Falls in nursing homes are 2-3 times more frequent than the elderly living at home. There is considerablel morbidity and mortality with falls, especially in those people who are weak, osteoporotic, have poor balance, or on drugs that have sedative effects. In a study using lavender patches for one year showed that there were fewer falls than those getting a placebo and that there was also less agitation. While this was a small study, it suggests lavender works and is far safer than drugs. A previous study several years ago showed that lemon balm also worked to help nursing home patients sleep better.
