Why do old people have that distinct smell? Its so wierd.?

Answer 1

This is very frequently asked question, on many different forums. I will take it as a legitimate question, and not meant to be rude or insulting.

The medications that older people must be on to have a reasonable quality of life can also affect their metabolism in ways that might affect their body odour - even some foods do this, such as garlic, or beer. Some folks live in housing situations where they don't have free and easy access to private bathing facilities - in nursing homes for example, and other situations where they might need someone else's help to wash. Their freedom to wash their clothes frequently might also not be what you and I are used to. Those who wear dentures might also be having difficulty cleaning those; or other dental problems could exist that they cannot afford to address.

They also tend to be very frugal with money and keep clothing, furniture, bedding, etc long past the time it should be discarded.

Answer 2

Not all old people have the smell. However, some old people do not bathe as much, nor do they wash their clothes as they used to or take clothes to the cleaners. As their abilities, both mentally and physically diminish, they become unkept. These are the main culprits. When my parents were living with me during the last years of their lives, I dreaded thinking that my house might smell as theirs did. So, I made sure they bathed, and I washed everything each week including the clothes they wore, bedding, towels, etc.

Answer 3

Depending upon the person you are talking about, I am not sure that you can combine all older people in this category. I know that when I used to visit my mom in a home, there was a rancid smell sometimes of urine and old clothes. My mom did not. My sister and I made sure that she dressed well, had her hair and nails done and smelled sweet. SHe loved her own cologne and perfume. I think much of it is the caregiver not caring, and sometimes, it might just be the older person is unable to care for themselves physically as they should.

Answer 4

It's probably an odor that was popular in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. When today's younger generations reach old age our grandchildren will wonder why we all smell like incense, hair conditioning products and sports deodorant.

Answer 5

As your body ages your natural odors caused by bacteria become more pronounced due to the deterioration of enzymes that consume the bacteria. Also it is due to diet and one condition that seems to be prevalent with old age...halitosis (or bad breath). When you get older and in some cases less active your body just doesn't function like it used to. Also it is due to the medications that they take and hygene in general. My Nana had a distinctive odor as well that got complicated and worsened with her incontinence till her death in 2000. For the longest time she had the smell of garlic and bad breath. It is not wholly controlable but can be managed with proper hygene.

Answer 6

Human Pheromones deteriorate along with the human body as we get older. This is natures way of using natural selection to take the old and weak out of the reproductive circle of life.

As evidence, I bet the last thing you think of when you encounter that smell is reproduction!

Answer 7

Old people do not have a distinctive smell....SOME old people do..I think that as some people grow older, live alone, they do not bathe as often as they should...it is called "getting lazy." Simple as that. Their houses often smell the same way, sorry to say. I hope I don't get that old!

Answer 8

I believe it's were as we get older our pores get larger and no matter what we do there's that body smell.

Answer 9

Try not to shower for several days and you will know why.

I am not being dis-respctfull because I do have some elderly relatives. But when people gets older they become more lazy to take a bath.

Answer 10

It all depends how clean you keep yourself. I know a senior who is cleaner, more well dressed then any teenager around.