What Causes Urinary Tract Infections?
Urinary Tract Infections in the elderly can sometimes be mistaken as just being mean or the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s.
There are several symptoms that can give you a hint to look for a urinary tract infection also known as a UTI:
- Confusion
- Agitated easily
- Hallucinations
- Mean behavioral changes
- dizziness
My mom has had several urinary tract infections over the past few years and I thought she was just being mean. REALLY!! That’s what I thought. Then one day the nurse came for her visit and I was telling her how mom was treating me and she suggested getting her tested for a UTI and sure enough that was the culprit.
Many people may think a urinary tract infection is Alzheimer’s because of the symptoms that appear, not always.
When I empty her potty chair and see the DARK urine with a very strong odor I know I need to start having mom drink more water. I try to keep watch for her personality to change because it can creep up on you real fast and cause you great grief without even realizing it.
Get your aging family member to drink, drink and drink as much water as you can. I have also know several women who take a cranberry capsule to prevent urinary tract infections.
- Urine that appears cloudy
- Bloody urine
- Strong or foul-smelling urine odor
- Frequent or urgent need to urinate
- Pain or burning with urination
- Pressure in the lower pelvis
- Low-grade fever
What Causes Urinary Tract Infections: There are many reasons for the cause of a UTI. They can go from having diabetes to kidney stones and there will be complications of a urinary tract infection if it’s not treated so if you see any signs from the list above do your aging parent a favor and contact their family doctor. I saw immediate changes once mom was on the correct prescribed medication. Just know that each individual is different and may act and react differently.
It’s our duty to be aware of what’s happening as a caregiver.