Does Your Elderly Loved One Have a UTI? Here Are Some Common Signs of This Health Condition.
A UTI can be painful and extremely uncomfortable. If someone gets a UTI, they will often need an antibiotic and/or other prescription medications or treatments. As a family caregiver, how are you supposed to know if your elderly loved one has a UTI? There are some common signs of this health condition that you may want to watch for in your elderly loved one. If they are noticed, you or a 24-hour home care provider can take your loved one to see a doctor for proper treatments.
Abdominal and/or Back Pain
If your elderly loved one does have a UTI, they might experience abdominal and/or back pain. Some senior citizens only experience pain in one of these areas, others might have pain in both areas, and in some cases there is no pain. With this being said, if your elderly loved one is having abdominal and/or back pain that doesn’t ease up within a day or so, it might be best to have a doctor see them to check for a UTI or other health conditions.
Cloudy, Foul-Smelling Urine
Another common sign of a UTI is cloudy, foul-smelling urine. If your elderly loved one comes to you or one of their elder care providers and says they are experiencing this, you should get them in to see their doctor soon. It is important for treatment to be prompt, so the infection (if it is present), doesn’t worsen.
Loss of Balance and Behavior Changes
Some other signs of a UTI are loss of balance and behavior changes. If you or the 24-hour home care providers notice that your elderly loved one is experiencing the following be sure to have them checked out by a medical professional:
- Walking unsteadily
- Tripping for no apparent reason
- Trouble standing up straight
- Irritability
- Extreme fatigue
- Increased confusion
These are common signs of a UTI that don’t seem to be apparent as they don’t directly signal urinary issues. However, it is still important to know that they can relate to a UTI.
Conclusion
How are you supposed to know if your elderly loved one has a UTI? The signs noted here today are signs of a UTI. If you or a 24-hour home care provider notice them in your elderly loved one or they tell you these things are happening, get them in to see a doctor as soon as you can.
If you or someone you know needs help with 24-Hour Home Care in Jenison, MI, contact Gauthier Family Home Care. We provide quality and affordable home care services in our community. Call us at (616) 258-2300 for more information.
Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3878051/
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