Last week was a very difficult week with Mom. She didn’t want to walk or fully wake up. She wasn’t sleeping well either. Her confusion was deep and we couldn’t reach her. Everything was difficult since she was so far from us. We thought it was an inevitable decline in her cognitive state.
Thankfully, our caregiver Laverne suggested she might have a urinary tract infection (UTI). Many of the symptoms are invisible with dementia patients because of their inability to describe how they are feeling. Mom didn’t run a fever or exhibit any other of the typical outward symptoms that I might recognize. Instead she experienced agitation, lethargy, confusion, and decreased mobility. Since some days are simply deeper into the fog (how I describe the dementia), Dad and I simply missed it.
So I’m taking this week of Mondays with Mom as a public service announcement for all caregivers out there. Hopefully you are more aware than we were, but just in case, here is a list of symptoms of which to be aware:
Classic UTI symptoms:
- Burning with urination
- Pelvic pain
- Frequent urination
- An urgent need to urinate
- Fever
- Chills
- Urine with an abnormal odor
Potential symptoms for older adults:
- Incontinence
- Agitation
- Lethargy
- Confusion
- Hallucination
- Falls
- Urinary retention
- Decreased mobility
- Decreased appetite
Signs of acute infection:
- Fever
- Flushed skin
- Back pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
The diagnosis can be simple; a urine sample will be sent to a lab to discover which bacteria are causing the infection and which medicine will eradicate the bug. A prescription of antibiotics will often clear out the UTI. There are more complicated infections which require more testing and stronger drugs, but hopefully Mom’s will get knocked out this round.
UTIs are a common infection. Although women have a higher incidence, men can also get UTIs. To reduce the risk, drink more water and cranberry juice. There are many websites with additional information. Be informed and learn from our mistake.
As always, I think of you, fellow caregivers. We’re all plugging along similar, difficult paths. May this week be an easier week for you and the ones you love.
