Scent therapy improves cognition and reduces neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia. Discover how scent enhances multi-sensory care for seniors.

Smell is the Forgotten Sense in Dementia Care—But It Shouldn’t Be

Did you know that 78.4% of individuals in long-term care or senior living communities have lost their sense of smell or have a weak response? Research shows that multi-sensory stimulation therapy, including scent, significantly reduces neuropsychiatric symptoms and enhances cognitive function in older adults with dementia.

A 2024 meta-analysis by Tiara Octary and colleagues (PMCID: PMC12183989) confirmed what many practitioners already believe: engaging the senses—especially smell—can transform dementia care.

That’s where Smelling Pink’s web-based Scent Therapy training comes in. Our approach gives caregivers a powerful, science-backed tool to boost memory, trigger joy, and support communication in older adults with dementia.

Table of Contents

1. What Is Scent Therapy?
2. Why Multi-Sensory Stimulation Works
3. Best Practices for Scent Therapy in Dementia Care
4. How to Get Started
5. FAQs
6. Book a Discovery Call

What Is Scent Therapy?

Scent Therapy is a multi-sensory intervention using targeted aromas to activate the olfactory system and connect to emotional and memory centres in the brain.

Smelling Pink delivers this as a web-based training module designed for caregivers, recreation staff, and healthcare teams working in long-term care and seniors living communities. Each training consists of 4 modules, 75+ minutes each, and includes best practice case studies and a scent kit to service 20 residents.

Learn more about our training program.

Why Multi-Sensory Stimulation Works

The Science:
According to the 2024 meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, multi-sensory stimulation therapies—including smell, sound, and touch—have been proven to:

• Improve cognition
• Decrease agitation
• Enhance social engagement
• Support emotional regulation

Why Scent?
Smell bypasses the thalamus and goes straight to the limbic system, which governs emotion and memory. This makes scent a direct and effective therapeutic tool.

When paired with other senses, such as music, taste, and visuals, the results are even more profound.

Best Practices for Scent Therapy in Dementia Care

Here are three real-world examples from our training program, all of these scents are included within our scent kit:

1. Drumming + Vetiver or Patchouli

Rhythmic sound paired with grounding scents like vetiver and patchouli help calm residents, especially those with sundowning or high anxiety.

2. Coffee Chat + Cake Scents

Hold morning coffee socials where residents taste coffee while smelling vanilla or birthday cake scents. The result? Elevated mood, appetite stimulation, and meaningful conversation.

3. Visual Murals + Scent Matching

Use colourful murals or memory walls paired with a 15-minute scent therapy session—specifically the Scent Game.
In this interactive activity, residents are invited to guess the differences between citrus scents like lime, mandarin, and lemon. While it may seem simple, the game is both challenging and rewarding. The lemon aroma, in particular, has been shown to help release serotonin, promoting relaxation and emotional uplift.

On average, improvement in scent detection occurs within 7 sessions. Some residents respond immediately with memory recall, laughter, or emotional stories.

How to Get Started

Our online platform makes it easy.
We provide:

• Step-by-step training modules
• Downloadable worksheets
• A scent toolkit delivered to your care home
• Live support and implementation coaching

Ready to build a sensory space in your home or enhance your current programming?

Book your discovery call today or experience our scent kits.

FAQ

What is multi-sensory stimulation therapy?

It’s a therapeutic approach that uses more than one sense—such as touch, sight, smell, sound, and taste—to improve brain function, emotional health, and behaviour.

How does scent therapy improve memory?

Scent activates the limbic system, which is responsible for memory and emotion. This can trigger memories in people with dementia more reliably than visuals or words alone.

How long until we see results?

Most clients report improvements in smell recognition and mood within 7 sessions. Some see responses in as little as one session.

Can this reduce medication needs?

Yes. Many homes using Scent Therapy report reduced anxiety, better sleep, and fewer behavioural interventions—leading to a decreased need for certain medications.

Start your scent therapy journey today.
Transform dementia care with a sensory-rich approach backed by science.
Schedule a free consultation or explore our scent kits designed specifically for long term care needs

Related Articles & Resources

• Scent and Childhood Anxiety: A Mother’s Journey Through Smell
• Why Smell Is So Important
• Understanding Non-Verbal Communication from Smelling

About the Author

Tracy Pepe, founder of Smelling Pink, is a TED Speaker, scent designer, and author specializing in scent’s role in cognition and wellness. With over 25 years of experience, Tracy leads education and research to integrate olfactory therapy into dementia care.

Watch her TED Talk – How the Nose Knows
Learn more about Tracy.