Unpacking Odour Bias in Long-Term Care Environments | The Truth Behind Scent-Free Policies
Unpacking Odour Bias in Long-Term Care Environments | The Truth Behind Scent-Free Policies
Author
TracyPepe
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Author
TracyPepe
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Smelling Pink explores how odour bias in long-term care homes affects the success of scent therapy. Discover why all scents—pleasant or not—can support cognition and wellness.
Introduction: Why Odour Bias Limits the Impact of Scent Therapy
Years ago, I worked on a project to reduce the offensive smell of cat urine by adding fragrance to kitty litter. While the new scent was more tolerable to humans, the cat refused to use the litter box.
This illustrates a vital truth: odour perception is subjective, and efforts to control or change it without understanding context can backfire.
In long-term care homes, we see a similar situation unfold. Caregivers often filter scent choices through their own preferences. Yet, scents that are unpleasant to staff may hold therapeutic value for residents. This bias limits the full potential of Smelling Pink’s scent therapy approach.
Table of Contents
- Understanding Odour Bias in Long-Term Care
- Why “Unpleasant” Scents Still Matter
- The Science Behind Aromas and Cognition
- Recommendations for Implementing Smell Therapy™
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Take the Next Step
- Related Services
Understanding Odour Bias in Long-Term Care
Smelling Pink has conducted evaluations across several long-term care homes, revealing a persistent issue: staff often avoid certain scents due to personal bias. While well-intentioned, this approach can block valuable sensory pathways for residents.
- Scents like patchouli and vetiver are under utilized despite their cognitive and calming properties.
- Eucalyptus has an over whelming impact on insomnia, however many caregivers find the scent too “strong”.
- Over 50% of recommended therapeutic scents are not being used, solely because caregivers find them unpleasant.
- Residents with neurological conditions (e.g., dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s) often process scents differently, making “popular” choices less effective.
Why “Unpleasant” Scents Still Matter
There is no such thing as a “bad” scent in therapeutic terms. All aromas have the potential to stimulate memory, cognition, and emotional recall.
- Scent therapy is about triggering a scent memory—the brain’s connection between scent and personal experience, it is impossible for the caregiver to understand what those memories are without exploring all possible aromas.
- Caregiver preferences often prevent the inclusion of rich, earthy, or complex aromas that may connect with a resident’s long-term memory.
- Denying a scent because it’s not “pleasant” defeats the program’s purpose.
The goal of Smell Therapy™ is not to create a spa-like experience—it’s to stimulate mental function and emotional clarity.
“The goal of scent therapy is not to create a ‘spa’ environment—we’re well past that. Research and neuroscience clearly show that scent can trigger specific areas of the brain that have long been overlooked. This process is grounded in therapeutic, aromatic experiences. The choice of scent should not be based on a caregiver’s personal preference or a pleasant memory from getting their nails done—it must serve the resident’s neurological and emotional needs.”
The Science Behind Aromas and Cognition
Scientific research supports Smelling Pink’s inclusive approach to scent therapy:
In a study of 144 healthy participants, peppermint aroma significantly enhanced memory and alertness, while ylang-ylang increased calmness but reduced mental processing speed.
Key Findings:
- Peppermint: Enhances working memory and alertness
- Ylang-ylang: Boosts calmness, but may impair cognitive speed
- Essential oils have idiosyncratic effects—responses differ from person to person
- Scents can influence mood, focus, energy, and sleep
Personal preference should not dictate scent selection—scent therapy is not about enjoyment or perfume-like appeal. Research demonstrates that certain scents have the ability to stimulate or calm the brain, affecting mood, memory, and cognition. While individual responses vary, scents are generally categorized as either stimulating or calming. This reinforces the importance of testing a range of scents directly with residents to identify what best supports their unique neurological and emotional needs.
Recommendations for Implementing Smell Therapy™
To improve results and increase resident engagement, care homes using the Smelling Pink program should:
- Incorporate a wider variety of scents, beyond popular or “safe” ones
- Remove emotional bias in scent selection; focus on resident responses instead
- Observe behavioural and cognitive changes tied to scent exposure (not assumptions)
- Encourage staff training to understand how scent perception differs in neurological care
- Allow the scent to lead—not personal preferences
Smelling Pink recommends documenting responses to at least 5–7 scent sessions per resident to see patterns and effectiveness emerge.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is odour bias in care homes?
Odour bias occurs when staff select scents based on their personal preferences, rather than residents’ therapeutic needs.
Why use “unpleasant” scents?
The word “unpleasant” is subjective and may be misleading—scents like patchouli or vetiver can evoke strong, even pleasant, memories or emotional responses, particularly in older adults with neurodivergent conditions.
Do all residents benefit from scent therapy?
Yes, but benefits depend on selecting the right scents for the individual—not the group. Personalized scent exposure is key.
Is there any scent that shouldn’t be used?
Only if a resident has a documented allergic reaction or aversion. Otherwise, all scents have potential value.
Take the Next Step with Smelling Pink
Ready to bring evidence-based scent therapy to your care community?
Contact us to learn how Smelling Pink can improve cognitive function and emotional wellness for your residents.
Visit Smelling Pink to learn about for onboarding packages, scent kits, and training options.
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