Take note: The ability to feel is a major health boon. A hug, a hand on the arm, even petting a dog can release mood-boosting hormones and foster social bonds that lead to long-term happiness. Yet touch is another sense that dwindles naturally with age. read more
But rarest of all is to completely lose (or not ever have been born with) a sense of touch. Here’s a link to a fascinating article about a Pennsylvania woman who has almost no sense of touch. It’s about so much more than just not being able to feel what nice things feel like. It’s absolutely a safety issue. read more
Unfortunately, like eyesight and hearing, our sense of touch is vulnerable to the effects of age. The touch sense steadily deteriorates as we get older, starting around the age of 18. Every year, we lose around one percent of our tactile sense. read more
Losing your sense of smell, known as anosmia, impacts not only your ability to detect odors, but also other areas of your life. Many individuals report a decreased quality of life with both temporary and permanent anosmia. read more