Hospice or palliative care in the final stages of terminal illness often
provides a blessing to both patient and caregiver. Many people are not aware that this
valuable support is available to them and struggle alone to care for the terminally ill patient.
Various hospice facilities have "complementary therapies" programs available, that are intended
to bring comfort to the dying patient. Pet therapy brings well-trained dogs and cats
to visit the patient. Music therapy will bring an hour or two of soothing "live" music, or maybe a chance to listen to recorded music the patient loves. Art therapy brings the opportunity for self-expression.
Living history therapists tape-record the patient's family history as a lasting reminder for their
loved one's. And flower essence and/or aromatherapy programs are requested on a daily basis.
Flower essences and aromatherapy can play a valuable role in calming the stressed,
angry, demanding or fearful patient. The volunteer or home health aide can do a hand or
foot "moisturizing treatment." I suggest not using the term "massage" as it may have pain associations.
For moisturizing, use unscented lotion or carrier oil with flower essences and either rose essential oil
or lavender essential oil. I have created Heart Awakening Oil and Serenity Oil which are used at
many hospice facilities for this purpose. The volunteer, home health aide or other the caregiver
can gently moisturize the hands and feet which makes many patients feel calm and supported.
You may also use flower essence sprays of Hope, Calling the Angels and Tranquility to spray the
bedding while giving the patient a bath or changing the sheets, or spray a cotton ball and pin it to the patient's gown.
Bob, a nurse at a Banning, California hospice arrived at a care facility to find an
extremely distraught patient. The gentleman, suffering from Alzheimer's, had been refusing a
bath for days and was so agitated that he was fighting with the staff. Bob took some of the lavender and vanilla oil
and flower essence combination, (mentioned in the last paragraph) in his hand, reached out to greet
and shake the hand of the patient. The patient said, "What's this, it is so nice". Bob asked him to sit
down while he continued moisturizing his hand, and while chatting with him was able to suggest that they get
him into his room for his bath. He happily complied and the staff was delighted.
Social workers have used flower essences and aromatherapy to support the families
during the transition of a loved one. In one case, in the grandfather had just passed away.
The grandmother, from middle Europe, began to cry and wail loudly, a practice common to her home
country, but new and upsetting to this Americanized, extended family in San Diego. When the social
worker sprayed a combination called Hope, the grandmother began to quietly sob, and the family
immediately started to pray -- turning a tense situation into a calm, supportive one. A combination
spray made of water, frankincense and neroli essential oils with flower essences uplifts the spirit
and brings hope into the situation.
Often patients will become fearful due to the loss of control. A Tranquility Spray combination
of water, rosewood and cedar wood essential oils, with flower essences brings on a tranquil space,
in present time, and helps alleviate the "what if" syndrome.
When patients have breakthrough pain and the caregiver cannot reach help immediately,
I suggest they ask the patient to focus on the pain, noticing how big it is, what color it
is, is it hot or cold, heavy or light, rough or smooth. I use a combination spray of water,
lemon grass essential oil and flower essences to release their pattern of pain. We all have remembered
patterns of pain in our lives, whether from a fall, surgery, or our monthly cycle; any pre-set experience
of what pain will feel like. Flower essences can help change that expected pattern, restoring harmony
and balance. In Perth, Australia, they have introduced a flower essence cream to many hospitals for pain relief.
I hope that this will give you some new ideas of ways to treat friends and loved ones recovering from surgery,
or who are facing a terminal illness with the loving support of our flower friends. One of God's most
beautiful gifts to us are flowers. They have been used for thousands of years to heal, uplifting the
spirit in times of grief, anger, sadness or fear, and restore harmony and balance to our lives.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Maggie Smith is the creator behind
Flower Essence Energy Sprays and her Hospice Kit for use with terminally ill patients. An advanced energy healer, Maggie is a graduate and teacher for the School
of Energy Mastery. Her journey with flower essences began in 1993 with the Flower Essence Society
of California. She is currently the United States teaching representative for the "Living Essences of Australia."
Over the years Maggie has expanded her awareness of the vitality of flower essence therapy and her knowledge
and skills through aromatherapy training. Maggie has a private practice in Santa Cruz, where she assists
clients in creating a personal flower essence formula designed to help individuals find peace with their
life issues.
DESIGN CREDITS: This page was designed by Deborah Bier and Donna Cunningham; photos are from Clipart.com.
The World Wide Essence Society does not mean to imply any recommendation of nor give certification to any individuals or companies above. This article is provided purely for informational purposes. We ask consumers to make their own determination as to quality of the services and products offered above. This article is not meant to be advice, and the information is not meant to replace medical or psychological treatment.
