Home Instead Senior Care Southeast Houston, Webster, Pasadena, Baytown, League City, Houston Bay Area Helping Seniors Living at Home with home health - Call us 281-484-0200.

The senses of taste and smell are so closely linked, that the loss of one can directly impact the other. It’s no secret in the elder care industry that some changes of these senses occur as a part of the natural process of aging, since taste buds diminish with age and there is a degeneration of the nerves that control smell. However, it’s not just aging alone that results in a more drastic inability to perceive smells or tastes; other health factors can further influence the decline of the senses.

• Nasal Problems – simple nasal obstructions like colds, allergies, and irritants from cigarette smoke and pollutants can cause loss of smell and in turn attribute to loss of taste. More serious nasal complications like sinusitis (sinus infections) or nasal polyps (small non-cancerous growths in the nasal passage) can also results in temporary loss of the senses
• Medications – some prescription medications like certain antibiotics, blood pressure treatments and chemotherapy can dull the senses
• Surgery or Head Trauma – temporary loss of scent or taste may occur due to blocking scar tissue, or permanent damage can be the result if nerves are severed or missing
• Dental problems – tooth decay, gum infections, or sores can cause the loss of taste sense
• Diseases – in rare cases, neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s can result in loss of senses

While seniors may enjoy not being able to smell offending odors or taste unpleasant foods, loss or decline of the senses needs to be taken seriously because it can result in nutritional problems and poor overall health. Older adults should consult with an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist to obtain a proper diagnosis. A medical professional may use scratch and sniff methods or taste tests to evaluate the decline that has occurred, and if necessary may use an endoscope, CAT scan or X-ray to get a closer look at the throat and sinus passages. 

In many cases, treatment to reverse the affects of sense loss rely only upon simple lifestyle changes or minor medical procedures, and with proper advice and attention it can greatly improve the quality of life for an older adult.

Home Instead caregivers are on hand to help you prepare meals that are tasty and nutritious for your loved one.

Sources: http://www.american-rhinologic.org/patientinfo.loss.phtml
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/loss-of-taste-and-smell/AN01198