The olfatheque in nursing homes: an innovative method to stimulate the sense of smell
Updated: 46 minutes ago
In short: olfactory therapy in nursing homes means offering residents familiar smells, through an olfatheque (a collection of smells) or a fragrance diffuser, to stimulate the sense of smell, give rhythm to the day and awaken memories. It is not a medical treatment, but a well-being tool to build together with the care home's teams.
A method to stimulate the sense of smell and improve residents' quality of life.
The olfatheque, at the crossroads between a library and an olfactory museum, is an organised collection of smells that helps people rediscover the world through their sense of smell. Its use in nursing homes for dependent elderly people (EHPAD in France) brings new life to residents' quality of life by drawing on their olfactory memory.
Let's see how this approach, centred on fragrances and smells, can accompany mealtimes, moments of relaxation and the recollection of memories.
The importance of smell for seniors
Just like sight or hearing, smell is an essential sense for perceiving the world. For older people, stimulating it can revive distant memories and awaken emotions. The olfatheque, with its diversity of smells, offers a unique palette to stimulate this sometimes neglected sense.
Olfactory therapy to support appetite
It is not uncommon for appetite to decrease with age. Yet imagine the smell of fresh bread, a freshly baked apple pie or a simmering stew: these familiar fragrances can awaken a desire to eat and to relive convivial moments around a meal. The olfatheque can thus find its place before meals to make residents want to come to the table.
Giving rhythm to the day with the olfatheque
The olfatheque can be used to mark different times of the day:
Morning: a fresh, invigorating smell of lemon or eucalyptus to accompany waking up.
Mealtime: gourmand scents such as apple pie or Sunday roast to announce that it is time to eat.
Afternoon: scents of green tea or flowers to accompany a moment of relaxation or reading.
Evening: a gentle fragrance such as lavender or jasmine to accompany bedtime.
This olfactory structure gives residents landmarks in time, while stimulating their senses and evoking pleasant memories.
Accompanying bedtime
Peaceful sleep is essential. Through the olfatheque, residents can rediscover smells such as clean laundry, lavender or summer rain, which many associate with relaxation. Introducing these scents before bedtime can contribute to a calmer moment, alongside the care home's usual routines.
Memory and recollection through smells
The smell of Marseille soap can recall childhood baths, mint a grandmother's garden, leather a grandfather's favourite armchair. The olfatheque is a real treasure for reviving these memories, including with residents who have memory difficulties. It offers a bridge to the past and an opportunity to talk with carers and families.
Which fragrance diffuser for a nursing home or care home?
In a place that cares for vulnerable people, the choice of equipment matters as much as the choice of smells. These are the criteria we recommend:
No flame, no heat: an electric diffuser rather than candles or incense.
Adjustable intensity and scheduling: to diffuse lightly, and only at chosen times (before meals, at the end of the day).
Simple maintenance: staff must be able to change a refill or switch the device off in seconds.
Fragrances compliant with IFRA standards, chosen with the team and lightly dosed.
The right locations: entrance hall, dining room, common areas and activity rooms, rather than bedrooms without the resident's agreement.
Solution | Use in a care home | Point of attention |
Programmable electric diffuser | Atmosphere in common areas, landmarks during the day | Keep intensity low |
Olfatheque (vials or smelling strips) | Memory workshops, one-to-one or small-group sessions | Led by a member of staff |
Room spray | Occasional use, on demand | Do not spray near people |
Scented candle | Not recommended in care homes | Flame and smoke |
Our electric fragrance diffusers work without a flame and can be scheduled by time slot. To decide whether to buy or lease them, read Is it better to buy or lease your professional fragrance diffusers?
Olfactory therapy and Snoezelen spaces
Snoezelen spaces are multisensory rooms where lights, sounds, textures and smells invite relaxation and sensory awakening. They are used in particular with dependent elderly people and people with disabilities. Smell has a natural place there: gentle, chosen, diffused at the right moment.
Eco French Lab works with several Snoezelen facilities in France and Belgium. This experience has taught us the essentials: few smells, well chosen, and always in close contact with the teams who know the people they support.
Setting up olfactory therapy in a care home: the steps
Discuss goals and precautions with the care team and the activities team.
Choose times and places: before meals, at the end of the day, in common areas.
Select a small number of smells familiar to residents.
Test in one area, observe reactions and gather feedback from residents and families.
Adjust intensity and schedules, then extend if feedback is positive.
Eco French Lab's support for olfactory therapy
Eco French Lab, committed to the well-being and quality of life of vulnerable people, supports specialised establishments in setting up olfactory therapy.
Aware of the specific needs of these establishments, we offer diffusers suited to gentle, controlled diffusion of smells. This easy-to-use equipment makes it possible to create an atmosphere adapted to different times of the day and different activities.
By working closely with on-site teams, Eco French Lab helps you build a personalised olfatheque, to offer residents an enriching sensory experience.
Frequently asked questions
What is olfactory therapy in a nursing home?
It is the use of familiar smells, in workshops or through diffusion, to stimulate residents' sense of smell, give landmarks during the day and encourage the recollection of memories.
Is a fragrance diffuser suitable for a care home?
Yes, if it is electric (no flame), set to low intensity, scheduled at the right times and installed in common areas, in agreement with the care team.
Which smells work well with older people?
Familiar, simple smells: fresh bread, baked apple, lavender, clean laundry, mint, Marseille soap. A few smells residents know well are better than many.
Does olfactory therapy replace care?
No. It is a well-being approach that complements the care home's support. For any health question (allergy, asthma, loss of smell), the medical team's advice comes first.
Conclusion
With an olfatheque and well-chosen diffusers, olfactory therapy becomes a simple reality to set up, serving residents' daily lives.
Do you run a nursing home, a care home or a Snoezelen space? Discover our diffusers and let's talk about your project. To go further, read Ready for olfactory therapy? and The smells that make us feel good.
Article written by Anne-Marie Spencer, co-founder of Eco French Lab.
Lire l'article en français : Olfathérapie dans les EHPAD
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