Complementary Therapies in Aged Care

Chapter 16: Complementary Therapies in Aged Care

Overview:

• Describes the fundamental objectives of aromatherapy
• Explains the Cedars education and professional development philosophy
• Lists documentation and care planning guidelines
• Provides examples of forms and layouts of aromatherapy sheets for both assessment and consent
• Case studies and examples of records are provided to aid explanations

Description:

This chapter offers nurses an alternative for managing the challenging behaviours of clients with dementia. It provides a comprehensive coverage of the CT policy and documentation used at The Cedars. The case report of the use of aromatherapy in the care of one wandering and agitated resident makes very interesting reading.


Topics:

• Introduction
• Why aromatherapy?
• The aromatherapy committee
• The cedars education and professional development philosophy
• Aromatherapy policy and procedure
• Aromatherapy program policy statement and objective
• Documentation and care planning (in order of procedure)
• Consent
• Case study
• Summary
• Acknowledgments
• References

Speaker / Author:

Suzanne Thomson

RN, Bachelor of Health Management (UNE). Director of Nursing and Aged Care Services, The Cedars Nursing Home, A Project of the Frank Whiddon Masonic Homes of New South Wales.

Suzanne completed general nurse training at Tamworth Base Hospital, New South Wales, in 1982. Since then she has worked in the acute and aged care sectors in public and private facilities in Queensland and New South Wales, gaining a diverse range of clinical and management experience. Since entering the nursing home industry in 1996, Suzanne has become passionate about issues that impact on aged care, and is committed to elevating the profile of nursing homes in general. She is equally committed to promoting professional practice in nursing homes to overturn the negative stigma associated with aged care nursing. She is resolute in her belief that staff empowerment is fundamental to its achievement. At present, Suzanne is a master’s candidate (honours) at the University of New England, researching teamwork and organisational structures in residential care facilities.

Professional Reviews: