Older people scent/smell

[4658Lou]

My mother has lived with me for some time and I have never smelled anything befoe, but recently there is a distinct scent coming from where she is living in her bedroom/lounge bit and bathroom and the only way to describe it without a better way to put it, it smells like old person smell and it’s terribly pungent, to be honest I can’t stand the scent it’s going into the hallway even with the door shut. I have tried to approach the subject very gentle but she is unaware completely she keeps saying the dog must have a doggy smell - which it doesn’t, bathed regular and my house smells fresh and clean it’s only where my mum is living it’s absolutely reeks of that old people scent it’s hard to describe , I’ve offered to clean her areas no she won’t let me - but I think it’s that bad now that it’s in the fabrics the scent? I don’t know how to approach this I’m at a loss and don’t want to hurt feelings but I want the smell to go or to not be as pungent I want to help my mum but she reluctant for me to touch her things etc.

Persimmon soap and a salux cloth?

Persimmon soap

Salux cloth

There's a name for the smell. It's a real thing. It's a sort of body oil.

We all start to produce the smell once we hit middle age and it gets more pungent as we get older.

If i remember correctly one place the smell comes from is the back of the neck. The reason it can linger more is less vigorous washing and perhaps changing clothes/bedding less often. Not using a hot wash ect. Also chair covers getting old and stale and embedded with the scent.

Some people love the smell with it reminding them of grand parents ect.

Personally i hate it ! I'll be scrubbing the back of my neck and boil washing my bedding to avoid starting to smell like it!

Im sorry i have no advice - but it is a real thing you're not imagining it.

You can't get rid of it, I'm afraid. It comes from inside her body, it's a chemical thing. Nothing to do with personal hygiene.

I feel for you though, it's awful.

It’s something that happens and through no fault of the person.

if you look it up there is a reason, you can though surely clean her room and freshen that up with a mattress clean, hoovering with essential oils in the hoover and use soap as pp writes

The "old person smell," also known as nonenal, is a real phenomenon linked to aging and is caused by a chemical compound formed when fats on the skin oxidize. This process, known as lipid peroxidation, is a natural part of aging and is not necessarily related to poor hygiene. While the smell can be described as musty, greasy, or cardboard-like, it is not inherently unpleasant and may even be perceived as neutral by some according to a 2012 study.

Here's a more detailed explanation:
Nonenal:
This is the specific chemical compound, an unsaturated aldehyde, that is produced when omega-7 fatty acids on the skin break down and oxidize.

Lipid Peroxidation:
This is the process of fats on the skin's surface oxidizing, similar to how metal rusts.

Aging and Skin Changes:
As people age, their skin produces fewer antioxidants, and cellular turnover slows down, causing these oxidized fats to linger longer, leading to the characteristic odor.

Other Contributing Factors:
While nonenal is the primary cause, other factors can also influence body odor in older adults, including reduced bathing frequency, skin changes, medications, diet, and hydration levels.

Not Always Negative:
Studies suggest that people may not find the "old person smell" particularly unpleasant or intense.

Managing the Smell:
While nonenal is difficult to remove with regular hygiene practices, lifestyle adjustments like a diet rich in antioxidants, staying hydrated, and using antioxidant skincare products may help.

Here's a breakdown of how to minimize the "old people smell":

1. Hygiene Practices:

Regular bathing: Use mild, fragrance-free soaps to remove excess oils and dead skin cells, which can contribute to odor.

Exfoliate: Gently exfoliate with a washcloth or soft brush to remove dead skin cells.

Moisturize: Keep skin hydrated by moisturizing after bathing.

Wash clothing frequently: Especially undergarments and clothing worn close to the body, and use odor-eliminating detergents.

Change bed linens regularly: Wash bedding in hot water and ensure it's aired out between uses.

Clean and deodorize living spaces:Air out rooms, use air purifiers, and clean with white vinegar or baking soda to eliminate odors.

1. Lifestyle Factors:

Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to help keep skin healthy.

Maintain a balanced diet: Include antioxidants, like those found in fruits and vegetables, to neutralize free radicals that contribute to 2-nonenal production.

Reduce stress: Stress can exacerbate body odor.

Exercise regularly: Exercise can help with overall health and reduce body odor.

Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption: These can contribute to body odor.

1. Environment:

Ensure proper ventilation: Open windows and use fans to circulate air and reduce stale air buildup.

Clean regularly: Vacuum carpets and upholstery, and clean hard surfaces to remove dust and odors.

Consider air purifiers: Air purifiers with HEPA filters can help remove airborne particles that contribute to odor.

1. Products:

Use fragrance-free soaps and detergents: These can be gentler on aging skin and won't mask the odor with artificial scents.

Consider odor-eliminating products:Some products are designed to break down 2-nonenal or neutralize odors.

I’m reading the responses i appreciate the knowledge of this.

how would i approach it - my mother is not aware so how would I suggest all these things. She very independent does what she wants wont let me tidy for her - I mentioned a scent once and she blamed the dog - it’s not the dog. I want to approach her but don’t want to hurt feelings …

I honestly can't see any nice way to do this. If she's anything like my mother she won't believe you anyway. You can sneakily try and implement some of the cleaning policies mentioned but it's not really going to have enough effect. Blame the dog for the extra cleaning if necessary.

Has anyone ever seen any documentaries or programmes where this subject is covered? You could try to engineer a viewing of something like that and use it as a stepping stone to talking about it, but again, I can't see it being well received.

My mother lives with us too and fortunately doesn't (yet at least) have this, but I know perfectly well that if it were to develop and I tried to tell her, no matter how gently, she would dismiss it and say I'm talking rubbish, which is her response to anything she doesn't like to hear.

I think I'd be honest.

"Mum, I've noticed an odour lately which I think could be hormonal. I'm sorry to bring this up but I thought it'd be better coming from me than anyone else. Apparently, this soap [persimmon] can help, along with this cloth [the salux]."

The salux cloth is great for harder to reach places e.g. back.

Ask your mum if you yourself smelt odd would she tell you?

then lead on from there, saying that as we all age we all have this phenomenon and so you’ll get an exfoliating sponge and the lovely Japanese washing products as you want to make sure she doesn’t have this phenomenon

Is it worth a medical check up?

I think you are going to have to have a frank conversation with her. It is hard.

My own mother was hyper-aware of the old person smell and was scrupulous with her hygiene and would often ask us to tell her if she smelled different to normal.

Buy her some Japanese Persimmon soap. It works!

How Old? I have noticed this musky or sweet smell
from my friends who have hit menopause. It’s really unpleasant. I am similar age so shower like a mad woman.

I actually met my husbands granny and she DIDN'T have the old person smell, despite being in her 80s.

When I spoke to him about it, it turns out she showered every single morning and her house had been kitted out with all new carpets, new furniture etc from her relatives.

It made me realise that most old people don't actually shower and bathe everyday, as they have less mobility, and they don't sweat as much or do strenuous exercise so probably don't deem it necessary.

All that is to say, OP does your mum shower everyday? If not, it might cut down the smell if she starts

Just buy her the Persimmon soap as a gift. Tell her you are having a cleaner in to do a deep clean and will include her living area. As others have suggested blame the dog it won't know. As a child of 7 or 8 I recall my Mum taking me to see my Dad's elderly aunty and I can still recall the strong sweet sickly smell. I didn't like it. I asked my Mum and she said old people often get it but it was so strong. She died a week later. In my mind I've always associated it with death since. Clearly I was wrong and it's just an older person smell.

I'm incredibly sensitive to smell. I can smell my children and family getting ill before they know they are!

In the pandemic I noticed dh getting that kind of older person smell. I honestly think part of it is not going outside for as long and as frequently.

I know some might be hormonal but I can smell the difference if he's been out for longer than an hour!

I joke it's my super power, but in reality it makes public transport very tricky!

I use the Dove gentle scrub on my elderly parent. It has made a big difference to their skin condition, no more flaky bits or dead skin lingering. I also use Nizoral on their hair when washing it. It's definitely a washing thing, they get less thorough as they get older. Neutradol gel is also good, you can tuck it away in hard to reach places and it will neutralise nasty niffs.

Is it lavender?

Persimmon soap is the answer. 👍🏻

It's not lavender. It's a known phenomenon, a chemical complex called 2-nonenal.

She probably doesn't notice as it happens gradually.
She needs to allow you deep clean her space at least once a month.

My DH can get this smell and he’s only 54, it’s not all the time but I notice is occasional. OP that sounds hard as I’m sure it’s not something she is even aware of.

My mum had this and then I realised I was smelling her Parkinson’s it’s a horrible musty, unclean smell and she is a very clean person.

What does this soap smell like ? Is it pleasant so anyone could use it daily.
I don't have a body odour issue but as a woman of a certain age I am supremely conscious of making sure I don't smell.