Fragrances against anxiety and restlessness in older people

How targeted room fragrances provide emotional relief in care settings

Anxiety, restlessness, and inner tension are common symptoms of aging – whether due to dementia, illness, pain, or simply a change in living conditions. Many older people, especially in nursing facilities and assisted living settings, are under emotional stress. What is often underestimated is that fragrances can help provide gentle support – without medication and without side effects.

Professional room fragrances can do more than just provide a pleasant scent in such situations: They have a calming effect, convey security, and contribute to a more stable emotional state.

Anxiety in old age – an underestimated topic

Many older people live with fears – such as loss of control, loneliness, disorientation, or physical deterioration. Nighttime restlessness, uncertainty, or inner tension are also part of everyday life in care facilities. Especially in residents with dementia, this feeling often occurs in a diffuse but intense way – and is difficult to express verbally.

This is where scents come into play: They act subconsciously, directly on the emotional center of the brain – precisely where language or rational thought no longer applies.

How scents affect the psyche

The sense of smell is directly connected to the limbic system – the part of the brain that processes emotions. Unlike images or words, scents have a direct, direct effect on feelings, memories, and bodily functions such as heart rate or breathing.

A calming scent can:

• Reduce anxiety

• Reduce muscle tension

• Deepen breathing

• Create a feeling of safety and security

• Assist with sleep

• Relieve restlessness and irritability

All this without being stressful or causing side effects.

Which scents help against anxiety and restlessness?

Naturally based, gentle scent profiles with a relaxing effect have proven particularly effective. Examples from professional room fragrances:

• Lavender: arguably the best-known "calming scent." It has an anxiety-relieving, sleep-promoting, and balancing effect. Ideal for residents' rooms or in the evenings.

• Lemon balm: has a calming effect on the nervous system. Often used for nervous restlessness or difficulty falling asleep.

• Rose: conveys warmth, security, and emotional stability—especially helpful for feelings of confusion or loneliness.

• Vanilla: creates a homey feeling, has a gently balancing and soothingly sweet effect.

• Sandalwood: calms, grounds, and slows breathing—good for retreats or baths.

These scents can be released into the room air individually or in harmonious compositions using modern fragrance systems.

Application in Nursing Practice

The effect is most powerful when the fragrance is integrated into everyday life – unobtrusively and continuously. This can be achieved, for example, through:

• Room fragrance with cold misting in residents' rooms or common areas

• Targeted fragrance application in the evening to induce rest

Particularly important: The fragrance should be gentle and barely noticeable. The dosage is adjusted individually, depending on the size of the room and the sensitivity of the residents.

What does practice say?

Nurses regularly report that targeted scenting has noticeable effects – not only on residents, but also on the staff themselves. In a calmer atmosphere, stress levels decrease, communication becomes more relaxed, and relatives also feel more comfortable when they enter the facility.

Some facilities even report less nighttime restlessness and a reduced need for sleeping pills or tranquilizers – a significant benefit in terms of quality of life and nursing ethics.

Conclusion: Gentle help through the nose

Scents aren't a panacea – but they are a powerful tool for influencing emotions and alleviating anxiety. In elderly care, where many people can no longer express their needs in words, a soothing scent can do just that: provide security, relaxation, and calm – all without language.

Professional room fragrance offers care facilities the opportunity to naturally and responsibly strengthen the emotional well-being of their residents.

Curious?

We would be happy to advise you on suitable fragrance concepts for anxiety and restlessness in your facility – customized, transparent, and, if desired, with an on-site trial run.