What are the early signs that assistance with personal care and bathing may be necessary?

My mother's former hairdresser called me and told me that my mom was a bit smelly. I was grateful because it took a lot of guts to tell me.

Clothes don’t get changed as often as they should.

Clothes may be soiled.

Laundry basket is always empty.

Loved one says that they have showered, but you know they haven’t.

Loved one may have body odor, when they didn’t, previously.

Loved one may refuse to shower, or take a bath.

Shower/bath is unused, or dusty.

The most reliable sign is when they stop doing it on their own.

Are clothes changed daily?
Is the person clean and neat?
Is there a noticeable odor?
Is hair clean and brushed, combed?
A person does not have to take a bath daily. (as a matter of fact I was surprised to learn when my Husband was in rehab that the requirement in the State of Illinois is 2 times a week)
If this is a person that is living alone and you visit often check the bathroom, are there wet or damp towels?
If this person is living with you monitoring can be done easily. (in most cases)
If they seem to need help, help them. Don't "offer" to help as most offers will be rejected.
Showers can be a scary place. Noisy, slippery and for someone with dementia there is a lot to remember when bathing/showering.
I also suggest removing sliding doors to showers and replace with a shower curtain. (doors can be stored and replaced later) Often the door can become a hazard. Falling into the door can break the door. Grabbing the towel bar on the door is not a safe thing if it is being used as a Grab Bar to steady yourself.
In addition with the door removed and a shower curtain in place it makes it easier to help.

The clothes are unchanged or the outfits do not match. Strong body odor indicates no bathing, showering or use of other cleansing methods, such as lotions or creams for long periods, maybe for a week or longer. Time for assistance.

Be sure to have a shower chair and floor mats that are non skid. My mother and aunt hated to shower due to getting so cold. We would warm several towels in the dryer prior to the shower ending. Then wrap around as much of their body as you can while drying them off. If they live in their own home you could get a small heater or a towel warmer for the bathroom.
Heaters are not permitted on a senior campus.

Strong poop smell

One thing for me was I noticed my Mr. took extremely quick showers. They had a sit down tub so it wasn’t like I was looking at him in all his glory per se. but one day I I checked in on him and I saw that he was basically getting his face, head and shoulders wet with the spray and he was done. Also and this is really gross I’m sorry, but there was poop on his hands from not wiping himself properly. That was it for me.

and a little dark humor, I had to make sure there was no toilet paper or facial tissue or anything within arms reach of him being on the commode or I’d have that mess again.

Their underwear tells the story....

csAtchley43: Perhaps the first sign is if the individual wears the same clothing every day.