My mother hasn't been able to go to the laundromat in months and is wearing clothes with excrement on them but insists that I am the only one who thinks she's dirty when I told her she needed to let someone wash her clothes. Now she's very upset with me, but I can't stand the thought of her living like that. The house has smelled like urine for years but she always blamed the cat. Ever since having her gallbladder out several years ago she's had problems with her bowels and doesn't bathe regularly either. Along with the hygiene issues she's forgetting to pay bills so I'm assuming she has dementia. The doctor was no help at all for any of these issues and didn't even address the mental problems. Help!
Approach your mom in a non-judgemental way, in a loving way, and in the spirit of wanting what's best for her. And if she still won't bathe tell your mom that you need to hire a bath aide (through an agency) because you don't want her to get sick and she'll feel so much better when she begins to bathe regularly. She may have a reason for not bathing and you just don't know it. Maybe she's embarrassed about something or maybe she has difficulty when she bathes.
But the bathing issue along with the forgetting to pay bills, I would agree that she needs to be seen by another Dr. A specialist or even a neurologist. There are many threads here on this very topic. It might be helpful to you to see what others have done in your situation but caring for someone who is not wanting to bathe is a pretty common problem for caregivers.
2) I suggest a call to Social Services for a needs assessment appointment. Be present when Mother is interviewed for this. If she is like my mother she will insist that she doesn't need help. You can be the voice of reality. "When was the last time you went to the laundromat? How did you get there? How did you get the clothes home?" Even if Mother will not financially qualify for aid, having an objective party come up with a list of what she needs help with can be a very useful bargaining point in discussing it with her.
3) Assure her that you are on her side. "Mom, I want to see you be able to stay right here as long as you can, and to live as independently as you can. In order to do that you may have to accept a little help in some areas. Isn't it worth putting up with a homemaker coming in twice a week to help with cleaning and laundry so that you can continue living on your own?"
There may be an number of other things she needs help with. Someone should have POA authority and take over bill paying. Maybe meals-on-wheels should be arranged. Does she need help with medications?
If Mom does have dementia, eventually she may not be able to live alone. But if you can get her to see that you are trying to extend the time that that is safe for her and can talk her into accepting a little help to make that possible, it will be a great kindness, even if she fights you on it.