Mom's 88 has had 3 urinary tract infections. Each time she starts hallucinating seeing kids, dogs and cats. Advice?

My mom is just getting over her fourth UTI in just over three months. The first three showed a behavior changes and increased confusion. One of them showed as terrible pain in her back. This last one however, was most frightening and emulated a stroke. She could not walk and speech was terribly garbled, had a hard time saying anything. She spent two days in the hospital testing for stroke, with no determination that she had one. The medical staff is fairly certain the UTI caused the symptoms.

A friend of mine had chronic urinary tract infections and her doctor said to (1) be careful not to interrupt the flow of urine once started and (2) drink cranberry juice. These remedies worked for the friend.

Boccaratana, Know youre not alone, and the anxiety, it messes with us. I pray for you that things fall into place and that your peace be restored. I know its not at all easy. BIG HUGS

My mom is 97 and has been treated for about 4 months,been hospitalized and still has infection. The last trip to the drs,the nurse practitioner walked in and gave me a cup to fill and take to the lab. Because she is incontinent,it is virtually impossible to get an uncontaminated sample.When I tried to explain this,I was told by this trained professional that foul odor in the urine was not a sign of a uti. I have been unsuccessful with insurance to get a straight cath draw done and the drs office does not do this. Sometimes my nerves are stressed beyond my control just trying to get help for mom.

For unclear reasons, urinary tract infections do seem to affect brain function in older people particularly. She may not have full-blown dementia but could be at risk for it, maybe just "mild cognitive impairment" at this stage, and that plus low vision and the increased confusion and inflammation with the UTI makes her see things.

Puck, It may very well be the medications...that would happen to my father as well. they said theres nothing but try another in his case. I feel so bad for him when he has to take them.

In elderly women neurogenic bladder, vaginitis, diabetes are all causes that can lead to frequent urinary tract infections. You should go to a doctor and have your mom examined for risk factors related to these conditions.

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Urinary tract infections in older females is not unusual.Good hygiene is helpful.Sometimes they aren't able to clean themselves after a bowel movement like they should and contaminate themselves.Also,try to limit the caffeine and sodas they get into.Older females also don't always feel the burning and discomfort of a UTI,they may just complain they don't feel well with no specific cause.It;s difficult to tell if your elder person is always complaining.UTI's can become extremely serious causing sepsis,fancy word for infection,which can become life threatening.

I do know that bactrim was given to my mom once and she was crazy on it!

See a Urologist, there is a pill to prevent UTI's and they can take it nightly. Other than that, I would help her to wash and dry throughly with a mild soap, no perfumy types. Poor thing, good luck! My mom was on amoxicillin daily to prevent them but they stopped for so long I took her off of it. Her 92 year old friend is on another pill nightly but I do not know the name.