can get better rest and relief during these transitions as well.
4. Spiritual Significance
An important role for Hospice is to support the spiritual health of the patient during transition. Aromatic plants have played an active role in the spiritual life of many cultures. The calming and meditative oils were used to help us transition from one life to the next and their documented use is among all religious texts of the world. Often a chaplain, dedicated death doula or other spiritual support is provided for families and their loved ones. They can use aromatherapy to help patients and families find spiritual comfort in ways that go beyond words.
5. Supportive for Caregivers & Staff
Caregiving is some of the most challenging and deeply emotional work to do. Being so intimately involved in the transition process impacts those providing the care. Staff need ways to manage what they must interface with on a daily basis. Aromatherapy is not only a powerful way to destress, it can help perk us up and stay focused. Aromatherapy is fast acting and easy to do and most people enjoy it. Essential oils are scientifically proven to lower cortisol levels, which when chronically high lead to all sorts of health conditions including lower immunity, poor sleep and even weight gain. Utilizing aromatherapy at work can even promote better collaboration among teams. And, when staff feel better, they provide better care. It’s a win-win for everyone.
Evidence-based aromatherapy is part of quality care and also a wise business move.
There is an abundance of data supporting many other benefits aromatherapy offers as a supportive adjunct to Hospice and Palliative Care. AromaWell is dedicated to staying on top of the research so we can continue to help ethical companies support our most vulnerable populations. We provide a smart, easy roadmap for companies and caregivers and clinical quality products to support patients, family and staff.
Losing a loved-one is never easy. Sometimes the process of transitioning and letting go is the hardest part. Aromatherapy is just one way to support this process. Remember, although our loved-one is leaving our physical world, their legacy is everlasting. We can always call them back into our life through the memories we hold and cherish and celebrate their life here on Earth.
A Note from our Founder:
“I recall my first Hospice experience. I was 19 years old and my mother had reached the end of her 7-year battle with cancer. People often ask me how I “got into the business” of natural health and wellness. For me the answer is clear. Watching my mother suffer physically, emotionally and spiritually was life-changing and inspired my own journey in many ways.
The Hospice staff caring for my other during her final days was wonderful. These nurses are well-trained to help families cope with losing a loved one. Yet the environment was cold and sterile and even the smell was unpleasant. We spent long hours and even days waiting for her to pass. Sadness, anger and grief ensued. Losing a loved one is never easy and I can only now imagine how it might have been better for me as a young woman, to have had some type of relief.
Not long after my mother passed, the natural world of health and wellness began to find me. It helped me tremendously with my grief and I can’t help but wonder if she was a part of that. One thing that occurred to me was was more that could be done to make families and their loved ones comfortable during transitions. The magic aromatherapy brings to the body, mind and soul could provide much needed comfort and healing during even the most troubling times. I believe every Hospice should make aromatherapy available to both patient and their families and hope more families find relief when they cross this bridge.”
In Health,
Share your #aromaticlife with us!
AromaWell essential oils and related products to the general consumer and professionals in the health care field. The contents of our website, blog, social media, and print materials have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Our content is for the purpose of educating our customers and is not intended to diagnose, cure, prevent or treat any disease or illness
