If you are in charge of the care for an elderly loved one, there are numerous health concerns that may arise. One of the most common health issues, especially in elderly women, is urinary tract infections. With that being said, it is important to know some of the facts regarding urinary tract infections for elderly adults. The more that you know about this health condition, the more you can help your elderly loved one if they get a urinary tract infection.
Overdiagnosed Condition
It is important to know that urinary tract infections are overdiagnosed. This means that with the slightest increase in urinary symptoms many elderly adults will be diagnosed with a urinary condition. This also means that they will be getting treatment for a urinary tract infection that they may not necessarily have.
Be Sure Your Elderly Loved One Has New Symptoms
As just mentioned, many elderly adults will be diagnosed with a urinary tract infection even if they don’t have new or worsening symptom. For instance, your elderly loved one may always have trouble completely emptying out their bladder. This doesn’t necessarily mean they have a urinary tract infection. Make sure you or your loved one’s home health care providers let the doctor know if these symptoms aren’t new.
Asymptomatic Bacteriuria
Many elderly adults are diagnosed and treated for asymptomatic bacteriuria. This is a condition that is common in elderly adults. It is also a condition that shouldn’t be tested for and should be left alone. It doesn’t require treatment. If your elderly loved one is told that they have this condition, they shouldn’t need to get antibiotics to treat it.
Be Aware of Overusing Antibiotics
Since urinary tract infections are often overdiagnosed, this means that antibiotics are often overused, as well. It is important to keep an eye on how often your elderly loved one uses antibiotics. If they use them too much, this could lead to increased tolerance of the medication and it may not work when your elderly loved one really needs it to. It is important to know that narrow-spectrum antibiotics should be used more often than broad-spectrum antibiotics.
These are some of the things that you should know about urinary tract infections and elderly adults. If your elderly loved one needs help at home when they have a urinary tract infection, you can count on home health care services to help manage their condition.
Sources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3878051/
https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/for-patients/common-illnesses/uti.html
If you or a loved one are considering Home Health Care Services in Fox Chapel PA, please call and talk to the caring staff at Extended Family Care of Pittsburgh at (412) 693-6009. We will answer all of your questions.
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