My mom has vascular dementia. She wears depends and won't drink sufficient water. She has had 2 UTIs in the past 6 months...both times she knew she had them! First time she said she was urinating a lot, second time it burned once. The first was diagnosed by her PCP in office, so I assume they used a quick test. 2nd time by urgent care with culture.
Her PCP now wants her to see a urologist.
I can take her to the practice where my dad is seen for prostate cancer, but I am not sure it is worth it. She won't cooperate with prevention strategies like changing depends more often, drinking water, using bathroom on a schedule, etc., so not sure of the point.
She lives in AL facility with my dad. They try to get her to follow a prevention routine, but she says no, so they cannot force her. If dad tries, she gets mad and says he is bossing her around. When doctors tell her, she says she never heard it before.
The one thing I can probably get her to do is drink cranberry juice regularly.
Thoughts??????
It has been said here, to make sure her urine is cultured so she gets the right antibiotic.
A urologist may not hurt but I would not recommend a scope. My Mom had dementia and I refused to put her thru anything like that. She had no idea what was going on and it all frightened her.
An additional benefit from the treatment was that her incontinence was reduced.
In short, I think the urologist visit for your Mom might be worth it.
I made signs for her side table and the bathroom that tell her to
1. Drink 2 bottles of water a day
2. Go to the bathroom every 2 hours when staff reminds her... if she can't pee, she needs to check her pad to see if it is wet and change it if it is
3. Wash her private parts with a wet washcloth every morning and every night
4. Look at her pee in the toilet...if it is not pale yellow or clear, drink more water
Her understanding of visual information is way better than info she get orally.
We will see. I took on the role of bad cop because she gets mad at my dad when he reminds her to drink and use the bathroom. She does not want to drink because going to the bathroom is a chore.
Fingers crossed.😉
do not let the urologist put her on any prescription for incontinence as they are implicated in causing dementia too.
Honestly, I would let her be, but I am trying to save myself from trips to hospital and urgent care. Maybe I'm being selfish, but I am getting tired of having to put myself out because she won't cooperate.
My dad won't even go to the hospital with her anymore because she won't cooperate with her care.
I totally get it.
This works! You may have to administer two bottles and then but her 1 tsp daily maintenance.