When we begin to age, our bodies go through an extraordinary number of changes, and this includes the way we look, act, and even smell, unfortunately. If not taken care of correctly, some elderly people may develop a 'musty' or 'medicinal' smell, which they may not even be able to notice themselves. Luckily, there are quite a few things you can do to prevent yourself or a loved one from developing such an odor, and here are some of the most effective ones:
1. Avoid spending time in enclosed spaces
As we get older, many of us tend to end up spending a lot of time living in small enclosed environments. The minimal amount of fresh air that is let in will contribute to the dreaded musty smell that puts many people off. To counter this, make sure you keep your windows open as much as possible throughout the day.
2. Clean Your Living Areas (and Yourself) Regularly
One of the unfortunate results of aging is the stiffening of the joints, which may make cleaning your house and your body quite a daunting task. However, this will cause quite a buildup of bacteria, mold, and odor that could eventually become overpowering to anyone who's not used to it. Do your best to keep yourself and your home as clean as possible, and don't be afraid to ask for help if you can't keep up.
3. Do the Laundry Regularly
If old age is preventing you from washing your clothes regularly, they'll end up smelling stale and musty, and this smell may even creep onto your body when you're wearing them. We'd recommend purchasing some strong-smelling laundry detergent to help keep your clothes smelling fresh for a lot longer.
4. Stay Hydrated
As we start to age, our bodies become a lot less efficient at retaining the water we consume. We also find it a lot more difficult to determine how hydrated we actually are. Since the effects of dehydration have been found to be far from pleasant, always make sure that you drink an adequate amount of water every day.
5. Pay Attention to Your Breath
Elderly people tend to produce a lot less saliva than the rest of us, and this could result in an unpleasant case of halitosis, which may even be amplified in people who wear dentures. When washing your mouth, make sure that you're as thorough as possible, and always use mouthwash!
