New CANADIAN research from the University of British Columbia shows scent can improve sleep. Learn how familiar scent may help dementia and Alzheimer’s patients sleep better.

Sleep disruption is one of the most common and exhausting challenges for families caring for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s. What if something as simple as scent could help?

New research from the University of British Columbia suggests that the scent of a loved one — even just from a shirt — can significantly improve sleep quality. For individuals living with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, this discovery reinforces something we already know in scent science: smell is deeply connected to the brain’s emotional and memory centres.

At Smelling Pink, we believe this research highlights the powerful role scent can play in improving wellbeing in long-term care and dementia support.

Table of Contents

1. Why Sleep Is So Difficult for Dementia Patients
2. The Science Behind Scent and Sleep
3. What the New Canadian Research Discovered
4. How Familiar Scent May Help Dementia and Alzheimer’s Patients
5. Simple Ways Families and Care Homes Can Use Scent
6. FAQ

Why Sleep Is So Difficult for Dementia Patients

Sleep disturbances are extremely common for people living with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. These may include:

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Frequent waking during the night
• Increased anxiety or agitation at bedtime
• Wandering during nighttime hours
• Day-night confusion

This happens because dementia affects the brain regions responsible for:

• Circadian rhythm regulation
• Emotional security
• Memory and familiarity

When the brain struggles to interpret its environment, comfort signals become incredibly important.

One of the most powerful comfort signals the brain recognizes is scent.

Learn more about how smell connects to the brain in our Scent Science WEB based training Program at Smelling Pink.

The Science Behind Scent and Sleep

Unlike our other senses, smell travels directly to the limbic system, the part of the brain responsible for:

• Emotion
• Memory
• Safety recognition
• Relaxation responses

This is why a familiar smell can instantly make us feel calm or safe.

For someone living with dementia, where memory and orientation are compromised, familiar scent cues can act like an emotional anchor.

What the New Canadian Research Discovered

A study conducted at the University of British Columbia explored whether scent alone could affect sleep quality.

Researchers studied 155 participants who slept with two identical pillowcases made from t-shirts:

• One shirt worn for 24 hours by their romantic partner
• One shirt worn by a stranger or left clean

Participants did not know which shirt they were using each night.

Researchers measured sleep using:

• Sleep surveys
• Wearable sleep tracking watches

The results were remarkable.

Participants who slept with their partner’s scent experienced:

• Improved sleep efficiency
• Less tossing and turning
• Better overall rest

Lead researcher Marlise Hofer reported that sleep efficiency improved by more than 2%, which is comparable to improvements seen from melatonin sleep supplements.

Even more surprising: participants slept better even when they did not realize they were smelling their partner.

Senior researcher Frances Chen noted that the scent of a loved one signals safety and comfort, helping the body relax.

How Familiar Scent May Help Dementia and Alzheimer’s Patients

For individuals living with dementia, familiar scent may be even more powerful.

A loved one’s scent may:

• Reduce anxiety at bedtime
• Provide emotional reassurance
• Trigger positive memory pathways
• Help the brain feel safe enough to rest

Because smell bypasses damaged cognitive pathways and travels directly to emotional centres, it can still reach parts of the brain that remain intact.

This is one of the reasons scent therapy is emerging as an important non-drug support strategy in dementia care.

Simple Ways Families and Care Homes Can Use Scent

Families and caregivers can try this simple approach at home or in care environments.

Try the “Comfort Shirt” Method

1. Have a loved one wear a cotton t-shirt for 24 hours.
2. Place the shirt over the pillow or near the bed.
3. Rotate shirts every few days to maintain scent.

This small step may help signal safety, familiarity, and emotional connection.

In long-term care homes, scent-based interventions can also be used to support:

• Sleep routines
• Mealtime engagement
• Memory stimulation
• Emotional regulation

This is part of the work we do through Smelling Pink’s scent science web based training programs.

Can scent really improve sleep for dementia patients?

Research shows scent can trigger emotional and memory centres in the brain. Familiar scent may reduce anxiety and create feelings of safety that support better sleep.

Does it have to be a romantic partner?

No. For dementia patients, the scent of any close loved one — a spouse, child, or caregiver — may provide comfort.

Why is smell so powerful for memory?

Smell connects directly to the limbic system, which controls emotion and memory. This connection is stronger than any other sense.

Can care homes use scent therapy?

Yes. Structured scent programs can help support sleep, appetite, emotional wellbeing, and cognitive engagement.

Discover the Power of Scent in Dementia Care

Smelling Pink provides scent science programs designed for long-term care homes, caregivers, and dementia specialists.

Learn how scent can support sleep, memory, and wellbeing.

Book a consultation today.

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Author Box

Tracy Pepe
Founder, Smelling Pink

Tracy Pepe is a pioneer in scent science and cognitive care programming, working with long-term care homes to improve quality of life through sensory engagement. Her work focuses on the connection between smell, brain health, nutrition, and emotional wellbeing.

Watch Tracy’s TED talk on the power of scent  and learn more about how scent can transform care environments.