Dementia patient constantly has UTI. Has anyone else dealt with this? Any suggestions?

My husband was prescribed methenimine daily and it seems to be working.

Hi OP! Keep in mind, that if there’s a catheter, there’ll always be a UTI. Whenever tested, they’ll always find a UTI. (Your aunt doesn’t have a catheter, but I mention it anyway).

Regarding catheter:

Some doctors give antibiotics no matter what, but it’s sometimes unnecessary and only hurts the stomach (antibiotics have side-effects). In addition, some people in the urine have a combination of resistant and non-resistant bacterias. In other words, antibiotics will never kill the resistant ones.

I know someone with a catheter: hence non-stop UTIs. But, the doctor explained, as long as there are no symptoms, don’t treat the UTI. Not every UTI needs to be treated.

Sometimes the person was very weak, no fever, didn’t want to get up from bed: signs that the infection is increasing.

Sometimes, the doctor just prescribed: drink more water!

And the doctor was right. A few hours later, the person was already OK.

Sometimes (stronger UTI), the doctor prescribed antibiotics: some days later OK.

Also keep in mind:
drinking lots of water every day helps prevent UTIs.

My dad has been going through a similar thing, we went to the urologist and I asked about d mannose, he said we only prescribe it for women, I think the fact that a supplement is prescribed is brilliant and as been said here it’s been helpful. I still find it staggering the change a UTI brings in their personalities.

I know dad is a different gender, but he has also been on prophylactic antibiotics and still got UTIs - he also has a catheter which can complicate.
I would try getting an appt with a urologist and in the meantime try the supplement,
best wishes to you and your aunt

Very common problem. I believe they should be in a care home if this is chronic. Family caregiver x 4. Kept them home too long.

This problem is more common than you might imagine. Your Aunt's PCP has already gone the route that is the most drastic and that is daily prophylactic antibiotics, something they truly hate to do because of resistance of bacteria with overuse of medications. This problem is more common with women following menopause due to the thinning of the mucous membranes of the urethra, which keeps a "tight fit" normally in closing when there is hormonal activity. Also due to the fact that the urethra in the female is very short, meaning bacteria can enter the bladder easily.
I myself was having frequent bladder infections at one period with no know reason, and was helped by a daily d-mannose pill; not a great believer in supplements and vitamins, this is the one I swear by and take to this day as it is now decades since I have had an infection. As a nurse I already knew good hygiene, and there was no incontinence, so who knows the reason; my doc and I could never figure it out.
About all we here can do is wish you well. The ALF is doing the correct thing by sending your Aunt for care, as she is prone now to sepsis. You already are aware of the mentation changes that can occur.
It is worth a visit to a urologist at this point to get as good a checkup as she is able. This is hard to live with and I am sorry she is going through it. I wish I had more to offer, but the D-mannose is worth a try at least. It works much like cranberry juice in keeping bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall apparently. Wish you luck.

My mom had chronic uti’s , it was due to scar tissue build up from them. The urologist gave her a prescription that is taken with vitamin c to even out the scar tissue ..no more pockets for bacteria to breed….. (sorry I don’t remember the name of the med) it eliminated the UTI merry go round. I would take her to a urologist…

It has less to do with hygiene and more to do with bodies changing as we age:

"Older adults are more vulnerable to UTIs, because as we age, we tend to have weaker muscles in our bladder and pelvic floor that can cause urine retention or incontinence. Whenever the urine stays in the urinary tract, there’s a potential for bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, or E. coli, to multiply and cause an infection to spread.

Other factors that increase the risk of UTIs in seniors are a weakened immune system, the use of catheters to empty the bladder, diabetes and kidney problems.
Older women have UTIs more often than older men because of the female anatomy and lower estrogen. Women produce lower amounts of estrogen after menopause. This can create an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in the vagina, which can lead to infection.

Other causes are due to aging inflammation in the vagina, such as atrophic vaginitis and fallen bladders producing impaired urine flow..."

Source: https://www.bannerhealth.com/healthcareblog/better-me/the-risk-of-utis-as-you-age

I'm my mothers caregiver and I've had a similar problem. My mother has the same problem with uti. I give her a bath DAILY and I go to the restroom with her when she goes to make sure she gets clean. I've not been able to have a doc put an open ended script for her as of today! I see the signs and behaviors she has demonstrated each and every time shes had one, with the aggression, and shaking ect. She is very aggressive to and towards me and has on several occasions hit, slapped, punched and even pushed me down the stairs. I've been at a loss because she only has demonstrated these behaviors when she has had a uti but the problem is that it won't show in the test until a week to 10 days later or even longer then that, and as soon as I give her the antibiotics within days she goes back to her baseline. I've started giving her somthing called uqora and d mannose. It's helped but I fear because it has that the next time she has one it won't show up as soon as before. I would definitely ask to speak to the person in charge and if they won't do anything like frequently checks of her undergarment, or add a few more baths, ya may want to move her to a different facility as it dosent seem as though there doing what's nessary. They may have to may parents I don't know, I just know how ive been taking care of my own mother and at times can get very trying. It's hard to handle and I'm sure after just taking care of one what it would be like with 5 or 10 but still, if they can't at the very least try to avoid her getting a uti, then I'd definitely look for somewhere else. You have to be her advocate as those with this condition can't speak up for themselves. Just some thoughts and options. Just know your not alone!!