The approach I usually take in such a case is that I check serialized form value. So the idea is that you calculate initial form state with $.fn.serialize method. Then when needed you just compare current state with the original serialized string.
To target all input elements (select, textarea, checkbox, input-text, etc.) within a form you can use pseudo selector :input.
For example:
var $form = $('form'),
origForm = $form.serialize();
$('form :input').on('change input', function() {
$('.change-message').toggle($form.serialize() !== origForm);
});
.change-message {
display: none;
}
<script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/2.1.1/jquery.min.js"></script>
<form>
<div class="change-message">You have unsaved changes.</div>
<div>
<textarea name="description" cols="30" rows="3"></textarea>
</div>
<div>Username: <input type="text" name="username" /></div>
<div>
Type:
<select name="type">
<option value="1">Option 1</option>
<option value="2" selected>Option 2</option>
<option value="3">Option 3</option>
</select>
</div>
<div>
Status: <input type="checkbox" name="status" value="1" /> 1
<input type="checkbox" name="status" value="2" /> 2
</div>
</form>
