Do seniors have a distinct body odor?

You’ve probably hugged an older person and gotten a whiff of something that smelled a little musty or medicinal. It’s hard to pinpoint, but you know it when you smell it.

We all have our own distinct body odor, and researchers have found the same holds true for seniors. Rudely referred to by some as “old-person smell,” there are real reasons behind these odors.

Losing a sense of smell

Physical changes and social factors influence a senior’s body odor as they age, says Dr. Mariko K. Wong, an assistant professor of medicine in the Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at the University of Chicago.

“As we get older, we develop a decreased sense of thirst and smell,” she says. “Older people tend to be more dehydrated, so body odor might be stronger than younger people.”

Dehydration can cause you to sweat more, and a reduced sense of smell means you may not notice your own body odor. Saliva production, which helps fight bacteria in the mouth, also drops with age. Less saliva may lead to bad mouth odors, Wong says.

Artificial saliva sprays can help offset bad breath, and drinking more fluids will keep you hydrated.

“Drink fluids more during the morning or early afternoon. Also, try to

avoid caffeinated drinks, because they have a diuretic effect,” Wong says.

How to help fight bad smells

Some older adults can’t get around as well, and this can contribute to bad smells, Wong says. When it’s tough to bathe and clean the house, odors can accumulate. To help seniors stay clean and smelling fresh, Wong recommends caregivers ask seniors how they can help.

“Frequent contact with them is the first step,” she says.

Help with laundry and cleaning. Throw out old food and other garbage, and make sure their home is well ventilated.

Seniors can also talk to their doctors about special chairs for the shower and benches that make it easier to get into bathtub. If they have limited mobility, they can take sponge baths, focusing on the feet, underarms and groin areas, to help freshen up, Wong says.

Sometimes, smells can indicate an underlying medical problem, such as urinary incontinence. Many seniors are embarrassed to seek help for this common problem, Wong says.

“They don’t have to live with it,” she says. “They can actually do something about it if they bring it up.”