what causes an older person to lose sense of taste
A: A reduced sense of smell (hyposmia) -- and less often taste (hypogeusia) -- are common conditions that are more likely to occur as we get older. In fact, some loss of taste and smell occurs normally with aging. The nerves and nerve endings that send smell and taste signals to the brain can degenerate as we age. The senses of smell and taste are rarely lost simultaneously. Loss of the sense of smell is more common. Because our sense of smell plays a critical role in the appreciation of flavors, loss of our sense of smell frequently gives the perception that our sense of taste is lost or greatly diminished.