Aromatherapy In Dementia

1767 Words8 Pages
Abstract
Agitation is an often seen behavior in patients with various forms of dementia that can take a straining role on both the patients and their caregivers. Tradition pharmacological treatments are shown to be effective in the treatment of these behaviors but at the expense of many varying adverse side effects. Aromatherapy has successfully been used as a complimentary therapy in other diseases such as cancer. There has been multiple recent research studies performed that concluded aromatherapy is an effective and popular complimentary treatment for reducing behavioral agitation in dementia. Most of the research supports a need for further, larger research studies because of the effectiveness, relative low cost and ease of aromatherapy. Through the review of research articles and journals, I intend to present the benefits and effectiveness of using aromatherapy in reducing agitation and improving cognitive function in dementia patients.

DEMENTIA
Dementia is a broad term used to describe many different diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, which are the result of destroyed brain tissue (Lerner, 2012). This destruction often leads to a decline in cognitive function that leads to issues with physical, social and occupational functioning. Dementia can affect adults of all ages and can often be confused with delirium. Delirium is a temporary decline in function of the brain that can be restored when the underlying cause is treated. Dementia is a progressive, non-curable process that is detrimental to both the person suffering from the disease but also the care takers. It is important as a nurse to be familiar with dementia and also to be educated on the different treatments used as many of these patients end up not only in nursing homes but also in the emergency department and medical-surgical floors of local hospitals. There is a growing
Open Document