Elderly Demented Patients: Aromatherapy Complementary to Psychopharmacotherapy Psychological Disorders and BPSD Behavior

Behavioral and psycological symptoms of dementia, (BPSD) are one of the major problem for families, doctors and for patients the same.

In absence of the universally recognized guidelines, the standard treatment involves the use of psychotropic drugs (typical / atypical neuroleptics, antidepressants, benzodiazepines) that are often not very effective and involve a series of side effects such as sedation, slowing down -motor with impaired cognitive performance, cardiac electrical changes and extrapyramidal syndrome. In view of this, it is important to find an alternative methods of treatment, which can reduce psychological and behavioral disorders and at the same time the use of psychotropic drugs.

As for aromatherapy, ie the therapeutic use of natural essential oils, there is a decades-long clinical experience, especially in France, which is accompanied by increasing scientific evidence with considerable increase in publications in its use in psychological disorders and dementia behavior related. Based on the scientific publications available, it was therefore decided to use two essential oils (Citrus sinensis, Lavandula angustifolia) in environmental diffusion in the Geriatric Department of the Clinica Luganese Moncucco.

Inclusion criteria

• patients admitted to the acute geriatric ward;
• patients with a known diagnosis of dementia associated with BPSD or diagnosis performed during hospitalization.

Exclusion criteria

• patients with alcohol-based dementia;
• patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) - section 4 -;
• patients with language barrier;
• patients already being treated with aromatherapy.