As an elder care coordinator it’s not unusual to hear “Mom’s going downhill fast; I don’t know what happened! Initially she was a bit confused, but now she’s not making any sense!” This can be scary and confusing for families unfamiliar with medical conditions that may cause Altered Mental Status.
One such condition is a UTI, aka, Urinary Tract Infection, which may cause behavioral changes in the elderly. Some of the behavior changes you may notice are increased agitation, sudden onset of confusion, wandering, hallucinations, increased or recent falls, dizziness, poor motor skills such as inability to perform simple tasks like dressing or preparing a simple breakfast, etc. Such behaviors are often mistaken for early stages of Dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Typical signs/symptoms of UTI are pain/burning during urination, dark or cloudy urine, strong/foul odor, urgency, and low-grade fever.
Unfortunately, due to the effects of aging, elderly people often don’t exhibit signs such as fever because their immune system is unable to trigger a response due to advanced age, so a UTI can go undetected.
As an elder care coordinator, it is my job to play detective, so to speak, and ask the important questions. During a recent client visit to a skilled nursing facility, my client revealed she was experiencing many of the above symptoms. I requested a urine analysis be done and the results were positive for UTI. As a result, our client received the necessary antibiotic therapy.
It is important to understand, the elderly are more susceptible to UTI’s due to conditions such as diabetes, urinary retention, immobility, use of a catheter, bowel/bladder incontinence, enlarged prostate, surgery around the bladder area, etc.
Some of the things you can do to help your loved one reduce the risk of a UTI: change adult briefs frequently to avoid bacterial buildup, keep genital area clean, drink plenty of fluids (two to four quarts daily), and avoid caffeine and alcohol as it is an irritant.
Be observant, watch for the warning signs, and if you suspect your loved one may have a UTI, contact their MD or Nursing Home Director immediately.
For more information, please visit www.JaneMcNamara.com or call 661-287-3260 for an appointment.