Essential Oils Program
Using Essential Oils and Aromatherapy in Hospice Care
A safe, natural way to help patients relax
Silverado Hospice is constantly seeking new ways to provide comfort to patients and their families. The Essential Oils Program is one such innovation that has proven to soothe and relax patients. Its roots date back to ancient civilizations, when fragrant oils and scents were often credited as having positive effects on mood and wellbeing.
Today, we understand more about the practice of extracting oil from plants than ever before. In a pilot study to test the effectiveness of essential oils in treating hospice patients, the following effects were observed:
- 31% noticed a reduction in agitation
- 17% noticed healthier skin
- 27% reported an overall boost in comfort and relaxation
Every Silverado Hospice team offers Essential Oils. The therapeutic program gives patients a safe, natural way to calm, soothe and increase circulation while helping to reduce the usage of certain medications. Essential Oils is available at no cost to patients or their families.
Utilizing essential oils for hospice
Essential oil treatments can be applied in a number of ways — as foot rubs, with massages or sprayed around the room. Some oils are more effective aromatically while others are best applied directly to the skin. Lotions, while often used only to moisturize in many methods of care, are also used as an opportunity to provide aromatherapy benefits.
Different oils are used to achieve specific effects. Here are a few of the essential oils and ways they may help:
- Peppermint: Calming, relieves nausea
- Lavender: Calming, encourages sleep
- Lemon: Uplifts mood, relieves stress
- Marjoram: Anti-inflammatory, relieves joint pain
Offerings vary by location. Please contact your local Silverado Hospice branch for specific guarantees and programs.