Urinary Tract
Infections in the Elderly
Having worked in
obstetrics and gynecology for many years, the
classic signs and symptoms of a urinary tract
infection, also known as a UTI, were routine. By
routine I mean I'd ask the same questions. Do
you having burning when you urinate, does it
hurt, and do you feel as if you have to go and
you can't hold it? Does your urine appear
cloudy or have a pink hue, (which may be because
of blood)? Is there an odor? If the answer to
any of these questions was yes, you probably
were suffering from a UTI and you would be asked
to give us a urine sample as a diagnostic tool.
A culture would be done and more than likely you
would be sent home with an antibiotic.
Ah, but then came
my life working with the elderly. These signs
and symptoms still exist but the number one sign
of a urinary tract infection in the elderly is a
charge in behavior. If your loved one wakes up
one morning and they seem confused, disoriented,
angry or hostile - my first thought is they may
have a urinary tract infection.
A perfect example
happened to me in my work place just last week.
My Director of Nursing was reading an incident
report about how a resident of ours was
abusive toward staff by cursing and screaming.
My immediate response to her was we need to get
a UA on him because this behavior is atypical.
Later in the afternoon, his physician diagnosed
him with a kidney infection and started him on
the appropriate antibiotic. The charming
behavior that I know of this patient was
returned to normal. He was not losing his mind
nor was he abusive with intent, he was sick.
So this is an
important lesson for families caring for their
loved ones at home. If your loved one changes
their mood or behavior with no explanation,
think about a UTI. You probably will save
yourself a lot of grief and help to restore the
well-being of your loved one.
Jeanne L.
Stanton, R. N., Administrator, Windsor Court
Assisted Living
www.wincourt.com
jstanton@windsorcares.com
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