Delicious bread baking aroma. Just-mown grass has a distinct, pleasant smell. The stench of rotting food. We rely on our sense of smell more than you would believe. Part of the way you taste things also relates to how something smells. So, of course, you want to help your parents keep their sense of smell and find ways to enhance it.

Did you know that a reduced sense of smell is a common consequence of aging? Loss of smell due to aging is gradual and may go unnoticed, unlike when caused by a virus or other physical condition. Being able to smell will help enhance your seniors’ life in many ways. But how can you really help them when it comes to their sense of smell?

Why Does Loss of Smell Happen?

There is a decline in the function of the olfactory neurons in the nose as people become older. Older adults have fewer olfactory neurons accessible for detecting odors since the stem cells responsible for replacing them don’t function as effectively as they did when we were younger.

Aging of the brain regions responsible for smell and injury to the olfactory epithelium, a small tissue on the top of the nasal canal that sucks in scents, may also impact our sense of smell as we age.

Is It Dangerous for Seniors To Lose Their Sense of Smell?

Temporarily losing your sense of smell is inconvenient, but losing your sense of smell as you age might be harmful. Our nostrils serve as an early warning system, letting us know when anything is amiss. Such as when perishable food in the fridge has gone bad or when there is smoke in the house. When protecting ourselves from potential dangers, our sense of smell is often the first line of protection.

You might become sick from eating that ruined food if you can’t tell whether it’s gone bad or not. If you can’t smell smoke, you have no idea a dangerous fire is burning. It’s impossible to determine when to evacuate a building if you can’t detect a gas odor, such as when someone leaves the stove.

Are There Any Consequences of Losing Smell?

Knowing how a loss of scent might influence a senior’s everyday life is vital, whether it is a symptom of a more serious condition or a normal part of the aging process. Taste and smell are intrinsically connected. It’s true that when one declines, the other always follows suit. The result may be an increased desire for excessively salty or sweet meals among those with an impaired sense of smell. However, increasing a senior’s salt and sugar intake might exacerbate hypertension and diabetic symptoms.

However, the inability to smell (and, by extension, taste) food may cause seniors to reduce their food intake, leading to malnutrition and a weakened state. Furthermore, this might make one more vulnerable to injuries sustained from falling.

How to Help Your Senior With Smelling

If your loved one starts suffering a loss of smell, it’s crucial to be tested by a doctor to rule out physical reasons and ensure the loss of scent isn’t connected to a neurodegenerative illness. If you can’t take them in to get tested, it is time to think about hiring home care who can help a senior get around without you. If the loss of smell is part of the natural aging process, a doctor won’t be able to help much. However, you or home care can help a senior take a few extra steps around the house.

Ensure smoke alarms have functional batteries so a lack of scent won’t endanger a loved one. Natural gas detectors give peace of mind if your loved one can no longer smell natural gas appliances. If your loved one can’t smell, make colorful foods with strong spices (just be careful with salt and sugar). Stronger flavors will taste better for your loved one. A colorful dish makes meals more appetizing.

Source
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/expert-answers/loss-of-taste-and-smell/faq-20058455

If you or an aging loved-one is considering home care in Laurel, MD, please contact the caring staff at Care At Home today. 301-970-9706

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Ann Smith RN

Owner at Care at Home

Ann Smith, RN, Realtor® Your local Home care and Home transition expert Ann is a Registered Nurse and a Realtor with a passion and dedication to serving her community. She has over twenty years of nursing experience in pediatric, geriatric, home health care, and care management. She founded Care at Home, a home care company, to provide seniors with services that promote independence and safe aging in place. Ann is dedicated to helping seniors achieve stress-free retirement living by providing comprehensive services from health to home. Ann's mother instilled in her the value of hard work, dedication, and service to others at a young age, which is now a driving force in her home care agency. Her caring and compassionate work with seniors began when she was just 17 years old. She was offered a job as a caregiver. Just as quickly, she instinctively knew that this would be her life's work. She soon became a nurse and has since helped many older adults transition seamlessly into a new phase of life. While helping seniors and individuals with their home care needs, it became apparent that part of the transition process often involved selling their current home for more suitable living arrangements. That's when Ann decided to add real estate services to alleviate stress and enhance her client's experience. It's also how she became known as the Home Transition Agent. Today, Ann helps her mature clients achieve stress-free retirement living by providing in-home care and comprehensive services from health to home. Ann's love for children and dedication to helping families caring for children with chronic health conditions inspired Pediatric Care at Home, a division of Care at Home that provides pediatric nursing care. Ann and her team are dedicated to providing compassionate care to all, from infants to older adults. When Ann isn't busy helping her patients and clients, she volunteers her time at women's shelters and fostering dogs. She and her veteran husband enjoy a simple life in the countryside, where farm animals and country life surround them. Ann also enjoys reading, photography, gardening, and nature walk with their dogs.

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