What can I do for an elderly person with a loss of smell?

Is this being caused by medications or just old age? My mother-in-law can't really tell the difference between tastes as much anymore at age 86, and as a result her smeller isn't up to par either. But she can tell STRONG smells and tastes still. You might try amping up the odors/tastes of things for her. If it's old age that's the cause, then I don't know what more you can do. But if it's medication that's the culprit, then there's hope still.