Smell therapy improves mood, memory, and sleep in seniors. Discover how long-term care homes are reducing meds and boosting wellness with scent.

When it comes to early detection of cognitive impairment, a new study suggests that the nose knows. Researchers from Mass General Brigham developed olfactory tests—in which participants sniff odour labels placed on cards—to assess their ability to discriminate, identify, and remember odours. The study found that participants could successfully complete the test at home, and that older adults with cognitive impairment scored significantly lower than cognitively normal adults. These results, published in Scientific Reports, highlight the potential of olfactory testing as a non-invasive, accessible early screening tool.

What if the power to calm anxiety, spark memory, and reduce medication lived right under your nose? Smell therapy in long-term care is proving to be a game-changer. In our recent implementation across 11 Kinder Living homes, we observed major improvements in emotional wellness, cognition, and care efficiency—all by integrating targeted scents into daily routines. This growing body of evidence suggests that leveraging the sense of smell can both detect cognitive decline early and provide meaningful therapeutic benefits for those living with dementia and other cognitive challenges.

The implementation process took one full year to track, evaluate, and understand. During this time, we uncovered many valuable insights and tools. Scent Therapy has shown strong potential in addressing resident isolation and emotional disengagement. After creating a detailed summary for accreditation purposes, it became clear that Scent Therapy offers a simple, cost-effective solution with measurable results in long-term care.

Table of Contents

1. What is Smell Therapy?
2. The Impact of Smell Therapy in Long-Term Care
3. Successes & Improvements from the Kinder Living Report
4. Why a 25% Increase Could Double Results
5. FAQs About Smell Therapy in Senior Care
6. Book a Consultation
7. Related Resources
8. About the Author

What is Smell Therapy?

Smell Therapy, also known as olfactory stimulation, is a science-backed method that uses scent to activate memory, calm emotions, and support cognitive wellness—particularly in seniors. It’s a core element of the Smelling Pink™ approach, created specifically for long-term care homes and seniors living communities.

Our program is delivered through a web-based training model, making it accessible to even the most rural and remote areas across Canada. We provide education, research, hands-on training, and therapeutic tools that support individuals living with dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and neurodiverse conditions through the effective use of scent.

Learn more about our Smell Therapy™ program here.

How it Works

Smell Therapy is Not Aromatherapy
Unlike aromatherapy, Smell Therapy™ uses 20 specific scents, selected through research and industry expertise, including data from the field of scent marketing. These scents are introduced through existing programming on the home’s activity calendar—such as puzzle work, music, art, and one-on-one interactions.

Each resident begins with a personalized session to establish their olfactory baseline. Currently, 78.4% of seniors in long-term care have little to no sense of smell, a condition that directly impacts their emotional and physical well-being. Remarkably, just seven sessions have been shown to stimulate measurable olfactive response.

Residents engage voluntarily using disposable perfume sticks, and the program fully respects existing scent policies. In fact, we support the development of scent-friendly policy updates to ensure a safe, inclusive environment for both staff and residents.

Staff are trained to observe and document changes in mood, behaviour, and communication in real time—providing critical insights into care effectiveness.

The Impact of Smell Therapy in Long-Term Care

Measured Results from 11 Homes

• 30% Reduction in anxiety-related medications
• 65–83% Improvement in behavioural symptoms
• Higher emotional engagement and verbal responsiveness
• Improved sleep and appetite stimulation

What Residents Said

“Lavender always helps me sleep — it’s like a blanket.”
“The cinnamon bun smell made her hungry.”
“He smiled and said, ‘This smells like my mom’s baking.'”

Successes & Improvements from the Kinder Living Report

Top 3 Successes

• Emotional Connection: Even non-verbal residents responded positively to scents.
• Reduced Medication Use: Multiple homes reported reduced need for anxiety meds.
• Staff Buy-In: Simple wins helped integrate smell into daily care.

FAQ

What scents are best for seniors with dementia?

Lavender, rosemary, vanilla, and bergamot show strong results in calming anxiety and boosting recall.

Can smell therapy reduce medication use?

Yes. The Kinder Living study found up to a 30% reduction in anxiety-related medications with consistent use.

Is this therapy safe for seniors with anosmia?

Yes. Scents like eucalyptus and peppermint stimulate residual olfactory pathways, even when sense of smell is diminished.

How Do We Get Started?

We recommend beginning with a FREE introductory webinar. Smelling Pink Inc. hosts live webinars every month, offering insights into how Smell Therapy™ works and how it can be implemented in your care home.

You can also visit our YouTube channel to watch recordings of past sessions and learn at your own pace.

Ready to Retrain or Expand Smell Therapy?
Click below to schedule a consultation and explore cost-effective options for your care home.

Related Articles or Services

• What is Smell Therapy™?
• Smell Therapy for Dementia Care
• Case Study: Orchard Terrace Implementation

Meet Tracy Pepe, the Curator

Tracy Pepe is the founder of Smelling Pink™, a scent designer, perfumer, and TEDx speaker. With over 30 years of experience in scent design, Tracy has dedicated her work to sensory wellness, specializing in dementia care. She brings evidence-based olfactive stimulation to life, helping long-term care communities use the power of scent to enhance wellness and engagement.

Read Tracy’s full bio