The main factors sending elderly people to the hospital are surprisingly simple, and avoidable. “Accidents from falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries,” reported the CDC. Prevention is the easiest way to keep your loved ones safe. Falling isn’t the only easily avoidable factor to keeping seniors out of the hospital, keeping them hydrated and avoiding UTIs may be even more important than you ever imagined.
According to Pacific Urology, “The second most common infection in the body, behind the common cold is a urinary tract infection. UTIs account for roughly 8.1 million hospital visits per year. What’s worse, if you’ve had a UTI, you are prone to contract another.” Sadly, as we age, urinary tract infections can bring on a whole new set of problems. If suddenly your aging loved ones seem disoriented, lethargic, or confused the cause may be something as simple as a bladder infection.
It is also believed that a UTI can make symptoms of dementia even worse. While a urinary tract infection is usually easy to diagnose in young women, elderly women rarely show the same clear symptoms like pain and discomfort when urinating or having sex. “In addition to being a leading cause of sepsis, a potentially life-threatening infection, a UTI can also contribute to dementia. A bladder infection places stress on the body which ultimately contributes to worsening the effects of any disease the body is suffering from like Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease,” a Place for Mom.
Sudden incontinence may also be just another side effect of a bladder infection. “Older people who suddenly become incontinent or who begin acting lethargic or confused should be checked by a doctor for a bladder infection,” WebMD. And the experts at WebMD believe, “male bladder infections become more common as men age due to enlarged prostates.
The bladder and the brain are very connected, and when the bladder is suffering, the mind will do the same. Seniors will often dehydrate themselves on accident, and dehydration can lead to a UTI, which can cause dizziness, and confusion. Many aging seniors are opting to “age in place” and families are depending upon registered nurses, in-home care services, and caregivers to monitor their day-to-day life and keep them happy, healthy, and safe.
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