Recognizing Signs of UTI in the Elderly

Could an overlooked infection put your residents in danger? Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common health issue that many people are familiar with. However, even experienced and highly trained staff members may overlook the signs of UTI in the elderly, which can differ from the signs normally experienced by younger individuals. Undiagnosed UTIs can contribute to delirium and may put residents at risk of falls and other serious health issues, so this is an issue that deserves attention.

What Is a UTI?

According to the Mayo Clinic, a urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection of any part of the urinary system, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. However, infections typically affect the bladder and urethra. UTIs can impact both men and women, but women have a higher risk.

What Are the Typical Symptoms of a UTI?

The Mayo Clinic says that some UTIs don’t cause any symptoms. However, when symptoms occur, they often include the following:

• A strong urge to urinate that does not go away and urinate often but in small amounts.
• A burning sensation when urinating
• Urine that has a strong smell, looks cloudy, or appears red, pink, or brown due to blood in the urine
• Pelvic pain

While many people are familiar with these symptoms and may be able to recognize them quickly, UTI symptoms can vary depending on the part of the urinary tract that is infected. For example, an infection of the urethra often causes a burning sensation and discharge, while an infection of the bladder causes pelvic pressure, lower belly discomfort, frequent and painful urination, and blood in the urine. An infection of the kidneys can cause nausea, vomiting, shaking, chills, fever, and pain in the side or back.

Symptoms can also differ based on the individual’s age.

How Do UTIs Present in Elderly Patients?

The CDC says that older adults have a higher risk of developing UTIs.

However, diagnosis can be complicated because elderly individuals may show different symptoms. According to SIU Medicine, people over the age of 65 are more likely to exhibit confusion, fever, nausea, pain in the pubic or mid-to-lower back area, and urine that is foul-smelling and cloudy or has a reddish or pink hue.

While some of these symptoms can be associated with UTIs in younger individuals, confusion is not typically associated with UTIs. As a result, people who notice that an elderly resident is confused might not suspect a UTI right away. Instead, they may assume the issue is related to aging and dementia. This is dangerous because it means UTIs may go undiagnosed and untreated.

According to the Alzheimer’s Society, UTIs may cause sudden confusion in older people and people with dementia. Infections can also speed up the progression of dementia. If a person is suddenly confused, agitated, or withdrawn, a UTI should be considered.

Research published in Cureus explains that elderly individuals with UTIs may also experience low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, urinary incontinence, poor appetite, drowsiness, and frequent falls.

How Can Care Facilities Help Residents?

UTIs can be serious for elderly patients. If a UTI spreads to the kidneys and is not treated, it can cause permanent kidney damage and could even result in sepsis, a life-threatening condition. UTIs can also cause elderly residents to become confused and prone to falling, which can also have serious health effects.

Residents who are experiencing confusion may not be able to describe their symptoms or advocate for themselves, but your resident care facility staff can make a difference:

• Help residents to stay hydrated. Dehydration can make individuals vulnerable to UTIs.
• Help residents maintain good hygiene. It’s best to use unperfumed soap and avoid talcum powder.
• Encourage residents to use the bathroom when they need to. It’s important to urinate when needed, rather than to try to hold it.
• Watch for the signs of UTIs. Train staff on the atypical symptoms sometimes seen in elderly patients, including changes in behavior and appetite, confusion, and falls.
• Get medical care. If a resident shows signs of a UTI, medical care should be provided as soon as possible. A healthcare provider can prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.

By frequently reminding your team to be alert for all potential signs of UTI, you can help keep residents safe and reduce your liability. However, it’s still important to maintain residential care home insurance. Tangram provides residential care facility insurance through the Personal Care & Assisted Living Insurance Center (PCALIC). Learn more.