What is the rationale for treating a UTI in a elderly, stage 6 dementia patient?
I have often read on this site about people treating UTIs in advanced dementia pts and I have often wondered why you would choose to do so. Yes, UTIs can be painful, but the pain can be controlled without antibiotic therapy. Yes, UTIs can cause death, but aren't we just delaying the inevitable? After all our family member is already suffering a terminal illness and UTIs in the elderly are often recurrent and a constant battle.
I would be very interested in your points of view as I'm just not getting it.
if the infections were back to back and not responding to antibiotics then i would possibly agree with you .
Look, any time a doctor suggests a treatment, the patient, or the person holding medical poa is free to refuse. As my mom's medical poa, my brothers and I think long and hard about treatment that is offered, when it seems that it is delaying the inevitable. Treatments that improve mom's comfort and quality if life are instituted. If a UTI is causing paranoia and hallucinations, I would certainly treat it. In elders, they don't seem so much to cause physical pain, as psychiatric - seeming symptoms.