Smell and taste are important senses that may change as people age.  A fact sheet from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), Smell and Taste: Spice of Life, provides an overview of this subject and resources for more information. It describes the importance of smell and taste, possible causes of changes in these senses and how to deal with them, and suggests ways to keep eating a healthful diet when changes in taste occur during cancer treatment.

Smell and Taste: Spice of Life is part of the NIA’s series of free AgePage fact sheets on more than 40 topics of interest to older adults and caregivers. Each AgePage provides an overview of the subject and resources for more information.  Many of these fact sheets are available in Spanish. Topics address specific diseases or conditions (e.g., cancer, depression, forgetfulness), health promotion/disease prevention (e.g., exercise, healthy eating, sexuality), safety issues (e.g., fall prevention, medication use), and more. 

To download or order free copies of Smell and Taste: Spice of Life, visit www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/smell.htm or call the NIA Information Center toll-free at (800) 222-2225. For bulk quantities, visit www.niapublications.org/bulkorder1.asp.

Other NIA AgePages and publications in English and Spanish are available at www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications.