Selfcare Averts Professional Caregiver Burnout

By Caryn Gehlmann

This month we’re focusing on caregivers and how they can care for themselves as they care for others. Caregiving is a very demanding job and many people experience professional caregiver burnout after only a few years. Yet our friend, Judy Wolgamot, is the epitome of a caregiver who, after decades of work in hospice caring for others, still manages to take care of herself. She told me that using essential oils is one of the reasons, even though she’s well into her seventh decade, that she’s still going strong! Judy is an aromatherapy blender, who is constantly on the lookout for ways to use essential oils to show kindness to others, from a 103-year-old client to a 6-year-old great-grandchild! Enjoy our interview below.

Tell us a little about your background.

I’m 77 years old and I’m still a caregiver! I’ve been a caregiver for over 30 years. That part of my life began when I was caring for my father-in-law before his death. I got to know the hospice nurses and I decided to do hospice work as well. For many years I ran a foster care home with a focus on hospice patients.

Wow! That could have been the perfect recipe for professional caregiver burnout! Please, tell us how were you introduced to essential oils?

I was first introduced to lavender essential oil working with the hospice nurses. We found that diffusing lavender and mixing it in lotion to massage hands and feet really helped calm and comfort our patients. A few years ago I was introduced to essential 3 by my long-time friend, Denise Bresg. I got to know Caryn and I fell in love with many of e3’s therapeutic blends and products. They’ve helped me personally to remember to make time for self-care, which helps me stay strong and peaceful in my caregiving work.

You’re known for your salves…how do you incorporate essential oils into them?

I began making all-natural salves, some of them using organic CBD oil. I started incorporating lavender oil into my recipes and then went on to use other essential oils and blends depending on the type of salve. I found these salves to be particularly helpful for patients with arthritis.

How has aromatherapy helped your entire family, both young and old?

Essential oils can be tailored to any age group! I have a 6-year-old great-granddaughter who can get hyper at times and I’ve found e3’s Be Calm blended with a little lotion helps calm her down. My daughter-in-law uses e3’s Breathe Easy to help with seasonal allergies and we all like to use Cold & Sinus and Protection blends in the winter to help us stay healthy, especially when we’re traveling! As I mentioned earlier, I’ve found aromatherapy to offer comfort to the elderly. I have a patient that is 103 that benefits from calming essential oils!

Do you have any personal favorite blends or recipes you’d like to share?

I haven’t mentioned e3’s Bruise & Scar blend yet, but this blend helped my scar heal nicely after knee surgery. My surgeon couldn’t believe how quickly it healed! I also like e3’s insect repellent essential oil recipe. Every summer I made a spray bottle we can use to keep the bugs away. Living out in the country, all-natural insect repellent comes in handy!

Thank you Judy for sharing with us all the different ways caregivers can use aromatherapy to avoid professional caregiver burnout and spread kindness to others, as they make time to take care of themselves. To receive more suggestions on how to incorporate aromatherapy in your life, sign-up for our newsletter and you’ll get 20% off your first order.