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Alzheimer’s and UTI’s

UTI’s, or urinary tract infections, can cause changes in people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia. They are common among people with dementia, attributed to age and partly due to increasing difficulty with hygiene and personal care.

There are various signs and symptoms of a UTI, which can occur in women and in men. People with a UTI may experience burning when they urimate as well as a frequent, intense urge. They may also have back or abdominal pain. Changes in behavior could be due to a UTI fever and increased pain.

A sampling of instances:

> “When my mother has a UTI she sleeps all day. We can’t get her out of bed, she will also stop eating.”

> “Even falling and ahallucinations can mean to check for a UTI.”

> “Females often develop “silent” urinary tract infections. They are called silent because they

usually have no symptoms of pain, no burning, no odor, no frequency, but there will be profound changes in behaviors.”

The easiest way to get a sample for the doctor is with urine collection device, also known as a top hat, nun’s hat, or urine specimen collector. It fits on the below below the toilet seat and has a little spout to pour into a the collection cup. Ask your healthcare provider for several cups and it will be easier to do this from home.

Generally, once the UTI has been treated with antibiotics, the person returns to their baseline and there is no lasting harm done.