Aromatherapy for elderly clients

[traceym77]

Hi there

I was wondering if someone could give me some advice please. I have been practising aromatherapy over the past few years but haven't been doing it as much over the last year (still got my insurance etc for it). I have been asked to visit an elderly care home to do some treatments on the patients, a few of who have dementia (nurse in charge knows I haven't been doing it much lately). As it's been a while and never actually carried out treatments on the elderly, I was wondering if anyone can give me some pointers.

On my first session I was thinking of spending about a half hour with each patient, talking to them and taking some notes. Asking them what kind of smells they liked, what health niggles they had etc and just trying to get to know them a bit. I thought I could let them smell a few of the essential oils to see what they liked. I thought of asking which parts of their body they liked being massaged hands, arms, feet, back etc. Then offering them a 15 min massage on either hands or feet to start off with. To begin with I was going to mix an oil blend and lotion blend with the oil of their choice using about 2 drops of oil to the 10mls of carrier. I would only use light effleurage strokes. Does this sound ok?

In the past I have mostly given back massages, full body etc so always use my massage couch however realise this not be ideal in this situation. What would you think would be the best method to massage - just allow them to sit in a chair while doing hand/arm massage, foot/leg massage? Should I have them use a foot stool etc. Not sure what kind of room I will be in etc so just want to be fully prepared. If later on and perhaps get regular clients and they have specific aches, knees/hips etc what is the best way to have them situated, I realise a massage couch may be a bit difficult for getting on and off.

Also with regards to payment, the nurse had given me a suggestion of £12 a session which I am happy to go with, if I did a 15 min treatment and chatted for 15 mins as a consultation would this still be charged at that price do you think? I am not sure if half hour massages may be too long for some patients so don't really know how best to price this.

I would be really grateful for any advice.

Thanks in advance
Tracey

[SooticasDream]

I've not worked with the elderly yet.

My tutor did say that hand massages are really good for older clients as it prevents the need to undress or get onto a table, plus if they do get upset it's very quick to stop the treatment. I think it would be a good introduction to aroma for them, don't you think?
As long as the oils get on their skin, it should make a difference & help.

Sorry I can't give any decent advice....

Let us know how it goes, it would be interesting to see what you found

[traceym77]

arrggh, tried to answer this twice and have typed lots in but somehow disappeared. Very tired now so will get back tomorrow. Thank you for replying though x

[jeannie]

Hello Tracey, I do this type of thing on a voluntary basis for people with mental health problems/depression etc., There are also a number of older people who attend and I find they just love a gentle hand massage, also seated Reiki. At the moment I only use two oils for the hand massage Rose and Lavender which have been well received. Good luck let me know how you get on.

[Finalshine]

May be a little late, but oils like black pepper or rosemary may help with the elderly. The black pepper is very good at boosting circulation and rosemary would help with any muscle or joint aches.