A urinary tract infection (commonly referred to as a UTI) is an infection in any part of the urinary tract, which consists of the urethra, ureters, bladder and kidneys. These infections typically start lower down in the body (for example, in the urethra) but if left untreated, can turn into a more serious kidney infection or even sepsis. A UTI occurs when bacteria enters the urinary tract and can happen to anyone, but are more common in women as a result of their anatomy.
A urinary tract infection can happen at any age, but symptoms often present uniquely in seniors. This sometimes allows UTIs to go unnoticed (and subsequently untreated) in older individuals.
What you need to know about UTIs
A UTI can cause pain or discomfort during urination as well as pelvic pressure and bloating, frequent urination and in some cases, discharge. If the kidneys are affected, there may be a high fever with nausea, chills and back pain, among other symptoms. While a UTI can be very uncomfortable (and inconvenient due to frequent urination), some individuals have more noticeable symptoms than others. This type of infection is detectable with a simple urine test and can be treated with antibiotics.
UTIs in seniors
Seniors get UTIs more often than younger individuals. As Healthline reports, “Your UTI risk increases with age. According to one study, more than one-third of all infections in people in nursing homes are UTIs. More than 10 percent of women over age 65 report having a UTI within the past year. That number increases to almost 30 percent in women over 85.”
The symptoms of a UTI can also present uniquely in seniors. Many older individuals—especially those with dementia—experience confusion and irritability when sick with a urinary tract infection. They may also experience incontinence, legathy or urinary retention. Some seniors experience out-of-character falls when suffering from a UTI. Decreased appetite and mobility may become an issue as well. If your aging loved one is showing any of these symptoms, with or without clear urination issues, please seek medical care. Our caregivers are very familiar with the signs of UTIs in seniors and will advise clients and their families whenever concerns arise.
Prevention and treatment
A UTI can happen to anyone regardless of their personal hygiene habits, but is more likely to happen when poor hygiene is an issue (for example, sitting in a soiled diaper or inadequate wiping after toilet use). For this reason, it’s important to ensure cleanliness, particularly after a bowel movement. Ensure that your loved one is wearing clean underwear daily and if they wear incontinence products, confirm that they are changed efficiently. Our caregivers can help provide this type of care and support as needed—please reach out to us to learn more.
Other preventative measures include drinking plenty of fluids (water and cranberry juice are typically advised, though evidence is limited on the specific effectiveness of the latter) and avoiding the use of any powders or deodorant products in that region. In short: keep things clean, avoid the use of intimate care products and drink a lot of water.
Urinary tract infections are not pleasant, but generally speaking, they’re easy to treat and nothing to worry about if cared for properly. If you suspect that you or an aging loved one has a urinary tract infection, please see your family doctor as soon as possible. Thanks for reading, and take care!