Sudden Change Older Adults’ Demeanor Might Signal Urinary Tract Infection
Dear Carol: I’m writing to tell your readers about what our family went through with our 86-year-old mom. She’d been doing great until one day I let myself in her door and she was sitting in her chair staring into space. She seemed disoriented and lethargic, so I asked her if she had any pain. She shook her head, no, but I felt her forehead and it was overly warm. Since she was able to stand with help, I got her in the car and took her to the emergency room where they gave her several other tests before finally testing her urine. Sure enough, she had a urinary tract infection. They gave her antibiotics and sent her home, so I stayed with her, and by the next day, she was alert again. Keep reminding your readers to consider a UTI whenever there’s a sudden change in an older adult – even someone without dementia! – RD
Dear RD: Thanks for thinking of other caregivers. You did the right thing for your mom because even if there hadn’t been a UTI, she needed to be checked. Sudden changes…
Discover the Difference. EGOSAN: The premium incontinence brand caregivers love – Now Available on Amazon.
Geriatrician Opens Support Group to New Members Year-Around: https://betterhealthwhileaging.mykajabi.com/hop-aging-parents-webinar-signup
Support a caregiver or jump-start discussion in support groups with real stories – for bulk orders of Minding Our Elders e-mail Carol