She has been on antibiotics many times, but the infection always comes back, and as I read on your site, the odor is the giveaway. Her physicatrist told me it could be sepsis, but that was a year ago, and she is still here. Can it be sepsis that does not lead to a systemic infection? Ten years ago I had here treated for a UTI, and it is endless trying to continue to treat this.
Sorry you are stuck with the resistant bugs - probably worth trying more fluids (unintuitive, since she is probably wishing she did not have to pee at all, let alone pee more!) and cranberry (mannose) supplements too.
http://www.nextavenue.org/blog/are-your-loved-one%E2%80%99s-dementia-symptoms-reversible
http://www.news-medical.net/health/Delirium-Causes.aspx
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/urinary-tract-infections-elderly-146026.htm
https://www.agingcare.com/discussions/elder-mother-walked-around-with-UTI-doctor-never-tested-her-136303.htm
http://www.parentgiving.com/elder-care/understanding-urinary-tract-infections-elderly/
http://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/unlikely-connection-between-utis-and-dementia/
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/urinary-tract-infection-dementia-155344.htm
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20716391
https://www.agingcare.com/questions/urinary-tract-infection-become-untreatable-152041.htm
Cranberry Juice more effective than plain water all the time, but for sure fluid intake, including water is important. Of-course, for those with Kidney, Lung or Heart issues, it is important not to take too much fluids.
Very, very Important to keep an eye on swelling of fingers, elbows and ankles for indication of oedema, as with everything else - moderation is the key in food or fluids intake.
It's not easy sometimes, but Bravo to all of us! 'Hope someone will be there for us when we need them for all these care issues too someday, LOL!!
I keep telling my siblings we have to teach the next generation about hands-on Elder care to prep them...LOL!!!
Best thing to do is get a Urologist to check out particular situation, as everyones body acts and reacts differently.
If she is not mobile and not possible to take her out to Doctor appointments any more, you can check with Urologist on having Visiting Nurse Service come to take and deliver Urine sample for testing to them/their diagnostics company so Dr try to help - or find out if you have visiting Doctor services available to her, as they will come to the house and forward to Urologist.
She may need to be on a daily pill for her quality-of-life/keeping UTI at bay as will recurr when dealing with full incontinence as they may pass gas sometimes and still wet or soil themselves in micro amounts that may be just after potty/changing breaks and be missed till next obvious need for change, but these still add up even if one tries to keep on top of and may sometimes add to cause issues.
So, she may also need to have more diaper changes scheduled both during the day and night, with particular attention to cleansing being thorough.
Do you have caregivers to help with care that can handle this? You may need a live-in caregiver that can keep on top of this, both day and overnight.
Let us know how this go. All the best!
I am sorry to hear about your problems caring for someone with a UTI. Urinary Tract Infections are common health problems among the elderly and can be different than UTI's in the younger populations.
Here are two articles on elderly UTI's that our editors wrote that will help you when caring for your elderly loved one.
UTIs Cause Behavioral, Not Physical Symptoms in Elders
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/urinary-tract-infection-symptoms-151547.htm
Urinary Tract Infections in the Elderly
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/Elderly-urinary-tract-infections-146026.htm
Best of Luck,
Karie H.
AgingCare.com Team