Urinary Tract Infection in Elderly
Critical Information for Caregivers
UTIs in elderly patients can cause serious complications including delirium and sepsis if not detected early.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in ELDERLY are a complex issue. Important for family caretakers to become familiar with the classic signs of UTI in the elderly. Without rapid diagnosis and treatment, UTIs can cause serious side effects like delirium and can even lead to kidney infections and sepsis.
Can UTI Cause Altered Mental State in the Elderly?
Patient: Doctor House, Can UTI cause altered mental state in the elderly?
Yes it can. Our immune system changes as we get older, it responds differently to the infection. Instead of pain symptoms, elderly with a UTI may show increased signs of confusion or agitation.
Different Symptoms in Elderly
Classic UTI symptoms:
- Burning pain and frequent urination
In older adults:
Instead, older adults, especially those with dementia, may experience behavioral symptoms such as CONFUSION.
Prevention Strategies
1. Increase Water Intake
We at Doctor House encourage patients to drink more water, this will cause the urge to urinate will become more frequent. This prevents infecting bacteria that cause UTIs from building up.
2. Promote Mobility
To mobilize elderly people who are sedentary have a higher risk for UTIs. More walks, even in a small area with small steps, helps in preventing UTIs in the elderly.
3. Ensure Good Hygiene
Doctor House also advises that prompt and proper toileting and continence care can minimize the likelihood of stool bacteria from entering the urethra and causing an infection.
- Frequently change soiled adult diapers as quickly as possible
- Female patients should never wipe from back to front
Doctor House UTI Services
We provide urine lab tests and culture tests for elderly patients. Our professional doctors can help rule out UTIs that can lead to severe sepsis, with all procedures done under sterile conditions.