Why do elderly men have this very bad smell?

Scorpio, my dad had a terrible odor, I had no idea what it was, I thought bad hygiene and dirty clothes with incontinence. It was actually a fungal infection that he had under his belly roll and boy parts.

A few rounds of a prescription powder and special care to ensure those areas were dry made a world of difference.

A UTI will smell very strong too. I used to use Arm and Hammer but went back to Tide. I also hung things out. Found that the dryer tended to bring back up the smells especially in polyester clothing.

Even if carpet is shampooed, the smell gets into the padding.

Check his room, especially under the bed, to make sure that he is not urinating in cups and bottles and keeping them in the room instead of emptying them. Some men are noted to do this because they are too lazy to go to the bathroom. Also, how often does he take a bath? Bathing will help the situation, and changing the bed linens at least once a week or more often if they are soiled by bodily fluids.

Until you figure it out, wear a scarf, and sprinkle your favorite essential oil on it. And when you can't take it take a big wiff of your scarf

There are medical conditions that cause body odor as well, it should be noted.

“In the case of liver disease, sufferers can experience excessive sweating and a foul-smelling odor that’s been likened to rotten eggs; which is the result of a blood-sugar spike, causes both fruity-smelling breath and a pungent body odor; and excessive sweat and odor can occur in people with due to their overactive parathyroid gland.”

Kidney disease tends to produce a body odor like ammonia or bleach due to built up toxins in the blood.

Smell of unwashed sheets and unwashed pajamas/bathrobe/socks can make a room smell no matter the age of the person. Example: teen age boys. I really believe guys just don't notice if their room smells like a gym locker.

You can try joking "Did a mouse die under your bed? What is that odor?" Chances are he doesn't notice. Tell him time to find the source, guys like a good mystery. Ask him for suggestions, make it like it is his idea.

Hopefully the bedding [everything on the bed] will get washed. PJ's should be tossed in the hamper daily or every two days. Time to buy new socks. See if Old Spice or something similar has body wipes, and say how nice that scent.

"Starting at about age 40, human bodies begin to subtly change the way that omega-7 unsaturated fatty acids on the skin are degraded. As these acids are exposed to oxygen in the air, the change creates a smell, called “nonenal” after the 2-nonenal molecule that is produced in the breakdown process."

This is the classic "old person" smell. And if combined with what's in his supplements plus bad hygiene... yikes.

Also, is he telling you that his doctor says he has a very good bill of health? Sorry but I wouldn't buy it for a minute... many elders with the beginnings of dementia and memory impairment don't get their info correct -- either unintentionally or intentionally to get you off their backs.

If you want to know truth, then go to an appointment with him and sit in on the exam, if he'll let you. I had to do this with my Mom.

If he eats a lot of garlic for his health, as it is metabolized, bad breath and sweat has a really horrid smell that is quite different than body odor. The only thing that would neutralize the odor for short periods was vanilla extract.

This isn’t all old men. And though I don’t know the person you’re caring for, I’m well familiar with the unique and unforgettable smell of old urine combined with bad hygiene/lack of adequate bathing. Those two combine for a smell that attaches to skin and clothing, and then furniture and bedding, and never leaves the memory once you’ve experienced it. I’d bet that’s what you’re smelling and good hygiene and cleaning is the solution

Well, urine, in particular STALE urine has a VERY unique odor, and that often is in clothing that isn't often enough washed as well. There is otherwise no particular odor to an older man. What you are smelling is some combo of stale secretions, unwashed body and clothing.