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Why Do Older Adults Lose Their Sense of Taste and Smell?

Changes in smell and taste become more common with age, and smell often declines more noticeably than true taste. Age-related smell loss appears to involve several parts of the olfactory system, including a reduced ability to repair and regenerate smell-sensing cells.

Why Do Older Adults Lose Their Sense of Taste and Smell?
Senior HealthSensory Changescondition-overview
Written By: DocAi Health Editorial Team
Last Updated: 2026-09-30
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment by a qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. Health information can change and this guidance is general and US-focused, so consult a licensed clinician in your own country about your specific situation.
Changes in smell and taste become more common with age, and smell often declines more noticeably than true taste. Age-related smell loss appears to involve several parts of the olfactory system, including a reduced ability to repair and regenerate smell-sensing cells. Your taste buds, which sense sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami, often hold up better, and much of what you experience as flavor comes from aroma reaching receptors high inside your nose. This article covers why it happens, what can make it worse, and when it points to something beyond normal aging.

What's Actually Changing: Smell or Taste?

At birth you have about 10,000 taste buds, spread across your tongue, the roof of your mouth, and the lining of your throat, and according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), you may start to lose some of them after age 50. NIDCD also describes true taste loss as rare. What changes more often is your sense of smell.
When you chew, aromas travel up the back of your throat to smell receptors high inside your nasal cavity, a process called retronasal smell. Your brain blends that aroma signal with the taste signals from your tongue into what you perceive as flavor. Damage or decline anywhere along that smell pathway can make food taste flat even though your taste buds are working normally. NIDCD reports that most people who think they have a taste disorder actually have a problem with smell.
Smell problems become more common with each decade of adult life. According to NIDCD's quick statistics, measurable smell impairment affects about 4 percent of Americans ages 40 to 49, 11 percent of those ages 50 to 59, 13 percent of those ages 60 to 69, 25 percent of those ages 70 to 79, and 39 percent of those ages 80 and older. Across all adults over age 40, roughly 1 in 8 has measurable smell dysfunction. Even in the oldest group, more than half of people do not have measurable smell impairment, so the change is common but not universal.
Taste itself can shift somewhat too. When food seems less flavorful, some people add extra salt or sugar, which NIDCD cautions can be a problem for people with high blood pressure or diabetes.

Why This Happens With Age

The cells that detect odors, called olfactory sensory neurons, are unusual because the body replaces them throughout life. That regenerative capacity appears to decline with age, so cells lost to ordinary wear may not be replaced as quickly. A 2020 review of age-related olfactory dysfunction notes that the cause in people remains largely unknown, while work in laboratory animals points to fewer mature smell neurons, slower production of new ones, and smell-sensing lining replaced by ordinary nasal lining.
Beyond aging itself, some medications can change taste or smell. NIDCD names some common antibiotics and antihistamines, and Mayo Clinic lists beta blockers and ACE inhibitors, which are used to treat blood pressure and heart conditions. Dry mouth, a side effect of many medications, is linked to taste changes too: NIDCD reports that about 43 percent of adults 40 and older with persistent dry mouth noticed a change in their sense of taste.
If a change appeared around the time you started a new prescription, mention that timing to your doctor or pharmacist, who can decide whether the medicine is involved. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own, as NIDCD advises. If you take many medicines, our article on taking many medications as an older adult covers that topic in more depth.
NIDCD reports that smell impairment is more common in men than in women, although the reasons for this difference are not fully understood. It is a measurable physical change, not something to dismiss as simply getting old.

Conditions and Habits That Can Make It Worse

Several conditions and habits can speed up or deepen this decline beyond ordinary aging:
  • Smoking is linked to a higher risk of smell loss, and Mayo Clinic notes that quitting can help restore the sense of smell, although recovery varies.
  • Chronic sinus disease, including nasal polyps and long term allergies, can block odor molecules from reaching smell receptors. If a stuffy nose has lasted a long time, our article on chronic nasal congestion covers the common causes.
  • Viral infections, including colds, the flu, and COVID-19, can damage the smell pathway and sometimes cause loss that lasts for months.
  • Head or facial injury can damage the delicate nerve fibers that carry smell signals to the brain.
  • Radiation therapy for head or neck cancer can damage taste and smell tissue as a side effect of treatment.
  • Neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease can be associated with an early, sometimes unnoticed, decline in smell that appears before other symptoms.
  • Poor dental health, including gum disease and poorly fitting dentures, can dull taste and contribute to a persistent bad taste in the mouth.
  • Diabetes has also been associated with changes in taste and smell in some people, although medication effects, dry mouth, nerve changes, and other health factors may all contribute.
NIDCD notes that a smell disorder can be an early sign of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, or multiple sclerosis. Smell loss has several more common explanations, such as aging, sinus problems, and medications, and on its own it does not mean a person has Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, or another neurologic disorder. If memory changes are your main worry, see our article on early signs of dementia versus normal aging.

Living With It: Appetite, Safety, and Mood

When food stops tasting like much, eating can stop feeling worthwhile, and some people eat less as a result. NIDCD notes that some people with impaired smell eat too little and lose weight, while others eat too much and gain weight. Eating too little over time can lead to unintended weight loss and poor nutrition; if appetite loss on its own is your main concern, see our article on losing your appetite with age for a closer look at that overlapping issue.
Smell is also a warning system. NIDCD describes it as a first warning signal for spoiled food, a gas leak, or smoke from a fire. When that warning system weakens, those hazards can go undetected. Working smoke alarms, checking expiration dates by the calendar rather than by smell, and having gas appliances inspected regularly become more important once your sense of smell has declined. If you suspect a gas leak or a fire, leave the building and call 911 from outside rather than staying to investigate.
Do not rely on smell alone to decide whether food is safe to eat; go by the date on the package and how long leftovers have been stored. If you eat something that may have been spoiled, the CDC advises seeing a doctor for severe symptoms such as bloody diarrhea, a high fever, vomiting so often that you cannot keep liquids down, or signs of dehydration. Call 911 for trouble breathing or swallowing, double vision or drooping eyelids, swelling of the face or throat, fainting, severe confusion, or very little or no urine along with vomiting or diarrhea.
Beyond appetite and safety, taste and smell shape everyday pleasure. Shared meals, holiday cooking, and the smell of coffee in the morning are part of how people stay connected to daily life. Losing that can contribute to low mood or withdrawal from social meals, and NIDCD notes that in severe cases loss of smell can lead to depression, so it is worth raising with a doctor rather than treating as something to simply live with.
If you are caring for or checking in on an older relative, changes in taste and smell are easy to miss because they develop slowly and the person experiencing them may not think to mention it. Noticing that a parent has started adding much more salt or hot sauce to food, has lost interest in meals they used to enjoy, or has lost weight without trying (our guide to unexplained weight loss in older adults covers that last sign) are all worth asking about gently and directly.

Red Flags Beyond Ordinary Aging

Gradual taste and smell decline over years is common and, on its own, is usually not an emergency. A handful of situations point to something other than ordinary aging and deserve prompt attention.
Sudden loss of smell or taste by itself is not one of the classic stroke warning signs, and it does not appear on the CDC list of stroke signs and symptoms. That list does include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side), sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech, sudden trouble seeing, sudden trouble walking or loss of balance, and a sudden severe headache with no known cause. Any of those calls for 911 right away, with or without a change in smell or taste, because stroke treatment works best when it starts early.
One way to remember the classic stroke warning signs is the acronym FAST: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911. If sudden taste or smell loss appears together with any of those signs, call 911 rather than waiting to see whether it improves.
A blow to the head followed by a headache that keeps getting worse, repeated vomiting, a seizure, weakness or numbness, slurred speech, confusion, unusual drowsiness, or loss of consciousness needs emergency evaluation whether or not your sense of smell has changed. A sudden loss of smell or taste right after a head injury also deserves emergency evaluation, since head injury can damage the nerves that carry smell signals.
Other changes are not emergencies but are still worth a same day or next available appointment: a loss of smell or taste that came on suddenly without stroke symptoms, which can follow a viral illness, including COVID-19; a change that started soon after a new medication (ask the prescriber before stopping anything); taste or smell loss along with noticeable weight loss or loss of interest in eating; tremor, stiffness, or balance problems that have developed gradually alongside the sensory change; or a persistent bad, metallic, or bitter taste that does not go away. Our article on causes of a metallic taste in the mouth covers that last symptom in more detail.

What Can Help

A good place to start is your primary care doctor or an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT). They can review your medications for ones known to affect taste or smell, check for nasal polyps or chronic sinusitis, and test how well you detect and identify odors and tastes to establish a baseline.
Smell training involves sniffing a small set of strong scents on a schedule. Mayo Clinic describes four scents for about 10 to 20 seconds each, twice a day, for at least three months, and the original research protocol used rose, lemon, clove, and eucalyptus. A 2024 meta-analysis of 36 studies found an overall benefit, with large differences between studies, and the gains were larger for loss that followed a respiratory infection. For age-related smell loss the evidence is still preliminary, so a clinician or ENT can advise whether smell training is appropriate for you.
For everyday cooking, lean on what still works. Texture, temperature contrast, and visual presentation all register even when smell does not. NIDCD suggests preparing food with a variety of colors and textures and using aromatic herbs and hot spices for flavor instead of adding more salt or sugar. Fresh herbs, citrus, garlic, vinegar, and a bit of heat from chili add sensation without relying on aroma alone, and serving food warm rather than lukewarm can bring out more of the flavor that remains.
Good oral hygiene, treatment of gum disease, well fitting dentures, and staying hydrated to manage dry mouth all support what taste sensation you still have. These steps may not restore smell on their own, but they address other things that can dull flavor at the same time.
Recovery depends on the cause. Smell loss after a viral infection often improves over time, but recovery varies widely and can take weeks, months, or longer in some people. Loss linked to a treatable problem, such as a medication, a nasal polyp, or a dental problem, may improve when that problem is treated. Age-related smell loss is usually more gradual, and no treatment has been established to reverse it, though good sinus and dental care can still make a meaningful difference day to day.

When to Seek Medical Care

When to Seek Urgent or Emergency Care

Most taste and smell changes in older adults happen gradually over months or years and are not an emergency on their own, but a sudden change, especially alongside other symptoms, needs prompt medical evaluation. This guidance is in addition to, not a replacement for, the general disclaimer above.

Emergency, call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately if:

  • Signs of a stroke, with or without a change in smell or taste: facial drooping on one side, numbness or weakness in an arm or leg, slurred or garbled speech, sudden confusion, sudden trouble seeing, sudden loss of balance, or a sudden severe headache.
  • A head injury followed by a headache that keeps getting worse, repeated vomiting, a seizure, weakness or numbness, slurred speech, confusion, unusual drowsiness, or loss of consciousness, or a sudden loss of smell or taste right after the injury.
  • You cannot smell well and suspect a gas leak, smoke, or fire in your home right now. Leave the building immediately and call 911 from outside.
  • After eating food you could not tell was spoiled: trouble breathing or swallowing, double vision or drooping eyelids, swelling of the face or throat, fainting, severe confusion, or very little or no urine along with vomiting or diarrhea.

See a doctor soon (same-day or next available appointment) if:

  • Smell or taste loss that came on suddenly, without any signs of stroke.
  • Taste or smell changes that started soon after beginning a new medication. Ask the prescriber before stopping or changing it.
  • Loss of smell or taste along with unintentional weight loss or a loss of interest in eating.
  • Loss of smell that is not improving after a cold or COVID-19 infection.
  • New taste or smell changes along with tremor, stiffness, or balance problems that have developed gradually.
  • A persistent bad, metallic, or bitter taste in the mouth that does not go away.
  • Vomiting that leaves you unable to keep fluids down, bloody diarrhea, or a fever after eating food you could not tell was spoiled. Go to the emergency room instead if you also feel faint or confused or pass very little urine.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal for older adults to lose their sense of taste and smell?

To some degree, yes. Smell problems become more common with age, and NIDCD reports measurable smell impairment in about 13 percent of Americans ages 60 to 69 and 39 percent of those 80 and older. True taste loss is rare. Slow change over years is common, but a sudden change deserves medical attention.

Why does everything taste bland to my elderly parent?

Much of what people call taste is actually smell, sensed as aromas travel from the mouth to receptors inside the nose while chewing. When that pathway weakens with age, medication, or sinus problems, food can taste flat even though the taste buds still work. A doctor can look for treatable causes, such as a medication or a nasal or dental problem.

Can medications cause loss of taste or smell in older adults?

Yes, some can. NIDCD lists some common antibiotics and antihistamines, and Mayo Clinic lists beta blockers and ACE inhibitors, among medicines that may affect taste or smell. If a change started around the time a new prescription began, mention that timing to the prescriber or a pharmacist, and do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

Does losing your sense of smell mean you have Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease?

No, not by itself. Smell loss has several more common explanations, such as aging, sinus problems, or medications. It can appear early in Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease for some people, so a doctor may ask about it during a broader evaluation, but on its own it does not diagnose either condition.

Can you get your sense of taste or smell back?

It depends on the cause. Smell loss after a viral infection often improves over time, but recovery varies widely and can take weeks, months, or longer. Loss linked to a treatable problem, such as a medication or a nasal polyp, may improve when that problem is treated. No treatment has been established to reverse age-related loss.

What is smell training and does it actually work?

Smell training involves sniffing a small set of strong scents, often rose, lemon, clove, and eucalyptus, on a regular schedule. Mayo Clinic describes about 10 to 20 seconds per scent, twice a day, for at least three months. Results vary, and evidence is stronger for loss after a viral illness than for age-related loss. It is low risk and worth discussing with a doctor.

How can older adults make food taste better despite smell loss?

Lean on senses that still work: texture, temperature, and how a plate looks. NIDCD suggests aromatic herbs and hot spices instead of extra salt or sugar, which can be a problem for people with high blood pressure or diabetes. Fresh herbs, citrus, garlic, and a touch of chili add sensation without depending on aroma.

When should an older adult see a doctor about taste or smell changes?

See a doctor soon if the change came on suddenly, started after a new medication, comes with unintentional weight loss, or includes a persistent bad or metallic taste. Call 911 if sudden loss appears alongside stroke warning signs such as facial drooping, weakness, slurred speech, sudden confusion, or sudden trouble seeing or keeping your balance.
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