Out of the blue, it can hit you—a scent that jumps out of your surroundings and instantaneously evokes a memory or feeling. From this scent, images or scenes in time can emerge. The strength of these memories can take you by surprise. Scents like the smell of freshly baked apple pie from the oven, smoke from a bonfire, perfume your mom wore, the dentist drill, or chlorine at a swimming pool can transport you back to another place or time. (You can almost smell these now, can’t you?)
The Science of Your Sense of Smell
Directly hard-wired into your brain is the sense of smell. When you smell an odor or fragrance, this is transmitted to your olfactory bulb which is in the part of the brain responsible for memory and emotion. Whether pleasant or unpleasant, this scent can recall a memory. Therefore, a smell can subconsciously trigger feelings of nostalgia or a deep emotion. The smell of fresh bread might transport you back to your grandmother’s kitchen or the scent of pencil shavings might evoke memories of your third-grade classroom.
If scents can be gratifying and positive, how can you harness this as a caregiver? Can you benefit from the calming sense of smell? Can your parent relive some memories with the aid of scent? The answer is yes, and it need not be complicated or expensive.
Using scent as a caregiving tool can be as simple as looking in your cupboard, cutting fresh flowers from the garden, or buying an inexpensive scented candle. It can be done in minutes when you grind fresh coffee beans or dab perfume on your mother’s wrists. It is being aware of your surroundings, enjoying the smells you encounter throughout the day, and taking a deep restorative breath.
Relax. Research has shown that the scent of baby powder can reduce stress. This scent can evoke the safe and secure feelings of childhood or the happy memories of motherhood. Add this to your mom’s bathing routine to indulge in this comforting scent. Another easy item you can pick up from the drugstore is suntan lotion. The familiar coconut scent can induce feelings of relaxation from a vacation at the beach.
Energize. Caregiving is hard work. If you are feeling sleepy in the afternoon, don’t grab another cup of coffee or a sugary caffeinated soda but try popping a peppermint. This powerful menthol scent can open up your sinuses and help you feel alert. Citrus is another refreshing scent to make you feel energized. Try scents of lemon, orange, or grapefruit to combat stress and fatigue.
Reminisce. There are many scents that evoke positive memories but are personal to you or your parent. Perhaps your dad spent his Sunday afternoons tinkering under the hood of his car, so he enjoys the smells of the garage. Maybe it’s the aftershave that your grandfather wore, the detergent that your mom used, or the scent of snow hanging in the air that takes you back. These scents are personal and can change your mood. Keep a catalog of these personal scents.
At Aegis Living, we believe in the power of scent and its positive impact on our residents and staff. We have created a proprietary scent for our communities designed to help relax the body and calm the mind. Almost undetectable, this subtle blend of chamomile, lavender, and other complementary ingredients reduces stress and anxiety. We also use a diffused aromatherapy scent as part of our Comfort Touch, caring touch program. When you take a tour of our community, see if you can smell this calming scent for yourself and ask about our Comfort Touch Program.
Respite Stays & Day Stays give family caregivers a real break—hours, days, or a few weeks—while your loved one enjoys a safe, enriching short‑term home at Aegis Living. Guests settle into a beautifully furnished private apartment and have 24/7 care staff and onsite nurses, medication management, and discreet safety technology (motion sensors, medical‑alert pendants, visitor check‑in) for peace of mind. Each day feels purposeful with chef‑prepared, all‑day dining and 200+ monthly activities—from book clubs and fitness classes to movie nights—plus full use of the community. We coordinate with your loved one’s physicians to mirror their routines and care, so the stay feels familiar. It’s also a smart trial run for senior living: meet neighbors, test services, and see what supported independence looks like—without a long‑term commitment. Choose a Respite Stay when you’re traveling or need time to recharge, when your loved one would benefit from structure, social connection, and great meals, or when you both want peace of mind while keeping options open.
Hospice & End‑of‑Life Care at Aegis Living is comfort‑first support for the final stage of life, delivered in your loved one’s private apartment by our 24/7 care team in coordination with a trusted local hospice provider you choose (or we can recommend). Together, we create a coordinated care plan that manages pain and other symptoms, oversees medications, and provides calm, dignified help with daily needs, while offering compassionate emotional support for both resident and family. Discreet safety measures and a reliable medical‑alert system bring help quickly; chef‑prepared, in‑apartment meals adapt to changing appetites. Families are guided through decisions and moments of closure so they can focus on being present in a peaceful, home‑like setting. If your loved one already lives at Aegis, they can remain in the comfort of their home, avoiding disruptive moves. Choose this level of care when curative treatment is no longer the goal and you want expert symptom control, hands‑on daily support, and a setting that protects dignity and prioritizes comfort, meaning, and time together.
Memory Care is specialized, secure support for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias who benefit from a calm, structured environment and round‑the‑clock expertise. At Aegis Living, that care happens in Life’s Neighborhood—an intimate, thoughtfully designed setting where 24/7 dementia‑trained caregivers and a nursing team on site seven days a week deliver personalized help with daily living, medication management, and mobility (including Hoyer lifts and two‑person transfers), while gently redirecting agitation and confusion. Days are purpose‑filled with science‑based cognitive programming, certified music therapy, and social activities; chef‑prepared meals are easy to enjoy and dining spaces and cues are designed for memory support. Discreet safety features like secured entrances, emergency pendants with fall detection, and optional motion sensors, prevent wandering and bring peace of mind, and visiting physicians and wellness professionals reduce trips off‑site. Families receive education and ongoing support. If your loved one is unsafe alone, missing medications, wandering, needs frequent cueing or hands‑on help with bathing or dressing, or thrives with a predictable routine, Memory Care offers the right level of care. For milder needs, our transitional Assisted Living can be a first step; for advancing symptoms, secured Memory Care provides the specialized, heartfelt support to help them feel calm, connected, and at home.