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Using Essential Oils for Dementia Patients

Written on . Posted in Autism, Dementia, Did You Know?, Multisensory, Sensory Diet, Sensory Room, Sensory Solutions


Using essential oils for dementia has become common, and its practice can be traced back to roots in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine. Boasting an abundance of benefits with clear healing properties, the benefits of aromatherapy for dementia have recently come to light.   

Indeed, aromatherapy has been proven to soothe and lessen a range of dementia symptoms, aiding everything from quality of life to behavior, cognitive function, and even memory. Read on to discover the best essential oils for dementia and how to use them to create the perfect dementia-friendly environment.


What Is Aromatherapy, And How Can I Practice It?


Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils distilled from different plants to soothe and manage a variety of physical and psychological ailments, from anxiety to excessive pain. Essential oils are most commonly applied via inhalation or contact with the skin (although read the label carefully to check it is safe to do so. The best practice is to use a carrier oil, such as sesame or jojoba oil). They can also be consumed through food or tea and added to baths.

Inhalation is undoubtedly the most common way to practice aromatherapy. To get started, you will need a diffuser that disperses oil into the air. There are different types of diffusers to choose from; for example, a portable diffuser is ideal for use in multiple locations. On the other hand, our large sensory room aromatherapy bundle suits places where aromatherapy will consistently be practiced. For even larger sites, aroma generators ensure a desired level of aroma is circulated at all times. Look out for aromatherapy kits that include both the diffuser and a range of essential oils to try. 


How Can Aromatherapy Help Dementia?


Aromatherapy is a fantastic indoor activity for dementia patients, easing a multitude of dementia symptoms. Aromatherapy may help to:

  • Reduce agitation

According to some research, aromatherapy can be used to relax aggressive and agitated behavior. The molecules within the oils travel to the brain, impacting the amygdala, the brain’s emotional center, which means they can be useful in calming someone with dementia.

  • Tackle insomnia

Aromatherapy may help insomnia or other sleep disorders by activating brain chemicals which play a part in controlling sleep.

  • Target memory loss

Memory loss and the subsequent confusion it can cause is, of course, one of the key issues dementia patients face. Due to the way our brains process scents, with the nose's smell receptors communicating with and stimulating parts of the brain that store memories, aromatherapy has proven to impact memory recall significantly. This has caused an increase in the use of aromatherapy for dementia and essential oils for elderly dementia patients specifically.

  • Combat anxiety and depression

Aromatherapy has been used to boost mood by temporarily increasing the brain’s serotonin release. With research proving aromatherapy possesses little to no side effects, the use of essential oils for dementia can make a great, non-pharmacological alternative to other medication.


More general benefits of aromatherapy include:

  • Sinus clearing

As a more general benefit, some oils may relieve uncomfortable symptoms such as inflammation, congestion and coughs in patients.

  • Pain management

Studies have found that aromatherapy can reduce pain and soothe sore joints, which may help to ease distress in dementia patients along with other individuals.


What Are the Best Essential Oils For Dementia?

One of the key points to remember with aromatherapy is that different oils have different purposes. As a result, choosing the right oils to target the specific symptoms you're trying to alleviate is key. So, whether you’re trying to soothe anxiety or boost memory, you need to keep this in mind.

The two most universally effective essential oils for dementia are undoubtedly lavender and lemon. Both oils have calming properties that aid anxiety and agitation, increasing sleep quality and decreasing uncontrolled movement.

While lavender and lemon are the two of the most-used essential oils for dementia, a variety of oils are helpful in the battle against this condition. These are as follows:

  • Lavender: Incredibly calming, lavender is super effective in balancing and regulating emotions and mood, as well as for promoting sleep at night-time, and is therefore frequently used to combat depression and insomnia.
  • Lemon: Also notable for its calming properties, lemon is often utilized for battling anxiety and insomnia.
  • Peppermint: As one of the best essential oils for dementia, peppermint has been shown to improve memory, stimulate the mind, and calm nerves. Peppermint can also positively impact appetite, making it a particularly helpful essential oil for elderly dementia patients.
  • Rosemary: Stimulating for both the body and the mind, rosemary uplifts and improves cognitive performance and has been proven to boost memory.
  • Bergamot: Mood boosting and balancing, the calming effect of bergamot treats stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia, all side-effects dementia patients may experience.
  • Ylang Ylang: Primarily used for its relaxing properties, Ylang Ylang is incredibly useful at relieving stress, making it a good aromatherapy oil for dementia patients.


How to Be Safe When Using Essential Oils for Dementia


When used incorrectly, aromatherapy can be dangerous, so ensure you:

  • Never let undiluted oil come into direct contact with skin; ensure that only oils made explicitly for skin contact are used as such.

  • Consult with a doctor before introducing aromatherapy for dementia to confirm that your patients will not experience any issues with the medications they're currently taking.

When using aromatherapy for dementia, you should consider a few additional factors:

  • Due to their strength, essential oils can cause headaches, which some dementia patients will be unable to explain when they occur; be sure to keep this in mind when setting the strength of your aroma and watch out for signs of distress.

  • Scents trigger memories, and this can cause confusion or upset for dementia patients. Be aware of this when introducing new scents; observe the individual's reactions and stop treatment if necessary.

  • Not all oils are relaxing; some are physically stimulating. Avoid stimulating scents if agitation is a problem you are addressing in your dementia patient.


Ultimately, while research is still ongoing into the effectiveness of aromatherapy for alleviating symptoms of dementia, the potential benefits of essential oils are clear to see.

Check out the aromatherapy products we offer, such as our popular Sensory Room Aromatherapy Bundle. Also, don’t forget to keep reading our sensory blog for more information on helping patients with dementia, including the use of multisensory rooms for dementia, which you can combine with aromatherapy for fantastic results.


Make essential oils a scent-sational tool for your patients with dementia. Please contact us with questions or for further information.