Urinary tract infections (UTI) are the most common infection diagnosed in adult long-term care patients.

UTIs diagnosed in elderly Americans are common. It’s important to learn and educate yourself about the signs and symptoms of UTIs. 

Read on to learn more common symptoms of UTI in the elderly.

Signs and Symptoms

Urinary tract infections are easy to treat. The signs and symptoms of a UTI seen in elderly people can mimic harmful diseases. So it’s important to learn the signs and symptoms of a UTI.

UTIs are unseen and difficult to determine within elderly patients. An undiagnosed and untreated UTI can cause various issues to an elderly patient.

Symptoms of UTI in the Elderly

Symptoms of a UTI can vary from person to person and there are general signs that apply to younger people. General symptoms of a UTI include burning when urinating and frequent urination.

Elderly people suffering from a UTI experience different and unusual symptoms. This is because their immune systems are weaker than younger people.

• Confusion
• Agitation
• Disorientation

Urinary incontinence is also common in the elderly when they have a UTI. Other symptoms in seniors include restlessness and agitation.

Causes

UTIs are caused by bacteria or fungi. The bacteria or fungi enter the urinary tract system of the patient. E. coli bacteria is the most common cause of a UTI. 

The most common cause of a UTI, especially in the elderly, is E. coli. Other bacteria can cause UTI infections as well. UTIs are prominent in elderly patients who use catheters.

Risk Factors

There are a few factors that increase the risk of seniors developing a UTI. Immune system changes is a major contributor to UTI diagnosis in seniors.

Seniors living in a long-term care facility are more susceptible to UTIs. This can expose them to new and unfamiliar bacteria within the facility.

Many seniors have reoccurring UTIs, which may worsen their condition. If they’re diagnosed with 3 UTIs in the span of 6 months, there is an issue.

Treatment

A prescription of antibiotics is the primary treatment for elderly patients who have been diagnosed with a UTI. According to a study done in 2019, elderly people who had a UTI and didn’t take antibiotics were more likely to die. This was because the infection spread to their bloodstream. 

Patients who prescribed antibiotics showed to improve the patient’s condition.

Prevention

Having weak pelvic floor muscles is a great way to preventing future UTIs. This Yarlap device can help your strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. This product is FDA approved to safely tone your pelvic floor muscles.

Some doctors tell their patients to try to drink cranberry juice to prevent UTIs. You can also take a cranberry capsule in place of the juice.

Intravaginal estriol therapy can benefit some women. Women don’t get their period, may find this procedure beneficial.

Some experts recommend taking a prophylactic nightly supplement for six months. But, it is best to speak to your doctor to work out a treatment plan for reoccurring UTIs.

How You Can Help

Signs and symptoms of UTI in the elderly are a little different than in younger people. The most common symptom of a UTI is burning when the person is urinating.

The primary cause of a UTI is E. coli, but other bacteria can cause the infection as well.

It’s dangerous to leave a UTI untreated in elderly patients. It’s best to take seniors to a health care professional right away if they have a UTI.