6 UTI Symptoms to Watch For In Your Senior Loved One

UTIs Affect 150 Million People Every Year

Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are common bacterial infections usually caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli). Seniors might experience UTI symptoms like abnormal urine, confusion, discomfort, fever, painful urination, urinary urgency, or incontinence. While these are symptoms commonly associated with UTIs, they aren’t always caused by a UTI. If your loved one is experiencing these symptoms, a doctor may be able to help.

What Are the Symptoms of a UTI?

Older adults can be more susceptible to UTIs because of age-related changes. This is especially true for those who are post-menopausal. Menopause brings hormone changes, particularly changes in estrogen. Estrogen levels drop after menopause, causing thinner skin and less acidity. This makes it easier for bacteria to grow.

If your senior loved one has a UTI, here are some of the symptoms they might experience:

• Abnormal Urine: During UTIs, urine may smell unusual or appear cloudy. The irritation and inflammation from UTIs can also cause blood to appear in the urine.
• Confusion: Older adults may experience confusion and disorientation when they have a UTI. While confusion does not always come from a UTI, a doctor may still check for UTIs just in case.
• Discomfort: UTIs can cause pain in the bladder, the middle of the back, and the lower back. This is known as the costovertebral area. The kidneys are located here.
• Fever: Any infections can cause fevers, including UTIs. Keep an eye on fevers with a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or greater. Similar to confusion, a fever doesn’t always indicate the presence of a UTI, but it’s always good to check.
• Painful Urination: UTIs can cause pain and discomfort in different areas, including while using the bathroom. The term for painful urination is dysuria.
• Urinary Urgency and Incontinence: UTIs can cause urinary urgency, which is a sudden and uncontrollable need to urinate. If someone can’t make it to the bathroom in time, they might have incontinence or leakage.

Can Griswold Support My Loved One with Dementia?

Here at Griswold Home Care for Sumter & Kershaw, we proudly provide dementia care support. If your loved one has Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia, we can support them at any stage. For earlier stages, we can help your loved one stay on top of everyday tasks, chores, and hygiene. For those in a later stage of dementia, we can assist with stimulating cognitive activities and help them recall a life well-lived. We can also track changes over time. At any stage, we can help with hydration and hygiene to prevent future UTIs.

Our Director, Jason DuBose, is certified to train our Caregivers in dementia care support. This certification comes from the Alzheimer’s Association-approved Griswold PATH Program. PATH stands for Personalized Approach, Training, and Holistic Support. Through PATH, our Caregivers learn person-centered techniques, communication skills, and behavioral management techniques.

We also work with GUIDE, the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience Model. This is a Medicare program designed to provide comprehensive dementia support. We’re a participating respite care provider! Eligible families may be able to receive dozens of hours of in-home caregiving support each year. Two GUIDE participants we partner with are Ceresti Health and PocketRN.

Who Is Griswold?

We provide non-medical care for those living in NE Columbia, including Sumter, Kershaw, and Clarendon counties. In addition to personal care, companionship, homemaking, respite care, and dementia care support, we also provide care around-the-clock. Use the button below to learn more and schedule a complimentary in-home assessment.