Alzheimer’s Care Is Important for Bladder Health
It’s National Bladder Health Month. Your mom has Alzheimer’s, which makes it a critical time to address her bladder health. People with Alzheimer’s often experience UTIs in the middle and late stages, and it can be hard to identify them. How well is your mom doing when it comes to her bladder health?
The Risk of UTI in Alzheimer’s Patients
Alzheimer’s Care Spokane County, WA: Bladder Control
One study found that four out of five adults with dementia had urinary incontinence. This increases the risk of a UTI. A UTI occurs when bacteria makes it into the urethra, which is more likely if your mom is sitting in damp underwear or not wiping herself properly. Back to front may be easiest for your mom, but it’s also the most likely to lead to a UTI.
Another issue with UTI is that your mom may not remember if she’s had a drink lately. She could go all day without remembering to drink. Even if she gets her own drink, she will forget it’s there and once it’s cold or the ice has melted, she dumps it without having taken a sip or two.
Your mom needs to go to the bathroom, but she doesn’t pay attention to the cues. Or, she gets sidetracked along the way and by the time she actually decides to find the bathroom, she’s already had an accident or has held her urine for so long that she’s creating bladder health issues.
When your mom has a UTI, the signs may not be what you’d expect. The signs of a UTI often include agitation, confusion, and anger. Those are common occurrences in Alzheimer’s, so it’s difficult to differentiate. Eventually, she may experience back or abdominal pain, but again, you may not associate that with a UTI.
You have to start learning to question everything. If your mom is distressed or agitated, assume she has a UTI. Keep test strips on hand and keep a collector pan on the toilet. Ideally, aim for one that your mom will have a hard time removing. When you get a urine sample in the pan, test it out of habit. If you find anything suspicious, call her doctor.
Alzheimer’s Care Services Protect Her
When your mom is having a harder time remembering how to get to the bathroom, when she last had a glass of water, or cleaning herself after using the toilet, it’s time for Alzheimer’s care services.
At this point in time, UTIs become a major risk, and they will quickly go from bad to worse. She may not be able to communicate that she’s not feeling right and is having issues with bladder health. You need an expert who can make sure she’s assisted with toileting and hydration and prevent the UTI from impacting her bladder health.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Alzheimer’s Care in Spokane County, WA please contact the caring staff at Angel Senior Care today at (509) 326-4357.
Sources:
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2021.777819/full
After watching our own family members struggle with the need for compassionate home care, we determined that we could be that caring solution and provide home care in Spokane – not just for our family, but for seniors throughout Spokane County. We like to think of our clients as our extended family, and we treat them with the same dignity and respect our own grandparents and parents would expect to receive.
Our feeling is that while all of our caregivers need to be qualified in terms of certifications and experience, our goal is to hire those that are unique in their drive to show service and respect to the elderly. We hire only those caregivers who share our purpose, passion, and commitment.
Between the two of us, we have more than 30 years’ combined experience in the health care industry and are committed to providing the best Spokane senior care. We have utilized that experience to create a care-centered business model that puts the health and well being of our clients first.
When you entrust the care of your loved one to the experience and commitment of Angel Senior Care, you can rest easy knowing they are looked after, both physically and emotionally.
Sincerely, Vaughn & Donna Young
- Six Ways Hospice Care Helps Seniors Dealing with End-stage COPD - February 20, 2024
- Understanding the Therapeutic Benefit of Crafting for Seniors - February 5, 2024
- How Does Heart Rate Affect Seniors’ Health? - January 22, 2024