Older people will certainly benefit from aromatherapy. However, as with children, you will want to take some extra precautions. For one thing, choose the essential oils carefully. If the person has any specific illnesses or conditions, double check and be positive that any oil you choose won’t aggravate the problem or cause other negative reactions. As with the very young, you will want to increase the dilution ratio to the carrier oils.

The consensus is about a 50% milder mixture. Give the person a gentle massage to help with aches, pains, and if they are confined to bed, it will offer some much needed stimulation. When we don’t use our muscles they quickly lose tone and don’t want to work anymore. Massage gives them a bit of a workout and stimulates the skin as well.

In 1996 a study was conducted at the Oldham Cottage Hospital in England. Treatment providers placed one drop of lavender oil on the pillows used by elderly patients. Careful records were kept daily on each patient in the study. At the end of one week all patients receiving the lavender oil showed at least 50% improvement in the following areas: improved rest and relaxation, better sleep, and more alert and less confused when they were awake.

Elderly care facilities worldwide are incorporating aromatherapy into their treatment models in greater numbers. Besides massage, the oil is often dispersed into the air by diffusers. Again any results are carefully documented, and are generally favorable. Lavender is the preferred oil for relaxation and if stimulation is prescribed the essence of orange is often used. Some facilities are even recommending that fragrant plants be placed in the rooms of some patients. Jasmine, rose, and lavender are popular choices. Be sure to find out if the patient is allergic to any of these before you bring them to the room.