What makes the homes of old people smell funky the way they do? (Don't say urine)?

Answer 1

I think there are several reasons. Obviously, they are physically incapable of keeping their home as clean and tidy as they once could. Their personal possessions also age and start to deteriorate including furniture, drapes, carpeting, etc., so they emit an unpleasant odor as well. Same thing goes for an older home if not well maintained, wood starts to rot, mold can start to accumulate and cause foul odor, too. Sad but true. A good reason for us all to help the elderly.

Answer 2

I agree with Pablo, my mom was less mobile and couldn't clean as much as she grew older, and unfortunately, you don't want to say it, but yes, urine plays a role in this as well. Some elderly people do, in fact, lose bladder and bowel control sometimes. I know from experience that my mom (86) would be constipated and take ex-lax or another laxative. A few hours later it would take effect with cramps and she wasn't quick getting up and going to the bathroom because of her immobility. Sad, but true. It happens.

Answer 3

I've got several opinions on this...

First, I think it might be because when people get older, they accumulate a lot of "stuff" over their life time that sits in their home and can create an "odor".

However, I also think that it could be some form of natual defense. See, I've always noticed that little kids always smell funny in large groups (to illustrate my point, get on a bus full of first or second graders). I can most associate the smell of children with copper and have often thought that perhaps it is some sort of method of protecting them, sort of giving them a foul odor to keep "predators" away. Perhaps elderly people has a different form of this natural defense?

Just a thought....

Answer 4

As you get older you will want to bend over less and your senses are not so sharp. It is hard to clean and they do not get it done as well. It is hard to reach the whole body to clean. This is the time to pay it forward and I hope someone will clean for you.