drinking plenty of fluids
changing incontinence briefs frequently
avoiding bladder irritants such as caffeine and alcohol
keeping the genital area clean by wiping front to back after going to the bathroom
not using douches
urinating as soon as the urge hits
Cranberry juice has shown mixed results in preventing UTIs. More research is needed.
Proper nursing home or long-term care is critical in preventing UTIs, especially for people who are immobile and unable to take care of themselves. They rely on others to keep them clean and dry. If you or a loved one is a nursing home resident, talk to management about how they manage personal hygiene. Make sure they’re aware of UTI symptoms in older adults and how to respond.
The takeaway
A UTI can cause confusion and other symptoms of dementia in older adults. Taking preventive steps and looking out for UTI symptoms should help prevent infection. If your doctor diagnoses a UTI early, your outlook is good.
Antibiotics cure most UTIs. Without treatment, a UTI can spread to the kidneys and the bloodstream. This may lead to a life-threatening blood infection. Severe infections may require hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics. These can take weeks to resolve.
Get medical attention if you suspect that you or a loved one has a UTI.