Smell loss may signal changes in brain health. Learn how smell training and our long-term care research are changing senior care.

What if your sense of smell could provide an early warning signal for your brain?

Smell loss is increasingly recognized as one of the earliest indicators associated with changes in neurological health. A recent article from The Washington Post, “How improving your sense of smell could save your brain,” highlights emerging research showing that smell training may play an important role in supporting cognitive health and maintaining the brain’s ability to process information.

For years, smell has been considered a simple sensory function — something connected mainly to taste and enjoyment. However, modern neuroscience is revealing that the olfactory system is deeply connected to memory, emotion, cognition, and overall brain function.

At Smelling Pink Inc. and My Nose Initiative Inc., this science has been at the centre of our work: transforming how we understand smell, how we assess older adults, and how we improve the future of long-term care through policy, education, and awareness.

Table of Contents

• Why Smell Matters for Brain Health
• The Connection Between Smell Loss and Neurodegenerative Disease
• Why Long-Term Care Needs a New Approach to Intake Assessments
• Our White Paper: Changing the Future of Long-Term Care
• Moving From Awareness to Action
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Take Action: Supporting Better Aging Outcomes

Main Content Sections

Why Smell Matters for Brain Health

The sense of smell is one of the most powerful connections between the outside world and the brain. Unlike many other senses, the olfactory system has direct pathways to areas responsible for:

• Memory formation
• Emotional processing
• Learning
• Recognition
• Safety and environmental awareness

Research has shown that changes in the ability to smell can occur years before symptoms of some neurodegenerative diseases become obvious.

This means smell is not just about detecting scents — it may provide valuable insight into changes happening within the brain.

At Smelling Pink, we believe smell should be recognized as an important component of healthy aging, assessment, and personalized care.

Learn more about our scent science approach

The Connection Between Smell Loss and Neurodegenerative Disease

Loss of smell, known as olfactory dysfunction, has been associated with conditions including:

• Dementia
• Parkinson’s disease
• Cognitive decline
• Changes in neurological function

The challenge is that smell is rarely included in traditional healthcare assessments.

When an older adult enters long-term care, the focus is often placed on mobility, medications, physical health, and cognitive screening. While these areas are essential, an important piece of information may be missing:

How well can the person smell?

A change in smell ability may influence:

• Appetite and nutrition
• Safety awareness
• Quality of life
• Emotional connection
• Early identification of health changes

Why Long-Term Care Needs a New Approach to Intake Assessments

The transition into long-term care is a critical moment. The initial intake assessment establishes the foundation for understanding a resident’s needs, risks, preferences, and opportunities for personalized support.

Our work is focused on asking an important question:

Should smell assessment become part of the standard long-term care intake process?

At My Nose Initiative Inc., we have completed a detailed white paper examining the role of olfactory science in long-term care and how integrating smell awareness could improve resident outcomes.

Our research explores:

Policy Change

Creating awareness among decision-makers that sensory health, including smell and taste, deserves recognition within aging and healthcare strategies.

Education

Supporting healthcare professionals, caregivers, and families with knowledge about the importance of smell and brain health.

Awareness

Changing the conversation so that smell is no longer overlooked as we support older adults.

Our White Paper: Changing the Future of Long-Term Care

The future of long-term care requires innovation, evidence-based approaches, and a willingness to rethink existing systems.

Our white paper brings together:

• Current scientific research on olfaction
• Healthcare perspectives
• Long-term care best practices
• Feedback from healthcare professionals and stakeholders

The goal is not simply to introduce smell testing.

The goal is to encourage a broader shift in how we understand aging, prevention, and personalized care.

By identifying changes earlier, we create opportunities to improve quality of life, strengthen care planning, and better support residents, families, and healthcare teams.

Moving From Awareness to Action

The conversation around aging must evolve.

We cannot wait until challenges become crises before looking for opportunities to improve outcomes.

The work of Smelling Pink and My Nose Initiative focuses on creating meaningful change through:

Research

Building the evidence base needed to support innovation in healthcare.

Education

Helping healthcare providers understand the relationship between smell, cognition, and resident wellbeing.

Advocacy

Working with policymakers and healthcare leaders to improve the systems that support older adults.

The Washington Post article highlights an important message:

Your sense of smell matters.

Our work takes that message one step further:

The healthcare system needs to start paying attention.

FAQ

Can smell loss be an early sign of dementia?

Yes. Changes in smell ability have been associated with early changes in brain function and may occur before some cognitive symptoms become noticeable.

Can smell training improve your sense of smell?

Research suggests that repeated exposure to specific scents, known as smell training, may help improve olfactory function and stimulate brain pathways involved in sensory processing.

Why should long-term care homes consider smell assessment?

Including smell awareness during intake assessments may provide additional information about nutrition, safety, quality of life, and potential cognitive changes.

What is Smelling Pink’s role in changing long-term care?

Smelling Pink Inc. focuses on scent science education and training, while My Nose Initiative Inc. focuses on research, awareness, and policy change related to olfactory health.

How can healthcare organizations learn more?

Healthcare organizations can connect with Smelling Pink to explore education programs, research initiatives, and opportunities to improve resident outcomes.

Help Us Change the Future of Long-Term Care

Understanding smell is understanding more about the person.

We are working to bring olfactory science into conversations about aging, dementia prevention, resident wellbeing, and healthcare innovation.

Related Articles or Services

• Olfactive Science: Why Loss of Smell Is a Critical Indicator of Mental and Physical Well-Being
• Why Ingredient Quality Matters in Scent Therapy
• How Scent Science Improves Sleep and Protects Brain Wiring
• Scent Therapy for Isolation in Seniors
• Play and Scent: A Powerful Duo for Seniors’ Mental Health

About the Author

Tracy Pepe
Founder, Smelling Pink Inc.
Founder, My Nose Initiative Inc.

Tracy Pepe is an advocate, researcher, educator, and innovator focused on transforming how we understand the connection between smell, brain health, and aging.

Through Smelling Pink and My Nose Initiative, Tracy works to advance awareness, education, and policy change within long-term care by highlighting the overlooked role of olfactory science.

Her work focuses on bringing evidence-based innovation into healthcare systems to improve resident outcomes and support healthier aging.

Learn more about Tracy’s work: 
Watch Tracy’s TED Talk: