Urinary Tract Infections: What Older Adults and Caregivers Should Know.
Urinary tract infections cause different symptoms in older adults than younger ones. It’s important to learn the symptoms so a senior can be quickly treated.
An urgent need to urinate and pain during urination are two of the classic symptoms of a urinary tract infections in older adults. Lower back pain and a fever are also associated with the infection. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, urinary tract infections are the second most common type of infection in this country.
Researchers say 150 million people a year will experience a urinary tract infection. Because this type of infection can be dangerous if untreated, it’s important for seniors and caregivers to know what the condition is and how different the symptoms of a urinary tract infection are among older adults.
What is a UTI and how can you recognize the symptoms in an older family member?
Here’s what seniors and caregivers should know.
What Is a UTI and What Are the Risk Factors in Seniors?
The urinary tract has four distinct parts:
- Kidneys: organs that process and manage fluid balance and urine in the body
- Bladder: organ that holds urine
- Ureters: tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder
- Urethra: tube that empties urine out of the body from the bladder
When bacteria make their way to the urethra and the immune system isn’t able to fight them off, they may spread to the bladder and kidneys. The result is a urinary tract infection, also referred to as a UTI.
Because women have a shorter urethra, they are at increased risk for a UTI. Other common causes of UTIs in seniors are:
- Catheter use
- Uterine or bladder prolapse in women
- Enlarged prostate in menIncontinence briefs that aren’t changed regularly
- Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia
- Diabetes that weakens the immune system
- Kidney stonesHistory of previous UTIs
- Spinal cord injuries or nerve damage near the bladder
Symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infections in Older Adults:
As we age and our immune system becomes weaker, the symptoms aren’t as easy to identify as they are among younger adults. In fact, family members might think a loved one is developing dementia and schedule an appointment with their physician.
A few of the common symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infections in older adults include:
- Sudden onset of incontinence
- Confusion and disorientation
- Inability to complete tasks
- Falls or balance problems
- Decreased appetite
- Pain or burning during urination
- Pressure in the lower abdomen or back
- Blood in urine
- Change in behavior and/or disposition
How Is a Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosed and Treated?
If a physician suspects a senior has a UTI, there are a few different methods they can use to determine how serious the infection is.
- A urine test and urinalysis will allow your health care professional to determine where the infection is in the body and how bad it is
- If a urinary tract infection is present in older adults, the physician might order an ultrasound to see how far the infection has spread and to check the kidneys and bladder
Antibiotics are the most common treatment for urinary tract infections. Drinking plenty of water also helps flush out any remaining bacteria.
The bottom line is if a senior loved one is confused or exhibiting other behavioral changes, it’s important to schedule an appointment with their physician quickly. An untreated urinary tract infection can spread to the kidneys and the bloodstream leading to serious health issues.
Advice and Guidance at No Cost to Seniors
If you or a senior in your family will be searching for independent living, assisted living, or memory care in Orange County California, Arrow Senior Care can help. Call us at 949-413-9970 or click the link below to learn more.
Remember, our service is always free for older adults and families!
