Hospice
How e3 Partners with You
For over a decade, our staff of trained Clinical Aromatherapists and healthcare professionals has partnered with hospice organizations. We can assist you in the selection of essential oils, the development of policies and procedures, and training for your staff on safe, effective application methods. Our goal is to help you utilize aromatherapy as a safe, gentle and effective way to bring comfort to your patients and their families.
Learn more below or contact us to set-up an initial consultation.
Aromatherapy Benefits
In a hospice setting the primary goal is to bring comfort to the patient and family members during this time of transition. Many hospices report remarkable improvements in the quality of life for patients, caregivers, and staff.
The benefits include:
- A calm peaceful environment – reducing stress for patients, family and caregivers
- Relief from physical and emotional symptoms such as nausea, pain, depression and anxiety
- Promotion of peaceful interactions with staff by calming anxious or agitated patients
- Stress relief for staff leading to increased job satisfaction, better performance and fewer health problems
- Less unpleasant odors
- Involvement of caregivers and family members in connecting with loved one in a caring, helpful manner
Safe Implementation Guidelines
E3 has partnered with many hospice organizations to design a comprehensive aromatherapy program. We’ve seen when hospice providers explore aromatherapy they face a series of important considerations, such as:
1. Choosing essential oils that will provide comfort and support to the patient, family and staff.
The first step is to use only certified, therapeutic-quality essential oils. E3 utilizes independent lab testing Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) to certify essential oils are free of pesticides and synthetics, are unadulterated, and the chemical constituents are in the range necessary to be effective for intended use. The next step is to identify specific concerns, for both patients and staff, that can be enhanced by aromatherapy. For example, if nausea is a common concern a hospice may choose to use ginger and/or peppermint essential oils to minimize symptoms.
2. Creating standardized policies and procedures on the appropriate use of aromatherapy for hospice.
Standardized policies and procedures are important to ensure essential oils are used safely and effectively. Each essential oil requires a separate protocol specifying the recommended level of dilution, the dosage, and the application method. It also requires that the patient’s health history, current conditions, prescriptions, etc. are taken into consideration. Having well-documented protocols empower the staff to make knowledgeable decisions on the use of essential oils for each patient.
3. Educating and training staff on safe application methods.
There is a great deal of misinformation circulating on the internet regarding the use of essential oils that is both unnecessary and unsafe. Therefore, it is extremely important that staff receive training so they know which essential oils are safe to use, understand the chemistry of these essential oils, and know how to administer them in a safe manner. The most common application methods in the hospice setting are inhalation, diffusion, gentle/comfort care, massage, and wound care.
Please see Specific Recommendations below for our list of the essential oils and blends most commonly used in hospice settings.
Contact Us
E3 is happy to share their experience and research to assist you in the selection of essential oils. We can also partner with you in the development of policies and procedures and the training of your staff on safe, effective application methods. Contact us to set-up an initial consultation.
In our research and experience working with hospice programs, we’ve identified the essential oils and/or blends hospice programs prefer to use to comfort patients, caregivers and families. This list is meant as a starting point, as there are many more essential oils and blends available to you.
RECOMMENDED SYNERGY BLENDS
BREATHE EASY
Designed to support comfortable, relaxed breathing.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
If the patient is congested, you can use a spritzer on their bedding or add 1-3 drops to a tissue or cotton ball and tuck it near their head. For COPD, mix 12 drops in 1 ounce of fractionated coconut oil or fragrance-free natural lotion and then massage on the chest.
SOLACE
This blend was designed to help patients cope with physical aches and pains as well as emotional distress.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Mix 12 drops in 1 ounce of fractionated coconut oil or fragrance-free natural lotion and then massage the patient’s back or feet. If the patient prefers not to be touched, it can also be used with a diffuser to promote a calming environment in the room.
PEACE
This blend was designed to give patients and family members who are anxious and agitated a sense of inner calm and stillness.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Mix 12 drops in 1 ounce of fractionated coconut oil or fragrance-free natural lotion and then massage behind ears, or on hands, fingers, arms, feet and legs. It can also be used with a diffuser to promote a peaceful environment in the room.
TRANSITION
Many patients and family members have a difficult time transitioning to hospice care. This blend was designed to promote ease during a time of emotional upheaval.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Mix 12 drops in 1 ounce of fractionated coconut oil or fragrance-free natural lotion and then massage on the patient’s back or feet. It can also be used with a diffuser to promote a calming environment in the room.
SLEEPTIME
This blend was designed to help patients relax so they can enjoy a restful sleep.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Mix 12 drops in 1 ounce of fractionated coconut oil or fragrance-free natural lotion and then massage on the patient’s back or feet. If the patient prefers not to be touched, it can also be used with a diffuser to promote a restful environment in the room.
RECOMMENDED SINGLE ESSENTIAL OILS
CHAMOMILE, ROMAN
Chamomile helps patients relax so they can enjoy a restful sleep.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Mix 12 drops in 1 ounce of fractionated coconut oil or fragrance-free natural lotion and then massage the patient’s back or feet. If the patient prefers not to be touched, it can also be used with a diffuser to promote a restful environment in the room.
LAVENDER, FRENCH
If a patient is feeling particularly anxious lavender oil works wonders to help calm and ease emotional discomfort.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Add to a diffuser or spritzer or add 1-3 drops to a tissue or cotton ball and tuck it in the pillow case near the patient’s head. Lavender mixed with Grapefruit is a nice combination for a diffuser for a scent most staff and patients find pleasant.
ROSE ABSOLUTE DILUTE
If a patient is feeling particularly anxious and doesn’t like the smell of lavender, rose can help calm and ease emotional discomfort.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Add to a diffuser or spritzer or add 1-3 drops to a tissue or cotton ball and tuck it in the pillow case near the patient’s head.
Articles
7 Reasons Not to “Give Your Client Whatever They Want” at End of Life
Tracy Walton, educator, and specialist in massage therapy and cancer care.
(Professional and ethical considerations for end of life care)
Aromatherapy: How Essential Are Those Oils?
Penn Medicine News Blog
(Using essential oils as a complementary modality to manage patient symptoms of anxiety, stress & nausea.)
Research
Protective effect of lavender oil on scopolamine induced cognitive deficits in mice and H2O2 induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 193, 4 December 2016, Pages 408–415
(Lavender Essential Oil & Alzheimer’s)
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