150 – Caring for UTIs in Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Nursing Homes

In This Episode:

Dr. K talks with fellow geriatrician and guest expert Chrissy Kistler, MD, discuss UTIs in two particular groups: older adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and those in nursing homes. They discuss the relationship between memory problems and UTIs, how to diagnose them when there’s confusion or weakness,  and the role of asymptomatic bacteriuria (“colonized bladder”) in these cases. 

They cover:

• 0:32 UTIs in Alzheimer, dementia, and nursing homes
• Diagnosing UTIs in Alzheimer’s and Dementia
• Defining UTIs
• UTIs and Confusion
• Why urine cultures are often positive
• Infections in terminal dementia
• How to detect UTI in memory loss and dementia
• Can ongoing UTI cause memory loss?
• Treating & Preventing Recurrent UTIs
• UTIs in Nursing Homes
• Urinary catheters and UTIs
• Tips for families

Related episode:

149 – UTIs in Older Adults: Symptoms & Prevention

Related Resources:

• UTIs and Urine Bacteria in Aging: How to get the right diagnosis & avoid unneeded antibiotics
• 10 Things to Know About Delirium
• CDC: Urinary Tract Infection Basics
• Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria: 2019 Update by Infectious Disease Society of America