Your family might want to take her to counciling. It sounds like she may be suffering from depression.

She may also be diabetic (and that can give off a bad body smell) or the smell could be linked to a different health problem.

I just say that because even if she isn't showering per se, if she is swimming every day, her body odor shouldn't be that bad.

Regardless, I would address it as a health issue, and go from there. It may be less embarassing to imply the smell could be health related and see how that goes... I would talk to her doctor too because it really could be something kind of serious.

I agree I think this should be addressed by a doctor, there may be reasons for the smell, some people have a real problem with yeast growing on their bodies, especially large people with areas that do not get good air circulation and are hard to reach to clean. Diabetics have a higher risk of having body yeast. This is not just the typical yeast infections you may be thinking of in the female area. It can be on the scalp and look like dandruff, under the breast, under arms, under folds in skin.
So I would definitely talk to the doctor in advance and let him know this needs to be addressed professionally and also mention how easily she breaks down that is something that may be able to helped also.

I agree with carla. Also want to stress the fact that no matter who tells her she smells, she will never get over the deep embarrassment she will feel at having a family member or friend tell her. This is much better coming from a doctor or other stranger. On the offchance there is no medical reason she will at least be able to avoid any further contact with the one who tells her no matter how grateful she will be in the future.

Could it be her clothing? Sometimes if people wear clothing multiple times between washing it will start stinking badly. The problem is that usually the person wearing the clothing has become immune to the smell because of proximity. I know I've had that happen to me with sweaters and such in the winter that I don't always launder between uses. I don't notice a smell until I come back to it after a break and then I wonder how long I was wandering around smelly, lol.

I'm more inclined to think that because, as carla mentioned, if she's been swimming every day she shouldn't smell that bad unless she's putting dirty clothes back on.

If she's in an apartment or another place without washers and dryers in the home, it's really easy to get more lax about laundry hygiene because it's a pain to haul it to the laundromat or the coin washers in the basement.

I have to think it is her clothing as well, the chlorine in the pool should be helping to cleanse her body if she is swimming every day. If she becomes emotional that easily would it be better to do it over the phone or via email? So that she is not facing the individual directly? That's the cowardly way in many ways but I'm wondering if it might not be as embarrassing for her.

I don't think there is an easy way, nor one that she is not going to become emotional. I think I would approach it with love and concern, telling her that I am worried because I know she swims daily. I think that if is not her clothing that she needs a good physical. An odor that offensive is cause for concern.

Anonymously mail her a letter and tell her just like you told us - she won't know who sent it, but will get the message and possibly do something about it.

I have little in the way of a useful suggestion to offer, I fear.

I have a friend (from the men's coffee hour at church) who, in his mid-80s, travels surrounded by a couple of feet of such an aroma ... and I've been feeling that I should take action to notify him, but am concerned about mortifying him.

ole joyful ... who doesn't smell too well ... and hopes that he smells good

I agree with those who say it sounds more like a health issue rather than an issue of hygiene. Raven mentioned that it could be yeast related. That was my first thought also.

Thanks everyone. I just sent her mother an email asking her if she could get her to the doctor - claiming she is overdue for a physical and privately ask the doctor to address the issue. Part of me hopes it is medical (so we can address it) and part of me is scared it just might be.
We'll see what her mom says....

Anonymously mail her a letter and tell her just like you told us - she won't know who sent it, but will get the message and possibly do something about it.

NO! That is the lowest of low!

I would never send (or make a call) anonymous. In anything I have EVER dealt with, if there was an anonymous letter or phone call - I completely disregarded it. I also felt that person (and you usually know exactly who it was a coward.

Saying something about someones smell would be very hard - and I would generally say to let it pass - but the family would know if something really needed to be done. A difficult task indeed! Going with the doctor is a safe and tactful route. There could be many reasons for the odor, including a health issue.

My mother in law stunk. She didn't bathe everyday, I think every other. It was the pound of garlic supplements she took every day. Even though they were the odorless kind. And all of the other weird things she took.... it was hard to be close to her. you had to stand next to her to smell it.. it didn't permeate the room or anything when she walked in

If she goes out anywhere I'm surprised some kid didn't tell her that she stunk. Kids will blurt out anything.
It's hard to believe no one has ever said anything to her.

I would just tell her. I agree swimming should keep body odor down, and it is most likely her clothes. Maybe she isn't doing her laundry, and wearing her clothes over and over again. If there are no stains on the front or anything, she might figure they are clean enough to wear.

Is this a body odour? Or something else? Maybe there is something in her apartment that is smelly and absorbing into her clothing, hair, etc.