How Our Senses Change As We Age: Smell

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Stop for a moment and think about your 5 senses: smell, hearing, touch, sight, and taste. Consider how much enjoyment each of them brings to your life.

Unfortunately, all of these senses decline to some degree as we age. This is an important consideration as we work to help our residents experience their best possible quality of life.

Over the next few months, let’s look at those 5 senses. We’ll learn how the aging process affects each of them and what we can do to incorporate sensory-stimulating activities into our daily care.

As we explore this topic, I want you to remember two important points. First, even though our senses change as we age, we can’t always assume a change is because of normal aging. If the change occurs suddenly or if a change is significant, please consult a medical provider. It could be a sign of a serious illness.

Second, don’t assume that nothing can be done about a decline if it’s because of aging. In nearly every situation, we can provide interventions to help a person accommodate for the declines.

How does aging affect our sense of smell?

Most of us will experience a decline in our sense of smell, especially after the age of 70. However, because it occurs gradually many people don’t notice the change. The decrease is usually due to a diminishing number of nerve endings in our nasal passages as well as less mucous production.

Sometimes a decline in one’s sense of smell may be related to a reversible problem such as an infection or nasal polyps. However, it also may be a sign of a more serious condition such as Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease.

Medications can also cause changes in odor perception. These include certain antibiotics, cardiac medications, antidepressants, and chemotherapy drugs.

Why is this a problem?

One of the major concerns with a declining sense of smell is how it affects a person’s appetite. Whether or not you realize it, much of what makes food taste good is how it smells.

If you have any doubts about this, try holding your nose while you eat a favorite food. It doesn’t taste nearly as good, does it? When an elderly person is already at nutritional risk, this becomes a concern.

A decline in one’s sense of smell may also have social implications. For example, a person may become unaware of issues with their body odor. Or perhaps you’ve encountered residents who go way overboard when applying perfume.

Safety issues may also result from a decreased sense of smell. These include difficulty smelling smoke or being unable to detect the odor of spoiled food.

How can we create a sensory-stimulating environment?

When you think about it, our sense of smell is a gift that enhances our lives in so many ways. We want to help our residents continue to enjoy this wonderful gift even as their sense of smell declines.

For residents who experience a change in appetite due to their diminished sense of smell, we can choose foods that have a bold and pleasant aroma. We might also enhance the aroma of meals by adding healthy spices and marinades.

The odor of delicious foods wafting through a building before mealtime can also stimulate a person’s appetite. I’ve visited memory care units that use bread machines, crock pots, or toaster ovens to infuse the unit with wonderful scents. This also provides a much more welcoming atmosphere for visitors.

Aromatherapy is another option. In my experience, aromatherapy not only benefits the residents, but it also provides a more pleasant work environment for caregivers. That being said, I highly suggest that you consult with someone certified in aromatherapy to assure you use effectively and safely with your residents.

I hope you also incorporate sensory stimulation into your daily cares and recreational activities. Talk with your residents and learn about the scents that bring back happy memories from the past, then try to duplicate them. Remember that the use of fragrant flowers, holiday scents, herbs, and lotions can all enhance a resident’s enjoyment of life.

 

What would you add? I would love to hear how you create a sensory-stimulating environment for your residents. Also, be sure to come back next month when we’ll focus on the sense of hearing.