Alzheimer's care helps with specialized support to observe and mitigate issues that might go undiagnosed, like UTIs.

Alzheimer’s care helps with specialized support to observe and mitigate issues that might go undiagnosed, like UTIs.

If your elderly loved one has dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, there is a lot of care that you need to do for them, and you have learned that many things look differently now than they used to. Meals are presented in a completely different fashion, conversations go in directions you never thought about, and health issues become much more difficult to diagnose and treat, even with specialized Alzheimer’s care.

Because many elderly individuals with Alzheimer’s don’t communicate as well, minor infections like Urinary Tract Infections can develop without those caring for them knowing it. Add in the fact that for unknown reasons, UTIs often present with a wide range of symptoms in Alzheimer’s patients that are different than how they present themselves in healthy adults, and it can make detecting one even more difficult.

Having an Alzheimer’s care team assist with the care of your elderly loved one can help you understand the symptoms better; it’s good to know them yourself so you can work with your Alzheimer’s care team in creating a healthy and safe environment for your loved one.

 

Urinary Tract Infections

UTIs can occur in both men and women but are more common in women. They are caused when bacteria enter the urethra and create an infection of the urinary tract.

While some of the more common symptoms, such as frequent urination or a burning sensation when urinating, may occur for your loved one when she develops a UTI, one set of symptoms to now watch for are delirium symptoms. It is unclear why UTIs cause delirium in some individuals with dementia, but the good news is that if you and Alzheimer’s care providers spot these behaviors and find out they are caused by a urinary tract infection, you can better treat your loved one with antibiotics and help her recover quickly.

 

Delirium Symptoms

Delirium symptoms appear within a day or two of the infection and occur when there is a change in your loved one’s mental state. It is often the first symptom of a urinary tract infection for those with Alzheimer’s disease.

 

UTI and Alzheimer’s Care

Delirium symptoms brought on by a UTI that your Alzheimer’s Care team should look for.

  1. Being distracted easily. Your loved one may have a harder time than normal focusing on everyday tasks like eating, self-care, and conversations.
  2. Losing awareness. Your elderly loved one might seem less aware of where she is, what day it is, and what time of day it is.
  3. Having hallucinations. Some elderly Alzheimer’s patients may see things that aren’t there when battling a UTI.
  4. Speaking unclearly. You might notice that their speech becomes very garbled, and you are no longer able to understand what they are trying to say. They might have a harder time finding the right words.
  5. Becoming paranoid or having delusions. Your loved one might begin to think people she cares about or trusts are now trying to hurt her.
  6. Being combative or violent. Because of the delusions, your loved one might become more aggressive toward those trying to help.
  7. Exhibiting new and abnormal behaviors. If your loved one suddenly starts re-arranging her room in a non-sensical way or stops being able to use her legs to walk, it might be a UTI.

 

Knowing these symptoms is important because early detection and treatment for patients with dementia is especially important. An undiagnosed UTI case can speed up the progressive symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s care can help with education and observation, helping you provide the best care for your loved one with Alzheimer’s.

 

 

If you or an aging loved one is considering Alzheimer’s Care in Levittown, NY, please contact the caring staff at Brookville Homecare today. 516-802-7722