With almost half a million UK residents living in senior care facilities, this article highlights how the consistency of fragrance, reed diffusers, room sprays, candles, air fresheners and essential oils like lavender scents and many others can transform residents' experiences in their living spaces. Using these certain methods of high quality products to create a welcoming and cosy environment for residents can be really beneficial as there are many positive benefits people can gain from aromatherapy.
Whether people elect to stay in senior living environments or are required to due to health issues, we believe everyone deserves the consistency of a calm experience within their space, scent is a vital role and Scentair fragrances is an effective way of providing that. Alongside design and amenities, studies show that scent is a key factor to be considered when looking to create a welcoming space within a care facility.
How Can Scent Impact the Ambience Within Senior Living Facilities?
If you have ever walked into a medical or care setting and have been greeted by certain scents/unpleasant odors such as the consistency of a distinct clinical-smelling aroma. You might be able to understand how ambience can play a big role within these environments. Air fresheners, essential oils and reed diffusers can help to create an uplifting atmosphere. While clinical smells cannot always be avoided in some settings, when it comes to senior living spaces, certain scents can be used to help change the overall feel of a space. This is vital when creating a suitable environment for residents. Instead of these locations being known for their medical support and care; the main goal is to find the right scent that helps to create a welcoming and calm space that feels homely to residents whilst trying to create a new home for them.
Focusing on a homelike ambience by using products like air fresheners, quality products like that will improve residents' and visitors' mental/physical well-being as a relaxing environment is being ensured by the calming aromas. This is also essential for ensuring a space feels familiar and safe to the resident. Additionally, creating a welcoming atmosphere within senior living facilities helps to create a sense of belonging and community. This is very essential for helping residents bond with their peers, as well as them feeling relaxed as if they were in their own homes.
Scents are a brilliant way of achieving all of these benefits within living spaces, as they are proven to have direct links to moods, emotions and well-being. From having nostalgic aromas that unlock happy memories, to using calming essential oil blends which have a physical relaxation effect, there are many beneficial options to choose from. By choosing a signature aroma like lavender, citrus scents, eucalyptus or even peppermint, residents can start to create a positive bond with their new environment, which will then also transfer positively to their carers and visitors as well.
How Do Air Fresheners Work?
Air fresheners work by releasing a blend of fragrant chemicals into the air, which mask or neutralise unpleasant odours and lead to creating a more pleasant environment. These products often use essential oils or synthetic fragrances that are combined with various delivery mechanisms, such as aerosols, gels, or plug-ins. For example, a plug-in air freshener may use a heat source that gradually evaporates the fragrance, while a spray can release a burst of scent when triggered. Some advanced systems, like those from Scentair, incorporate odour-neutralising agents that chemically interact with odour molecules, therefore eliminating them rather than just covering them up. This dual approach helps to ensure that spaces not only smell fresh but also maintain a clean and inviting atmosphere for residents.
What Types of Fragrances Can Create a Welcoming Atmosphere in Senior Living Facilities?
Finding the ideal scent for care homes is vital for creating spaces that offer a sense of security and creating positive moods by using signature scents.
What scent is welcoming?
Floral aromas are one example of a scent group which is ideal for senior care facilities as they offer a sense of familiarity and help to create a personalised atmosphere. As this fragrance is associated with the outdoors, the power of scent makes it ideal for evoking the memories of residents and also representing a sense of natural healing, therefore helping to create an inviting atmosphere. It is also important to consider how scent plays a role in memory care and dementia treatment. Scent can be used as a therapeutic tool in memory care settings as this helps to evoke positive memories for them and can potentially aid treatment in dementia by using the power of scent.
What scent puts people in a good mood?
Fresh scents are always an ideal option as they can keep spaces feeling calm and clean, as well as neutralise any unwanted smells. A calm and clean space can cause people to feel generally happier overall and have positive effects on their mental health. An example of this is our signature scent fresh linen scent, which is a popular choice due to the overall ambiance it provides, however there are loads of scent options to fit your personal preferences. Alternatively, vibrant citrus blends also have the same impact so a product like our lemon verbena is a great option if that is a particular scent you personally like.
What smell makes people the happiest and the calmest?
It’s also important to consider introducing a mix of methods like calming scents, especially in spaces that are intended for relaxation, such as care facilities or maybe even a home office. A product like our lavender and ylang scent is the perfect example of this. Whatever your favourite scent may be, there are plenty of great smelling options that all use natural ingredients. Calming scents can lead to people feeling happier overall and boosts their general mood. This can help to create a pleasant atmosphere for everyone and also as provides people long time health benefits.
Personalised scent diffusers in private rooms:
A great tip is offering residents the option to have personalised scent diffusers in their rooms that are filled with their favorite scents as this can be beneficial to help elevate specific moods. This provides residents with a personalised touch that makes them feel more at home and cared for. This concept also helps to promote a sense of ownership of their room and allows them to be comforted by their favourite scents. This can be done by using tools such as air fresheners or reed diffusers.
Choosing the right scent for specific rooms:
Choosing the right scent for different rooms in a care home can significantly enhance the atmosphere and well-being of residents in general. In hallways, it is best to opt for neutral and welcoming fragrance, such as fresh linen or mild citrus, this helps to create a pleasant first impression and a sense of overall cleanliness. In living room spaces, it's best to consider comforting and soothing scents such as lavender or vanilla. These scents help to promote relaxation and creates a homely feel. In bathroom spaces it's best to choose a fresh, clean scent like eucalyptus or cucumber as this helps neutralise odors and helps to maintain a crisp, refreshing environment. Lastly, in bedroom spaces it is best to use gentle, calming fragrances such as chamomile or sandalwood as these scents can help to foster a restful atmosphere to induce sleep. Tailoring scents to each space ensures a harmonious and inviting environment throughout a care facility.
What are the best practices for layering different fragrances indoors?
Layering different fragrances indoors can create a complex and pleasing experience when done thoughtfully. To achieve this, start by choosing complementary scents that blend well together, such as pairing a floral aroma like Black Orchid ScentAir Whisper™ HOME fragrance cartridge with a hint of citrus like Tropical Coconut ScentAir Whisper™ HOME fragrance cartridge for a balanced, refreshing environment. Begin with lighter, subtle fragrances in areas where you want a gentle introduction, like hallways or living spaces, and use more intense or specific scents in designated spaces, such as citrus in kitchen spaces or lavender in bedrooms. Ensure that fragrances are introduced gradually to avoid overwhelming the senses as this can be achieved through the use of diffusers or gradual release products. Regularly adjust the intensity and combinations based on feedback and preferences to maintain harmony for everyone in the facility. Lastly, consider the time of day and the activity in each room; for example, calming scents might be more appropriate in the evening, while invigorating fragrances could be suited for morning hours. By carefully layering and adjusting fragrances, you can enhance the ambiance of each space while creating a cohesive and enjoyable indoor atmosphere.
Scented Garden Spaces:
Another great tip and a kind of new concept is creating/enhancing outdoor garden spaces with fragrant plants like lavender, jasmine, or mint, which release natural scents and can help encourage residents to spend time outdoors in a sensory rich environment. This also helps to create memorable experiences for the residents within these outdoor spaces. The right scents can have both physical and mental health benefits, helping to elevate specific moods.
Scents for Specific Needs:
Utilising specific scents to address common issues in care homes, such as using eucalyptus scents such as Eucalyptus Mint ScentAir Whisper™ HOME fragrance cartridge in areas where residents with respiratory issues spend time or chamomile in rest areas that promote sleep can support residents' with their health needs through targeted scent application. This provides both therapeutic and environmental benefits for the residents within the care homes, leading to their health being improved.
Resident Welcome Packages With a Signature Scent:
It could also be a good idea to include a small bottle of the care home’s signature scent in new resident welcome packages. The package could also come along with a note explaining the significance of the scent. This can help new residents to quickly associate the scent with their new home, helping to aid their transition, therefore providing a sense of comfort and familiarity.
The importance of fragrance quality:
The quality of fragrance in a care home is paramount, as it directly impacts residents' comfort, health, and overall experience within the care facility. High-quality fragrances like White Tea & Thyme Scent can help to ensure that the scents are pleasant, long-lasting, and free from irritating chemicals that could trigger allergies or respiratory issues. Premium fragrances like Amalfi Coast ScentAir Whisper™ HOME fragrance cartridge typically use natural or carefully formulated synthetic ingredients that help to provide a more balanced and authentic aroma, enhancing the ambiance without overwhelming people's senses. Investing in a high-quality fragrance like Seaside Driftwood ScentAir Whisper™ HOME fragrance cartridge also means fewer strong chemical overtones present in the air and a more sophisticated scent profile, which helps to contribute to a soothing/enjoyable environment. Ultimately, the right fragrance quality can help create a more welcoming and therapeutic atmosphere, helping to support residents' well-being and contributing to a positive living experience.
Why Are ScentAir Products Ideal for Use in Senior Living Environments?
At ScentAir, we have crafted a selection of natural and high-quality products/aroma methods of certain scents which are perfect for care spaces and can help to create a cozy atmosphere. Our aroma methods help to create unique atmospheres within places such as care facilities, homes, offices and also home offices. Not only do they offer long-lasting qualities, but thanks to our broad collection, we have made it possible for any space to be catered to. Our scent devices also allow a range of scent-releasing settings and can help to boost specific moods like calmness and happiness. This also ensures that aromas are never too overwhelming, plus, they can be managed digitally for easy control.
If you are looking for the right scent for a senior living facility, explore our complete collection now.
