What is an UTI?
UTI is an acronym that stands for urinary tract infection. If your parent’s doctor suspects a UTI has occurred or knows there is one, don’t panic. It is possible to treat and overcome a UTI in a timely manner if you take the proper approach. Every senior and child of an elderly individual should be aware that UTIs are more common in women than men. Your loved one can overcome a UTI with some patience and the optimal treatment modality or possibly several modalities tried in unison or in a staggered manner.
Examples of UTI symptoms include reduced appetite, lethargy, agitation, mental cloudiness and falls at a regular frequency. In particular, a fever above 100.5 degrees is especially concerning as it is a common indication of a UTI. When in doubt, closely monitor your loved one for alterations in cognition and motor skills to get a sense of whether meaningful changes have occurred. If you spot UTI stroke like symptoms, reach out to the medical professionals for prompt assistance as it could be a life-threatening event. Furthermore, UTIs lead to high fevers, so don’t bother searching Google for, “Can UTI cause seizures in elderly?” as the answer is a resounding yes.
What Causes a UTI in Elderly?
UTIs in the elderly are typically the result of bacteria. In particular, Escherichia coli is the leading cause of UTIs. However, it is also possible for other organisms to spur a UTI. Every senior and care provider for seniors should be aware that the muscles in the pelvis and bladder floor weaken as time progresses, meaning they can lead to incontinence or urine retention. Unfortunately, urine remains in the urinary tract for an extended period of time can lead to the formation of bacteria such as E. coli, that can cause the UTI.
Signs and Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection in Elderly
Seniors saddled by a UTI who display a rapid change in behavior along with symptoms that might be tied to cognitive problems are clearly in need of assistance. The symptoms of UTIs most commonly tied to cognitive problems include pain when urinating, frequent urination and blood when urinating. However, the symptoms listed in the opening paragraph can also manifest.
Early Stages of UTI Symptoms
The initial stages of UTI symptoms are characterized by an odd feeling in the groin. This initial stage is also characterized by sharp twinges, somewhat similar to the brief pain that occurs when stretching a certain way. There is the potential for the pain to eventually worsen to the point that it becomes sharp pain. Additional examples of early stage UTI symptoms include a burning sensation when urinating, an intense urge to urinate, feeling fatigued, pain in the lower back and chills/fever.
Undetected UTI symptoms
There is a chance that none of the UTI symptoms listed above will manifest. If none of those symptoms occur, you might not feel anything. There is also the potential for the UTI symptoms to be incredibly subtle without much of a burning sensation, especially in patients who are older women. Asymptomatic UTIs are problematic in that they have the potential to reduce the quality of life for individuals who are immunocompromised.
Can UTI be Fatal in Elderly?
A urinary tract has the potential to kill a senior citizen. Though a UTI is unlikely to kill, sepsis might set in. If sepsis sets in and septic shock occurs, it has the potential to prove deadly. Sadly, UTIs are the cause of more than half of urosepsis cases in older adults.
How to Treat UTI in Elderly
Treating UTI in elderly is easier and quicker than most people assume. Though the pain resulting from a UTI is sharp, it will dissipate if approached properly. Antibiotics are used to treat UTIs. However, it is possible to treat UTIs without antibiotics if strategic alternative approaches are used. If antibiotics are unavailable, ineffective or cannot be taken for another reason, substitute treatments and approaches include using probiotics, urinating when necessary, remaining hydrated and drinking cranberry juice. However, antibiotics typically prove effective for most patients, especially if taken in a timely manner, at the recommended frequency and for the recommended duration.
Long-term Catheter use in Elderly
Indwelling catheters are used by seniors with urinary retention issues, cancer, pressure ulcers and incontinence. Such catheters help keep patients as comfortable as possible despite dealing with a nagging UTI. Furthermore, indwelling catheters are also helpful in the context of home health aides as they make it that much easier to provide assistance to patients in need of a helping hand who do not want to or cannot leave the house.
There is no reason to attempt to master the learning curve of indwelling catheters on your own. Nor is there any reason to fuss over their use after implementing them. Instead of attempting to perfect the subtleties of catheter use, turn to our long-term catheter specialists and we will provide ongoing assistance through professional homecare.
Homecare Services for Elderly With UTI
If the senior you love so much suffers a UTI, don’t assume you will have to rearrange your schedule to provide care. Homecare services for elderly with UTI are a call away. Opt for assistance from a home healthcare aide and he or she will attend to your loved one’s catheter, change the sheets, help him or her use the bathroom and generally enjoy a decent quality of life.
Homecare services for elderly with UTI are also helpful in the context of socialization. Home healthcare aides engage patients in discussion, ask them questions about their quality of life, inquire about comfort and go out of their way to make life easier to live while saddled by a UTI.
So don’t let your loved one suffer in silence one moment longer. Nor should you have to carve out time from your own schedule to constantly lend assistance during a UTI or other medical event. Reach out to the homecare specialists today for assistance and we will coordinate homecare for the seniors in your life.