old person smell
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Anonymous
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My sweet elderly MIL has been staying with us. She is wonderful and we love her dearly. She has recently developed old person smell, a normal condition caused by thinning skin oxidizing and creating nonenal, which creates the odor. Although she showers every day and I do all of her laundry including sheets and towels regularly, the unpleasant odor remains because nonenal is not water-soluble.
She is now visiting her other children, and I have used this time to launder everything with the persimmon detergent made to help with this issue, as well as Borax and Oxiclean. I have been airing out her bedroom by keeping the windows open, and have used coffee grounds, vinegar, baking soda, dryer sheets, scented candles, and Pinesol to help eliminate the odor that lingers in the bathroom, carpet, the air. Has anyone else dealt with this issue? Any tips? My MIL is returning soon and I want to be able to handle this discreetly so as to not hurt her feelings. Thank you for any advice you can give me. |
Anonymous
| There’s a persimmon soap, but it is very expensive. |
Anonymous
| She is getting in the shower, but is she using soap, shampoo? Can stand up without holding on? Sometimes old people can't reach around to clean themselves. It would be helpful to have a handheld shower sprayer and a seat to sit down on. She may need help washing her hair and back. |
Anonymous
Yes, OP is aware. "She is now visiting her other children, and I have used this time to launder everything with the persimmon detergent made to help with this issue ..." |
Anonymous
OP here: Yes to all. |
Anonymous
The issue isn’t cleanliness. She is very clean. The problem is that no matter how much washing, nonenal is not water soluble. I would like to try the persimmon soap, but she will question it since she always uses Dove. |
Anonymous
| Maybe someone knows is Lume helps with this. Developed by an OBGYN - but can be used everywhere - there is a soap, cream, etc. |
Anonymous
| I unfortunately don't have any suggestions but just wanted to say what a caring, kind, thoughtful daughter-in-law you are. |
Anonymous
| That’s nice of you OP. Does this happen to everyone!? Am I going to have to worry about this too when I get older?? |
Anonymous
| What does this smell like? |
Anonymous
| I wonder if eating persimmon helps? This suggests green tea helps. And they make persimmon body soap. https://miraiclinical.com/pages/nonenal |
Anonymous
Separate poster here - had not heard of this but just ordered some! Thanks for the tip. |
Anonymous
| What age does this smell kick in? |
Anonymous
You mentioned she is very sweet. If you asked her to try out a new soap and let her know how it works & what she thinks of it, do you think she would agree to help you? You can mention afterward that you love the scent on her, or how it seems to work with her body chemistry (if there is no scent). |
Anonymous
| I’m 59 and concerned. How old is MIL? And yes you are wonderful OP! She’s lucky to have you. |