Loss of smell (anosmia) is common after COVID-19, colds, and flu. Smelling Pink offers scent therapy kits and programs to support brain health and recovery.

One of the most overlooked but devastating symptoms of COVID-19, colds, and the flu is anosmia—the loss of smell. For a perfumer like myself, living without scent is deeply unsettling. Beyond discomfort, anosmia is now recognized as an early warning sign of serious conditions such as Parkinson’s, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. At Smelling Pink, we provide innovative tools to support health care professionals, caregivers, and families by helping individuals rebuild, measure, and stimulate their sense of smell through scent therapy.

Table of Contents

1. What Is Anosmia and Why Does It Matter?
2. COVID-19 and the Rise of Smell Loss in Canada
3. The Smell Therapy Intake Kit: Tracking Smell Health at Home
4. Scent Therapy in Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes
5. Can Scent Therapy Help Recover Smell?
6. FAQs About Anosmia and Scent Therapy
7. How to Get Started

What Is Anosmia and Why Does It Matter?

Anosmia is the partial or complete loss of smell. While it may seem like a minor inconvenience, smell is closely connected to:

• Taste and appetite (impacting nutrition and weight management)
• Memory and emotions (linked through the brain’s limbic system)
• Brain health (olfaction is directly tied to cognition and neuroplasticity)

Research shows that loss of smell can be an early indicator of Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and Alzheimer’s.

COVID-19 and the Rise of Smell Loss in Canada

Since 2020, millions of Canadians have reported anosmia during or after COVID-19. According to Statistics Canada (2023):

• Roughly 60–70% of people with COVID-19 experience temporary smell or taste loss.
• For some, smell loss persists for months or becomes permanent, impacting mental health and quality of life.
• Post-COVID conditions (often called Long COVID) are being studied for links between smell dysfunction and cognitive decline.

This data highlights the urgent need for accessible smell therapy tools.

The Smell Therapy Intake Kit: Tracking Smell Health at Home

At Smelling Pink, our Smell Therapy Intake Kit provides a simple, science-backed way to:

• Score a person’s sense of smell using a standardized scale.
• Understand if you can smell – how well is that?
• Track changes over time through guided exercises.
• Monitor progress with caregivers, families, or medical teams.

This empowers individuals and healthcare providers to recognize early warning signs while offering supportive therapies.

Learn more about the Smell Therapy Intake Kit

Scent Therapy in Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes

We work with long-term care, seniors’ living communities, and retirement homes across Canada to implement scent therapy programs that:

• Improve cognition and alertness in dementia care.
• Reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality.
• Stimulate memory recall in residents with Alzheimer’s.
• Train recreation and medical staff on integrating olfaction exercises into daily routines.

Our programs complement existing care models, such as the Butterfly Model of Dementia Care, and are proven to bring joy and calm to residents.

Can Scent Therapy Help Recover Smell?

While recovery depends on the cause, olfactory stimulation through scent therapy has been shown to:

• Increase brain activity in regions tied to smell.
• Encourage neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to adapt and form new pathways).
• Support individuals who have lost their sense of smell temporarily or permanently due to illness, injury, or aging.

FAQs About Anosmia and Scent Therapy

Q: How long does smell loss after COVID-19 last?
A: For most people, smell returns within weeks, but for others, it can last months or even years.

Q: Can smell training really help?
A: Yes—scientific research supports olfactory training as a way to retrain the brain and improve smell function over time.

Q: Is loss of smell always linked to dementia or Alzheimer’s?
A: Not always. However, persistent anosmia can be an early warning sign of neurological decline.

Q: Can scent therapy work at home?
A: Absolutely. Our Smell Therapy Intake Kit is designed for families and caregivers to use at home.

Ready to support brain health and smell recovery?
Order Your Smell Therapy Intake Kit Today

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About Tracy Pepe
Tracy Pepe is a Canadian perfumer, author, and TED Talk speaker specializing in the connection between scent, cognition, and emotional wellness. As the founder of Smelling Pink, she develops innovative scent therapy programs for individuals, families, and long-term care communities.

👉 Watch Tracy’s TED Talk: How the Nose Knows

💬 Have you or a loved one experienced smell loss after COVID-19? Share your story below—we’d love to hear from you.