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‘Tis the Season….for UTI’s!
Care Choice Home Care • July 16, 2021
Ahh, summer. That wonderful, fun, lazy season of sunshine and heat is upon us. But with those warm days and nights comes the increase of Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s) among our elderly population. Beware! Left undetected, the common UTI can potentially lead to severe complications without proper treatment.
To understand a UTI, it’s important to know what, exactly, the urinary tract includes:
• The urethra (the opening that carries urine from your bladder)
• The ureters
• The bladder
• The kidneys
When bacteria enter the urethra, they may spread to the bladder and kidneys if your immune system doesn’t fight them off. UTI’s are often due to E. coli which is a type of bacteria commonly present in stool. Improper wiping/cleaning after voiding will greatly increase the chance of getting a UTI. Older adults who have catheters are susceptible of getting UTI’ s from organisms entering through the catheter tubing or improper cleaning of catheter bags.
Identifying signs and symptoms of a UTI in older adults can be very challenging. Classic symptoms
may include: Urethral burning during urination; pelvic pain; frequent urination; an urgent need to urinate; chills; fever’ abnormal urine odor.
Younger adults typically notice such changes and are able to seek the medical attention. However, in older adults, symptoms often present differently. To further complicate things, adults with age-related issues such as dementia may not be able to express their symptoms accurately. At Care Choice Home Care, our staff is instructed to watch not only for the classic symptoms of UTI’s but to watch for physical AND behavioral changes that might indicate a problem.
• Urinary incontinence that is not normal for the individual
• Lethargy
• Urinary retention
• Decreased mobility
• Falls
• Decreased appetite
Changes in behavior are a BIG indicator that something is wrong; very often a UTI. Although there are various theories as to why symptoms such as delirium and confusion occur in older adults with UTI’s, one theory s that blood vessels supplying the brain have become weaker with age and may be more apt to allow infection to pass to the nervous system.
• Restlessness
• Confusion
• Agitation
• Hallucinations
• Withdrawal
If any of these signs are being exhibited by an older adult that you’re caring for, contact your Caregiver, and seek medical advice promptly. Once your doctor suspects a UTI, a simple urinalysis will be able to confirm it. Antibiotics are usually the treatment of choice. Again, contact your physician as early as possible to avoid further complications.
So, how do we avoid those pesky UTI’s? Although not foolproof, here are some steps that might lesson your chance of infection:
• Drink PLENTY of fluids (water’s always best of course). HYDRATE! HYDRATE! HYDRATE!
• Change incontinence briefs and pads frequently
• Wipe and clean the genital area thoroughly, making sure you wipe from front to back after going to the bathroom.
• Urinate as soon as you have the urge to do so
• Talk to your medical provider immediately if you have symptoms that concern you. DON’T WAIT!
We hope this information is useful and helps raise basic awareness to an all-too-often overlooked problem that MANY older adults develop.
As always, if you or your loved ones are interested in learning more about Care Choice and the professional care services we provide, please contact us. Have a safe and HEALTHY summer!
“You’ll love the way we care!”