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.

I've smelled the "old person" smell before but didn't realise it had a name or what the cause was so I've found this thread really informative!

My DM is 88 and she doesn't have that smell but if she did I know she'd want me to tell her. I'll be making a note of persimmon soap - might get some myself actually, it sounds lovely!

It's nothing to do with damp clothes. It has been explained many times in the thread already...

The scent will be in the fabrics but I'm afraid there won't be much point in replacing them because the smell is coming from your mother's skin. No matter how hygienic she is. You can replace the fabrics but the same will happen to the new ones.

Probably your best bet is the persimmon soap (as a gift!) and plenty of mushroom based meals.

If you haven't smelt it on them, they haven't got it. You would have noticed and there's no reason to think they have it unless you've already smelt it. Not everyone gets it.

I know exactly the smell you mean, one grandma had it, and great aunts on her side, I can smell their houses now. My parents don't despite being late 70s. They're active, eat well, scrupulously clean and fond of a hot wash cycle and an aired house. I think it's washing, both personal and laundry.

My grandad had the smell, and now my parents do too. I have to visit regularly and help care for their cat, and the smell hits me as I open the front door. I'm autistic and very sensitive to smells and it makes me feel unwell. They insist their clothes are only washed on 30 too which probably doesn't help. I don't know what more I can do other than wear essential oils around my neckline to try and mask it a bit. It's really difficult to manage. Sitting in the car is terrible but they're becoming very controlling in their older age and don't like the windows ajar if it's raining or windy etc. I'll try to gift them this soap and hopefully it makes a difference.

Op i think it must relate to the shower incident. The only people ive smelt 'old person smell' on were people who were loathed to wash, ie not fit enough to get in the shower.

Is she actually washing?
Does she need adaptions grips, non-slip mats, seat?

I didn't realise it was a thing thing, but in recent years my parents house has a smell that I would describe as stale bread and my grandparents homes smelt the same too, I wonder if that is the same smell, but they are impeccably clean, but the smell can be overwhelming at times.

I’m glad to know this can be the reality of old age and at 67 I’ll be mindful of it going forward.

My dad got this smell I found it quite sad. He was well dressed like many of his generation. I wouldn’t have mentioned it though as he wasn’t aware.

I will be mindful of not being brainwashed.

Heard about this a couple of years ago and a blackcurrant based product was said to be a remedy. Try googling it.

Looking at mushrooms - its particular two mushrooms and blackcurrant from New Zealand that van be added to the diet to increase health and well being overall and also reduce this happening in the first place - just have a google of the supplements you can buy and also the types of mushrooms that are good for health and why they work.

No, she never wore fake tan - and it wasn't the same smell. I used it a few times in my late teens/early 20s (it was NOT a good look on me 😅) and I'd know the fake tan smell anywhere!

My dad used to call it Crevice Honk. And he had it once he hit 80.
I am 56 and I dread it.
He used to swim regularly and say…
Peg, if the chlorine doesn’t swill your crevices out, there’s not much you can do!
Miss his humour.

Fabreeze?

My elderly sister lives with me and the stench from her and her room is awful.... She won't wash anything... She has carers but all they can manage is for her to use a wet flannel on her hands... Won't even wash her face.... She just tells them she'll do it later... But never does. She doesn't seem able to smell anything which doesn't help.... Has a little forgetfulness and confusion but can be quite sharp with other things. Also sits in same paper padded pants for days on end that are covered with poop!! When she let's my daughter help her change she seems really embarrassed about the state of the pants but continues to repeat over and over.. I have a cleaner who sorts her area every fortnight. And the carers change her bed often but she won't change her clothes and if she does she will hang the dirty clothes back in the wardrobe saying they're fine 😬... Says she hasn't been playing in the mud so she's not dirty !!!! I'm at my wits end....

Have been wondering what the glut of blackcurrants I have would be good for - now I know I’ll be stuffing my face with thrm
tomorrow, while adding persimmon soap and mushrooms to the shopping list and whacking on a boil wash.

its a difficult subject, but I’d rather know if it was me. I hope you find. a good solution OP

It starts in your 40s apparently 🙈

The nonenol scent is described as an “unpleasant greasy and grassy odor.”

I've smelt it once or twice in the last decade in a train carriage, and often mix with very old people, none of whom and none of those in my family, have ever smelt of anything unpleasant.

It isn't automatic upon ageing, or at any age.

I would foolproof the shower to start. I have to climb into the bath to use the overhead shower. With an arthritic hip it's scary. Get the grips too. We've used the en suite shower for storage for years when I eventually have the operation I'm going to need it so husband will organise grips and a seat for me.

My teenage son developed a smell ruined a mattress. I only realised when the furniture men came with a new bed and plonked the mattress in the hallway how badly it stank.

Our two year old Labrador stinks. We've just replaced a sofa and despite the throws the sitting room stank in the morning. With the new furniture the smell has gone.

• The science behind "old person smell":
• A compound called 2-nonenal is thought to be a key contributor to the distinctive body odor associated with aging. This compound builds up on the skin as we age.
• Mushrooms to the rescue:
• Mushrooms, especially shiitake and oyster varieties, are rich in ergothioneine and spermidine.
• Ergothioneine:
• This antioxidant helps prevent lipid peroxidation, which is a process that can lead to the formation of 2-nonenal.
• Spermidine:
• This compound encourages autophagy, a process where the body cleans out damaged cells and replaces them with new ones.
• Beyond odor reduction:
• Studies suggest that consuming mushrooms can offer other health benefits, such as improved insulin resistance, stronger bones, and potentially reduced risk of certain cancers.
• Incorporating mushrooms:
• Including mushrooms in your diet, even as a preventative measure during hormonal shifts like perimenopause, is recommended

This chat has horrified me … something new to add to my list of worries for the future .
I’ve never smelt this smell I think … is it kind of stale old persons smell?
I used to hate visits my husband’s grandmother because I felt the air in her tiny sheltered accommodation was stale , but now I’m wondering if was this smell ?
I just remember feeling dread and a kind claustrophobia from being in her environment.
This sounds like it’s stronger from the actual person …
my dad is nearly 80 and smells lovely and clean so hope it’s not going to happen to me !

I'd not describe it as an unpleasant smell, it is musty like the inside of a church or hymn book

My late father had Parkinson's. Although very clean (showering every day, or in the final stages, being showered every day), he developed a kind of acrid, musky smell that wasn't overpowering, but was noticeable. The rooms he spent time in always smelled of his illness.

Research paper.

But hopefully your mother isn't developing Parkinson's, and is affected by a more general change to body odour as she ages.

Agree with the suggestion of adapting her shower so she feels safe.

Also, could you do things to remind her of the fun side of hygiene and keeping clean? e.g. get her a box of Lush products as a present, take her on a spa getaway?

(Ok, my own mother never goes to spas and would look at me as if I'd gone barmy if I suggested it, but the idea might work for someone else!)