Essential Oils: Sensory Cues or Sensory Aids?

Essential oils can do more than add fragrance — they can support memory, focus, and inclusion in residential care. This article explores how scent can act as both a sensory cue and a sensory aid, helping residents connect, engage, and experience the world around them more fully.

Essential oils can play more than one role in sensory wellbeing — and understanding this distinction helps us use them more purposefully in care settings.

When used to stimulate memory, focus, or relaxation, essential oils act as sensory cues. Scents such as rosemary, lavender, or citrus can prompt emotional connection, recall familiar experiences, or support alertness. These cues tap into the close relationship between smell and memory — offering gentle ways to engage attention and support cognitive wellbeing.

However, essential oils can also function as sensory aids, especially for individuals whose sense of smell has diminished with age. In this context, stronger or more distinct aromas are not simply stimulating — they help make the sensory world more accessible. The focus shifts from memory or mood to inclusion: enabling everyone, regardless of sensory ability, to experience scent and participate in shared sensory activities.

When we think of scent as both a cue and an aid, it opens up more inclusive ways to support wellbeing.

In residential care, this means considering both purpose and context. A gentle cue may help evoke reminiscence during a calming activity, while a stronger aid may help someone reconnect with sensory experience itself.

Used thoughtfully, essential oils can enhance engagement, accessibility, and connection — reminding us that sensory wellbeing is not only about stimulation, but about inclusion.

Always get guidance from a qualified aromatherapist or complete relevant training before using essential oils in residential care.

Contact Liz to discuss your nursing home training requirements.

Until next time,

Liz