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Urinary Tract
Infections and Dementia |
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Summer is winding down for Joanna and me and that means
one thing – the boys are going back to school. We are looking forward
to a more regular routine, a reasonable bed time and of course youth
football. For caregivers, the change in seasons has no bearing on the
schedule of the patient they are caring for. The patient’s needs must
be addressed regardless of the season. This month I would like to discuss
one of the most common problems that elderly patients face.
Caring for an elderly loved one poses particular problems. The patient may
not be able to verbalize well enough to tell you how they feel or what
exactly is wrong. That means it is important to be aware that certain
symptoms may mean a person has a urinary tract infection.
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Many times there is a
misdiagnosis of dementia when the true problem is a urinary tract infection
(“UTI”).
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Many times there is a misdiagnosis of dementia when the
true problem is a urinary tract infection (“UTI”). If your
loved is showing unusual signs, please make sure that the health care
professional first eliminates UTI as the root cause before pursuing
treatments for delusions and dementia. Urinary tract infections in the
elderly or in people with Alzheimer’s disease can profoundly affect,
not only their health, but also can result in significant behavioral
changes. One should first consider whether changes in behavior may be due
to infections such as a urinary infection, constipation or other similar
physical issues.
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Caregivers need to be
able to recognize the symptoms of urinary tract infections and treat them
quickly.
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Caregivers need to be able to recognize the
symptoms of urinary tract infections and treat them quickly. Infections of
the urinary system (the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra) can be very
serious – even life threatening.
Urinary tract infections are the most common bacterial infections in older
adults. Diagnosis and treatment of UTIs are often challenging in older
adults residing in nursing homes, as their symptoms are not typical. There
are several factors that have been linked to the development of UTIs in the
elderly. These include increased age, menopause, abnormalities of the
urinary tract and dehydration.
Symptoms that may occur include painful or burning urination, urinary
frequency, incontinence or increased incontinence, pain over the bladder
area, flank pain and fever. It is common for a person with a urinary
infection to complain that, despite the urge to urinate, only a small
amount of urine is passed. Normally, a UTI does not cause fever if it is in
the bladder or urethra. A fever may mean that the infection has reached the
kidneys. Other symptoms of a kidney infection include pain in the back or
side below the ribs, nausea and vomiting.
Sometimes confusion and delirium are the only symptoms that
caregivers notice since the elderly, especially those with dementia, may
not complain of physical symptoms.
Some people are more prone to getting a UTI than others. Any abnormality of
the urinary tract that obstructs the flow of urine (a kidney stone, for
example) sets the stage for an infection. An enlarged prostate gland also
can slow the flow of urine, thus raising the risk of infection. A common
source of infection is catheters. A person who cannot urinate or who is
unconscious or critically ill often needs a catheter that stays in place
for a long time. Bacteria on the catheter can infect the bladder, so
hospital staff take special care to keep catheters clean and remove them as
soon as possible.
People with diabetes have a higher risk of a UTI because of changes
in the immune system. Other disorders that suppress the immune system also
raise the risk of a urinary tract infection.
Symptoms of UTIs
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Frequent urination along with the feeling of having to
urinate even though there may be very little urine to pass.
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Need to urinate during the night.
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Discomfort or pain at the urethral meatus or a burning
sensation throughout the urethra with urination.
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Pain in the midline suprapubic region.
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Pus in the urine or discharge from the
urethra.
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Blood in urine.
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Mild fever
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Cloudy and foul-smelling urine
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Increased confusion and associated falls that lead to
Emergency Room visits for elderly patients.
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Some urinary tract infections have no symptoms. |
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Sources: National Institutes of Health
Alzheimers.about.com
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“Family
Business” |
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Our family is busy, how bout yours?
The Houston family reunion was a huge hit. Dawn estimates that the crowd
consumed over 100 hamburgers and 15 lbs of barbecue! Theresa is taking a
full load at KSU this fall (though she still is avoiding chemistry),
Michaela and the Hurley boys return to school on the 19th and Miles is
planning a weekend trip to watch his beloved Tennessee Volunteers play
football.
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 Miles Hurley
Miles Hurley is the founding partner of Hurley Elder Care Law, which was
created to provide comprehensive legal solutions for families with age-
related events.
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Continue reading » |
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Charity Golf Tournament
Hurley Elder Care Law has a sponsorship in the Kitchen
Family/Alzheimer’s Association Charity Golf Tournament to be
held on Thursday, October 1, 209 at the Bentwater Golf
Club located at 100 Golf Links Drive, Acworth, GA 30101.
You are most welcome to join us as we tee off at 9:00 a.m., following the
8:00 a.m. registration. If interested in joining the Hurley team, please
give us a call. You will be helping to donate funds to the
Alzheimer’s Association in this four-person scramble event
along with showing your golfing expertise.
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Miles Hurley Presents:
08/20/09 – 11:30 a.m.
Marietta Pizza Company
08/27/09 – 12:30 p.m.
St. Joseph’s Hospital
09/01/09 – 5:30 p.m.
Alzheimer’s Support Group,
Carollton, GA
09/08/09 – 12:00 noon
N. Fulton Hospital
09/14/09 – 10:00 a.m.
United Hospice Social Work
09/18/09 – 4:00 p.m.
Geriatric Case Management
09/19/09 – 9:30 a.m.
Woodland Ridge Fair
09/24/09 – 12:00 p.m.
Winnwood Retirement
09/30/09 – 5:00 p.m.
Pasta Bella
09/30/09 – 11:30 a.m.
Piedmont Hospital
09/30/09 – 5:00 p.m.
Pasta Bella Restaurant
10/01/09 – 8:00 a.m.
Bentwater Golf Club
10/08/09 – 1:30 p.m.
Emory University
10/09/09
St. Phillip’s Cathedral
10/23/09 – 12:30 p.m.
NASW GA Chapter
10/26/09 – 5:00 p.m.
Provino’s Barrett Parkway
11/12/09 – 1:30 p.m.
Emory University
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For event details and more information, click
here. |
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