Patricia’s story: the healing powers of aromatherapy

Patricia’s story: the healing powers of aromatherapy

Patricia is a full-time carer for her son, who has cerebral palsy and complex needs. He is non-verbal and requires a high level of ongoing care and support. Alongside her caring responsibilities, Patricia also works part-time and manages the household. The physical and emotional demands of caring can be significant, particularly as she regularly uses moving and assisting techniques to support her son.

Over time, Patricia began to experience a decline in her own physical health, with increased back pain due to the lifting and handling involved in her caring role.

Following discussions with her local carers' centre about available support options, Patricia was encouraged to explore Time to Live as a way of taking a much-needed break. She decided to use a microgrant to access aromatherapy treatment sessions.

“I suffer from back pain, and these sessions have been incredibly helpful for me. They give me valuable time away from caring, and during that time I can truly relax. The aromatherapy helps ease my aches and pains, and having something to look forward to each session made such a difference."

Through accessing this support, Patricia has been able to prioritise her own wellbeing, helping her to better manage the physical and emotional demands of her caring role. The opportunity to take regular, restorative breaks has not only eased her pain but also improved her resilience and overall quality of life, enabling her to continue caring for her son with renewed energy and confidence.

Find out more about Time to Live here.