Urine orange/red, no UTI. What should I do now?

My mom's UTIs sometimes don't show up on the tests, I believe because old and very old people are more sensitive to the bacteria than the normal test allows for.

In my experience, a good doctor or nurse will know this is true, but unfortunately the majority do not and seem to right away go into the mode of "test right, caregiver wrong" and get stuck there. In that case, I find a new doctor or nurse.

The Alzheimer's Association has a wonderful 24-hour help line which covers people with all kinds of dementia, even simple memory loss. That has been a lifesaver for me because they live in the reality of human beings, not the wierd "laboratory/ drug land" of many in the medical establishment.

Reality land is where a senior's UTI usually expresses itself as mental confusion and weakness. Totally normal.

Oh, and that may be as helpful as her current doctor can be. If her dementia is progressing, there isn't a whole lot to be done, except love her and keep her comfortable and as content as possible.

Another set of eyes would still be good, especially a geriatrician's eyes. But realize that there are not a lot of treatments for late stage dementia.

Having a geriatrician for the PCP can be extremely helpful for elders. I'm considering when I should switch myself!

Cwillie - a fresh set of eyes resonates with me. Good thought. I wish there was a way to get all her care under one view.

I would take her to an urgent care or ER, it sounds to me as though she needs a thorough work up and you need access to a new doctor with a fresh set of eyes.