What’s the #1 sign of a UTI in the elderly?
The answer is… confusion! If an elderly person has a sudden onset of confusion or is unable to do daily tasks they were once doing, the most common reason for this change in mental status is a urinary tract infection or UTI. Urinary tract infections are common in people over the age of 65, and more common in women than men. If you are the main caregiver of an elderly person and you notice a sudden change in their mental status, you should call and talk with your doctor immediately. A UTI is not the only reason for a change in mental status so getting immediate help is necessary. A UTI left undiagnosed can lead to sepsis (a bacterial infection of the bloodstream) and death if not treated. There are other common signs of a UTIs but they may not present in the elderly such as: painful urination, more frequent urination, sudden incontinence (loss of bladder control), flank pain and fever. Once the proper diagnosis is made and a treatment of antibiotics is prescribed, you should see the return of the elder’s mental status to normal. To find out more go to: http://seniors-health-medicare.suite101.comor http://elder-care-community.aplaceformom.com