The Power of Natural Perfumes in Long-Term Care Spaces

By Kristin Chen, Certified Natural Perfumer

The Case of Wufu Nursing Home in Taiwan​

Taiwan’s Innovation: Natural Perfume as a Soft Power in 21st-Century Care Spaces

In the 21st century, spatial atmosphere has evolved beyond decoration and design. It is now recognized as an essential form of soft power that integrates body, mind, and spirit while safeguarding health. To me, spatial atmosphere management is a discipline of well-being. By weaving together smell, sight, and sound, it creates environments that soothe emotions and nurture the human spirit. This philosophy is steadily taking root in Taiwan’s healthcare and long-term care sectors, with Wufu Nursing Home standing out as one of the most inspiring examples.

From “Cleanliness” to “Comfort and Reassurance”
Not long ago, Wufu Nursing Home earned a perfect score in the official Infection Control evaluation—a rare and outstanding accomplishment in Taiwan’s long-term care industry. What impressed the evaluators most was not only Wufu’s impeccable cleanliness but also its subtle integration of natural perfume. Unlike the unpleasant odors often associated with medical institutions, the air at Wufu carried a sense of warmth, freshness, and reassurance.
This demonstrates the power of atmosphere—the very essence of our work as spatial atmosphere consultants. Cleanliness forms the foundation, but the true measure of success lies in whether the atmosphere can bring emotional stability. That stability enables residents to feel safe and cared for, while allowing caregivers to sustain their work with resilience and dedication.

Natural Perfume Brings Warmth to Care Environments
​Odor management has always been a challenge in healthcare and eldercare. The smells of disinfectants, medicines, and aging bodies often accumulate, creating invisible psychological stress. Traditionally, facilities have masked these odors with chemical perfumes—quick fixes that often create stronger irritation and may even trigger allergies or respiratory issues.
Wufu Nursing Home chose a different path, adopting our Natural Perfume Program based on pure botanical essential oils. This approach delivered three key outcomes:

1. Neutralizing odors: Harnessing the natural purifying qualities of plants to keep the air genuinely fresh, without chemical masking..
2. Reducing stress: Subtle natural perfumes helped calm emotions, easing daily anxiety for both residents and caregivers.
3. Supporting health: Perfume stimulates the olfactory system, influencing the brain’s limbic system to indirectly strengthen immunity and foster a willingness to heal.

For example, Hinoki oil conveys a sense of purity and stability; citrus oils brighten mood and uplift energy; lavender and vetiver promote relaxation and better sleep. These applications go far beyond cosmetic “air freshening.” They are rooted in years of research and practice, transforming the healing power of plants into part of everyday care.

Spatial Atmosphere Management: A Multi-Sensory Philosophy of CareI often emphasize that
spatial atmosphere management is not decoration, but a philosophy of sensory integration. At Wufu Nursing Home, in addition to carefully crafted perfume, we also guided the design of warm lighting, soothing colors, and curated soundscapes:

• Sight: Moving away from sterile white walls, embracing warm tones to create a homelike environment.
• Sound: Playing soft music in public areas, reducing mechanical noise and environmental stress.
• Touch: Using cushions and upholstery with gentle textures, giving residents a sense of comfort and care.

These seemingly small details transform a facility from merely functional into genuinely humane. For residents, such atmosphere eases loneliness and anxiety. For caregivers, it provides much-needed emotional support. A calm environment reduces stress, helping prevent fatigue and burnout.

From Taiwan to the World: Reconnecting People and Nature
As Chair of the International Perfume Foundation (IPF) in Asia, and as a spatial atmosphere consultant and natural perfume designer, I see Taiwan’s innovations in long-term care beginning to shine on the global stage. The success of Wufu Nursing Home is not simply a victory in evaluation—it is a powerful demonstration that:
Natural perfume is not a luxury, but an essential element of healthcare.

By introducing natural perfume into care institutions, we are doing more than improving air quality. We are using scent to reconnect people with nature. For residents, this creates familiarity and a sense of safety. For caregivers, it offers moments of balance amidst the intensity of their daily responsibilities. Ultimately, stability of body, mind, and spirit is the foundation of sustainable care.

Conclusion:
Atmosphere as the Invisible Guardian of HealthWufu Nursing Home’s perfect score is a testament to the dedication of its team—especially under the leadership of Supervisor Huang Hui-ling, herself a certified IPF Natural Perfumer. Through her guidance, fragrance design was not just conceptualized but successfully implemented in daily practice. This case reminds us that the success of healthcare and long-term care facilities does not depend solely on spotless environments, but also on the holistic creation of atmosphere.

I firmly believe the future of healthcare and eldercare will increasingly rely on this power of atmosphere.
​When natural perfume and multi-sensory design are widely applied, they will not only improve institutional performance and reputation but—most importantly—protect the health and well-being of both residents and caregivers.
The dedication and vision demonstrated in Taiwan deserve to be seen by the world. Through the platform of IPF, I hope more international colleagues will recognize that natural perfume and spatial atmosphere management are not merely aesthetic choices, but vital keys to restoring harmony between humanity and nature in the 21st century.

From left to right: Hui-Ling Huang, Supervisor of the Wufu Nursing Home, Kristin Chen and Sharon, Manager of Wufu Organization

For more info about Spatial Scent Atmosphere Projects contact the International Perfume Foundation - www.perfumefoundation.org