What does it mean to take a holistic approach to aging?
Holistic means that things should be studied as a whole and not just as a sum of their parts. An example of holistic is health care that focuses on the health of the entire body and mind. Therefore, we are not just looking at medications, tests, and treatment of disease but considering other issues, which could be the root cause.
Typically, Conventional Medicine focuses solely on the physical health – looking at the illnesses and cures.
At Holistic Aging we strongly believe that the body should not be looked as individual parts. Instead our holistic approach looks at how the many parts and systems of the body interact and support one another.
Our care focuses on healing, as well as attention to all aspects of the individual, including their physical, emotional, cultural, mental, social, and spiritual needs. As a result, we frequently find the “disease” subsides when we address the underlying cause of the symptom.
For example, rather than prescribing a sleeping pill when someone has insomnia, we try to determine what is causing the insomnia.
- Is it not enough physical or mental exercise during the day?
- Are you having a difficult time staying asleep or falling asleep?
- Are you worrying and that is what is keeping you awake?
- Do you have physical issues such as GERD or urinary frequency that are waking you up?
We will then try to address these issues with alternative methods that the client is receptive to trying:
- Clinical Aromatherapy
- Teaching the client meditation or recommending guided meditations or classes
- In Home Yoga or a class for older adults
- Keeping a diary on sleep issues and analyzing the diary
- Adding day time exercise
- Adding day time cognitive stimulation
- Review of all the medications one is on to see if that could be the cause
- Analyzing the diet
- In Home Massage
- Adding melatonin
Holistic Aging is dedicated to caring for the whole person, recognizing healing is always possible, even when curing is not. Our Registered Nurse Life Care managers use nursing knowledge, theories, expertise and intuition to recognize and care for the whole person. We help individuals access their greatest healing potential across mainstream and complementary systems.
Clinical Aromatherapy using Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils
The use of aromatic plants and herbs dates back thousands of years and have been a part of health care in cultures all over the world. The connection between plants and people means that we each have an influence on each other
Aromatherapy is the use of therapeutic oils extracted from organic plant matter in order to heal.
Aromatherapy is the use of therapeutic oils extracted from organic plant matter in order to heal.
There are two main clinical uses of aromatherapy:
- to enhance relaxation, relieve stress, anxiety, and promote a sense of well-being
- to fight against bacterial, viral, and fungal infections
The owner of Holistic Aging, Bobbi Kolonay, is a RN MS is a Certified Holistic Nurse, a Certified Clinical Aroma Therapist and an Herbalist. Because of her education and expertise as a holistic nurse, her focus has always been on the clinical (healing) aspects of plants.
Bobbi uses her expertise as both a clinician and Aroma therapist to prepare custom made blends to treat such common symptoms as infection, insomnia, nausea and vomiting, pain, inflammation, stress and well-being. Our oils are purchased from the highest quality organic farms throughout the world. We do not participate in any tiered marketing essential oil program.
Stop by our office for some “tried and true” blends for purchase like Cold/Flu Blend, Memory Blend, Anti-Inflammatory Pain Blend and the most popular “Celebrate your Life.” An instruction guide and a description of each blend is provided with every purchase.
The staff of Holistic Aging is always learning and educating. If there is a commentary or alternative treatment that we think could benefit you, we will walk you through how it works and your options. However, the decision to try it is yours and we respect your decision either way. More often than not our clients choose to try our recommendations and endorse the commentary or alternative treatment for others due to their own success.
Herbal Medicine
Using herbs and spices that have disease-preventive effect in foods is one of the best ways to take advantage of their healing power. For example, it appears that the daily use of the spice turmeric in curry dishes is one reason elderly population of India have one of the lowest rates of Alzheimer’s disease in the world. There are times when an herbal remedy may offer a safer alternative than a pharmaceutical. Sometimes, it is better to use mild remedies for minor health problems and save the more potent, or riskier, prescription medications for more serious conditions treated by a medical doctor.
Not all herbs are alike. The herbs we offer for your consideration are USDA Certified Organic Herbs, extracted with Certified Organic Grain Alcohol, processed with Certified Organic methods, and laboratory tested for potency. They represent the closest meeting of an herb that Nature can provide.
The best herbal medicines are those you grow yourself. Maintaining a personal herb garden can ensure freshness and quality. Ms. Kolonay has a medicinal garden in her back yard and would be glad to share her ideas and gardening experience with you.