We've all heard the saying. Most of us have used it.
Getting old is tough.
Here's the thing. As our bodies start to age, we run into more and more medical issues.
Some are more difficult to diagnose than others.
Take, for example, a urinary tract infection (or UTI).
Typical symptoms of a urinary tract infection include urine that appears cloudy, bloody strong or foul-smelling, as well as a frequent or urgent need to urinate.
Other symptoms include pain or burning with urination, pressure in the lower pelvis, a low-grade fever, or night sweats, shaking, or chills.
However, urinary tract infections in the elderly are often mistaken as the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s because symptoms include confusion or a delirium-like state, agitation, hallucinations, poor motor skills or dizziness, other behavioral changes, or falling.
Sometimes, these are the only symptoms of a urinary tract infection that show up in the elderly.
They may not have pain, a fever, or any of the other typical symptoms of a urinary tract infection.
A urinary tract infection happens when bacteria in the bladder or kidney multiplies in the urine. Left untreated, a urinary tract infection can become something more serious than merely a set of uncomfortable symptoms.
Young people tend to empty the bladder completely, which helps to keep bacteria from accumulating within the bladder. However, elderly men and women experience a weakening of the muscles of the bladder, which leads to more urine being retained in the bladder, poor bladder emptying and incontinence, which can lead to urinary tract infections.
Our team at Always Best Care Senior Services of Central Connecticut has seen countless cases of UTI's that masked themselves as dementia. Not only is it painful for the person suffering from it, but the UTI can have a huge impact on the ability of the senior to accomplish regular tasks.
Interested in learning more about the challenges facing seniors - or the challenges families face in caring for aging relatives?
Reach out to Always Best Care Senior Services of Central Connecticut today and let us help guide you.
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