How do taste and smell sensitivity change in later life?

After age 70, many individuals experience a reduction in sensory sensitivity, including changes to taste and smell.1

• Taste: The decline in taste sensitivity is linked to the atrophy and loss of taste buds on the tongue.1
• Smell: The impact of aging on the sense of smell is difficult to determine precisely because it is challenging to assess quantitatively. Furthermore, environmental factors—such as smoking and exposure to occupational odors or noxious substances—significantly influence olfactory sensitivity, making it hard to isolate the effects of aging alone.1

While these sensory changes occur, it is important to note that there is no direct relationship between the sensitivity of receptors and the adequacy of behavior, as the typical level of environmental stimulation is often well above the minimum threshold required for perception. Additionally, individuals frequently adapt to gradual sensory impairments by relying on information from other senses.2