A lot of things are not plain water soluble. Olive oil. Coconut oil. Put some on your skin. Run water from the faucet on it. Oooh. Not water soluble. Then use soap. Oooh...

That is what shampoo, soaps, detergents are for.

Most of the "not water soluble" stinky scare stories come on websites run by companies selling persimmon soap. Or Lume.

The research revealing the smell had a small sample. And they did not test after normal bathing with soap or body cleanser.

They also found adolescent smell was stronger but it was "old smell" people found more "disgusting."

Want to vomit going into care facility? Want to vomit going into junior high gym? Hmmmm.

Well enjoy.
I am content to stink or not.

Anonymous wrote:Ok. Point made. I am not yet quite that old, getting there.
But since they are not bathed often, explains how the "scent" can build even if they are well cared for. Hence persimmon soap.
I cancelled my order for same.

the scent can and does build on people who bathe and shower daily (my dad). It's a result of body chemistry, not showers, because the chemical is not water-soluble.

Ok. Point made. I am not yet quite that old, getting there.
But since they are not bathed often, explains how the "scent" can build even if they are well cared for. Hence persimmon soap.
I cancelled my order for same.

Anonymous wrote:I think "weekly shower" explains much of need for persimmon soap.

Then you clearly know nothing about caring for elderly people, especially those with dementia. Elderly people have thin skin that dries out easily. If they have dementia or physical limitations, they’re often not capable of showering themselves alone and need supervision. Elderly people with dementia often feel cold, they’re afraid of water, afraid of falling, etc. which causes them to be reluctant to shower. Any caregiver knows that the days of daily showers are over with elderly people, so adjustments have to be made. If the elderly person is not incontinent and doesn’t do any activities that cause them to be sweaty, a weekly shower is sufficient.

I think "weekly shower" explains much of need for persimmon soap.

I've been using the Mirai Clinical persimmon body wash for my 82-year-old mom's weekly shower. Pricey but a little goes a long way. It has a nice light citrusy scent and works great. No more old person smell!

https://miraiclinical.com/products/purifying-deodorizing-body-wash-with-japanese-persimmon-1

I've read lack of activity can cause bacteria to build up in the pores. Also, probably not enough water to flush the system.

my dad really started to get the old-man-smell in his 70s. I'm sure there is a genetic component because he smelled exactly like my grandfather used to, and when I see my uncle, he also smells the same. It's not incontinence, it's old person smell. My mom, in her 80s, doesn't have it as strongly though its definitely there to some degree.

I've noticed a stronger scent to myself now that I'm on HRT+testosterone, but its not the old person smell... yet.

Well we shower well twice a day and are not incontinent and do laundry. I can't smell "it" on my spouse. Got persimmon soap $18 for 4 oz. Will see if anything noticeable but personally I think it's alliums people smell.

As someone with 2 elderly parents who live in their own home-one who is incontinent-it comes down to bathing and laundry/cleaning.

My parents' home does not have 'that' smell, but Mom and I do certain things like, use disposable paper pads on places Dad sits in case the pullup leaks. Also, washable cushions that get washed regularly. And the bed is made up with waterproof mattress pad, paper pad on his side, then top sheet so it's easy to launder and keeps the mattress dry. No carpet in house except in two bedrooms he does not use. Pullups are put in outside trash daily.

Mom uses Lysol Laundry Sanitizer in the wash. It really kills that smell!

As Dad's condition progresses, he was not bathing and you could smell it...wipes are not a replacement for bathing. I arranged for home care bathing and that's resolved that. So essentially, bathing, laundry and cleaning and minimizing items that could hold smells (like upholstered chairs or unprotected sofas).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am totally freaked. My husband and I shower twice daily. Do we stink? Does the house stink? OMG. I don't know what old person smell smells like.

Everyone who is old doesn’t have the smell.

I'm sorry but they do unless they actively get rid of it
It's actually a natural part of the aging process but people have decided it smells bad now

I disagree the kind of smell OP is talking about is not the norm for everyone this is from my experience with aging relatives.

Anonymous wrote:I about vomit when I have to go to a senior center. The smell. To me it is a day old musty smell. Like when dogs are out in the rain too long.

This is more about people not bathing enough or well, and/or those who have to wear Depends.