Do old people lose their ability to taste?

[Guest]

My mom is in her mid-70's. She's always been a fantastic cook and she's been canning for twice as long as I've been in the world. I got a jar of saurkraut from her, cooked it up with some sliced bratwurst, and. . . oh, my. It's salt kraut. Inedible. This isn't like her. Lots of things about her are changing in the last couple of years. It's hard to watch parents ago.

[Just_A_Guy]

I've read that taste bud cells, like brain cells, don't regenerate like other cells do and so an inhibited sensitivity to taste is somewhat normal with age.

[Echo2002]

My grandmother is getting that way. Her food is way too salty.

[annewandering]

My moms taste buds have changed. She has trouble eating meat because it tastes so bad. You should have your mom ask her doc about it. There are some things that can cause it and need to be checked out.

[Iggy]

Yes, as we age we lose not only our sense of taste but our sense of smell to, which is related.

My Grandmother lived with us, and she would always taste test Mom's cooking, then add spices. Mostly SALT. She ruined more meals!

In Home Ec class in the 8th grade, we put all of our salt and pepper into NOT clear shakers and added rice. For a table salt shaker about 1 tsp of rice is enough. Rice keeps salt from clumping up with moisture, keeps it flowing smoothly.

I bought Mom metal shakers, similar to this: Kitchen Collection 12 Ounce Salt Shaker-Stainless Steel 30283 at Kitchen Collection , then filled it half full of rice. Did it with both the salt, season salt and pepper shakers. We also added rice to the shakers at the table, more to the set that sat nearest to Grandma.

Grandma would taste, shake away, taste again and approve the addition! The seasonings were up in a different cupboard- so Mom would be able to properly season the food.

Grandma's sense of smell diminished the older she got. She would put more and more cologne on. We finally had to tell her no more cologne- that Mom had developed a severe allergy to it.

[applepansy]

Not always. Sometimes its their meds that cause the changes.

[Iggy]

Not always. Sometimes its their meds that cause the changes.

Grandma wasn't on any meds.

[bytebear]

So is this why there are so many seniors at Denny's?

[RipplecutBuddha]

So is this why there are so many seniors at Denny's?

No, but it is why Denny's goes through so much salt....

[applepansy]

Grandma wasn't on any meds.

:)I didn't say meds were the cause for all seniors but getting older doesn't automatically mean you lose your sense of taste and sometimes it can be caused by meds.

Losing your sense of taste is not a given just because you get older.

[pam]

So is this why there are so many seniors at Denny's?

Maybe because Denny's gives a 20% discount to seniors.

[Misshalfway]

I don't want to get old.

[Dravin]

I don't want to get old.

Kinda beats the alternative (baring translation).

[Iggy]

Applepansy, I googled medications affecting taste ~ Holy Moley~ there are a LOT. Too many to copy and paste to here.

I need to go back and check to see if any of the Husbands meds are listed. He is unable to smell his own body odors. Makes it rather interesting when I have to very delicately let him know he is getting a bit strong. Unfortunately we both don't fit in the shower at the same time, that used to be the most fun way of chasing away the smells and not hurting his feelings.

Fortunately for us, I do ALL the cooking. His salt shaker is opaque white and filled half full of rice!

[Vort]

Applepansy, I googled medications affecting taste ~ Holy Moley~ there are a LOT. Too many to copy and paste to here.

I think beer is at the top of that list. I have seen it affect the taste of a great many individuals.

[bcguy]

Easy answer is to just take the salt out of the kitchen :)

Yes, as we age we lose not only our sense of taste but our sense of smell to, which is related.

My Grandmother lived with us, and she would always taste test Mom's cooking, then add spices. Mostly SALT. She ruined more meals!

In Home Ec class in the 8th grade, we put all of our salt and pepper into NOT clear shakers and added rice. For a table salt shaker about 1 tsp of rice is enough. Rice keeps salt from clumping up with moisture, keeps it flowing smoothly.

I bought Mom metal shakers, similar to this: Kitchen Collection 12 Ounce Salt Shaker-Stainless Steel 30283 at Kitchen Collection , then filled it half full of rice. Did it with both the salt, season salt and pepper shakers. We also added rice to the shakers at the table, more to the set that sat nearest to Grandma.

Grandma would taste, shake away, taste again and approve the addition! The seasonings were up in a different cupboard- so Mom would be able to properly season the food.

Grandma's sense of smell diminished the older she got. She would put more and more cologne on. We finally had to tell her no more cologne- that Mom had developed a severe allergy to it.

[mrmarklin]

:)Losing your sense of taste is not a given just because you get older.

Actually, it is................................

Just being human.