Old person Smell

According to one lecture I had at university the smell is due to the kidneys not working as well as when young and the body then excretes toxins through the skin. Its not a BO smell and not everyone can smell it, like some other smells (ketones for example) the ability to smell it is genetic.
I remember with my parents it was slightly sour and am now noticing it with my father in law aged 92. Both bathed/shower every day.
I've just bought the Japanese soap, it was delivered yesterday and seems really nice.

Anybody had an email from ebay asking if they are still interested in old person/man smell? It's advertising Japanese nonenal removal soap.

Hmm Big Brother is watching then .....!!

My granddaughter aged 4 said to me a little while ago, "I love your smell Nanny you always smell of flowers" if you keep clean and your clothes and house clean I don't think you have too much to worry about!!! and I feel the cold and rarely open a window!!!

Maybe all this worry is to do with the fears of what old age is doing to our bodies.

Gaunt47 you are absolutely right of course and that's what I remind DH!

Bluesky - Marilyn Monroe was asked by a cheeky journalist what she wore in bed. Chanel No. 5 she replied!

Nonenol. What a great user name for a Gransnetter ?

As a child I went to visit a great Aunt with my mother. I was only 7 and asked what the smell was. My mother was furious with me for asking in front of Great Aunt but after she told me often old people smell just before death. I have recognised the same smell in a few homes of elderly but only usually a few weeks before they die when they are very ill. I believe their body gives off different hormones. I smelt it at my Grans shortly before she died form cancer and another elderly family friend too. They both died of cancer so I wonder if that was what I smelt. I do know some dogs can be trained to smell cancer.

Saggy bottom muscles and flatulence, nice. How does that work in a Pilates class please?

I've just googled Nonenol and all it came up with was a chemical ingredient of some perfumes that smelt of cucumber!

Slightly off topic my DH reckons classic perfume like Chanel no 5, which I love, it's an old ladies' scent!

When I think of my Mother in her elderly years I think of the smell of detol as she was a careful housekeeper and my MIL smells of some similar cleaner, when I leave her house even my hair smells of it so I must wash t on my return and I have to air my clothes out.

All I can say is that I haven't smelt that musty old person smell for many decades and as I go about my life, I meet very few people who do smell unpleasant or have a distinctive odour - of any age -

Although interesting, I find this thread depressing.

The older generation often had great pride in a spotless wash. I can’t remember the old people smell at home and my granny was in her nineties. She only ever used L’Occitane soap! My grandfather was also extremely fastidious, clean shirts etc every day, I also, as a child, slept with one or other of my aunts, when on holiday, and loved it, they smelt so fresh, always, of clean nighties and soap. In fact I was thinking about them the other day, before I saw this thread, and hoping I smelt as fresh as they did.

Last post was to Fennel

Yes. I am plagued with that. So embarrassing. But I think mine have got quieter these days. Something to do with muscles sagging.

I forgot to mention I drink green tea daily.......maybe that is why I can't smell it on anyone else? ......

Of course the old people back in the day did not have washing machines.....
huge difference, we can all manage clean clothes.

I've just realised - I go to an 'Old Ladies' group twice a week and haven't noticed any smells at all. I'm 83.
Maybe our sense of smell declines after 70+.
Passing wind - I do have that problem, if I've been sitting on my recliner then get up. Probably due to weakening of the anal muscles.

I mean washing down there with plain water. Can't deny ourselves Nice smelly stuffeverywhere else.

Some of these responses are great for my diet - I feel quite sick now, no lunch for me. Too much information some ladies Yuk.

Grandtante, maybe you have bacterial vaginosis. Only remedy for that is washing with just water.

I think this sounds a great excuse to all but ourselves some very luxurious bodywash and perfume.
My mother is 87, aunt is 82, mil 80, none of them smell.

I'm not denying the existence of nonenal, but I don't think it would make you smell if you have a daily bath or a good shower.

Perhaps very old people, say 99 plus, just don't bath so often. Can't blame them really.

I know if I'm nervous about something , my sweat smells different to hard worked sweat ! They say that animals can smell fear , and I remember a programme in which a lady could smell Parkinsons .
The body is fascinating .