Why do old people smell so bad?!
Question: Why do old people smell so bad?
I just noticed the house is so old fashioned and they smelled so bad. It's like they haven't took a shower in two years(maybe more).
Why does it happen that the elder people smell so poorly? And what is a way to prevent it when I'm old?
Answers:
They may smell bad for two reasons:
1. They have lost their sense of smell and don't know they smell bad. I read in an advice column once that a woman's elderly mother remarked that when she got old she stopped having any body odor, so didn't bother showering and doing laundry as often.
2. They are afraid to get into the shower because they might fall getting in and out, slip on the wet floor or otherwise hurt themselves. They're at an age when they may never come home from a broken hip.
They probably have a hard time taking showers because it gets harder to do daily things when you're body is in pain from old age. Ways to prevent it? I wouldn't worry, it's obvious you are very young just enjoy it while it lasts.
I have been a caretaker for the elderly.
They may not be aware of the odor because of a diminished sense of smell or the habituation of constant exposure to the same smells. It is not easy to bathe and sometimes even unsafe. They may not be able to control bowel or bladder functions. The things that make it hard to smell nice can't be prevented.
Some medications cause odors to be leaked out of pores. But you can't be too harsh on them, people get used to the smell that surrounds them. Heck, you might stink yourself and not even notice it =D
People do not smell bad because they're old. They smell bad because they don't bathe. I used to work in a senior citizens home and I can guarantee that.
It's the smell of rotting flesh. The only way to prevent it is to never get old.
as we age we fart more, so you were basically in a huge dutch oven
Lol.
It takes a lot of energy to take a shower. No really it does. When you are old and cant move as swiftly even the small tasks of showering can be very hard.
Also, taking a shower is usually associated with going out. If your grandparents never leave their house then perhaps they don't have a reason to take a shower on a daily basis.
Stinks and Smells. When you live with a constant smell your ability to recognize its odor starts to weaken. Eventually you get used to the smell no matter how bad it is. Pig farmers and sanitation workers are perfect examples of individuals who have been around bad smells so much, they don't even recognize them anymore.
If you pair this with getting old, at a certain age your ability to smell things starts to diminish. Some elderly people even lose their sense of taste. If you combine this with the above, well then you have the perfect mix for a smelly house.
Knowing these things will prevent you from smelling when you get old. So don't worry about it so much.
(If your grandfather smokes Cigars, this can also cause their house to stink. In my opinion, some Cigars smells like urine.)