Posted on December 5, 2011 - by Nurse Virginia

URINARY INFECTION MAY LEAD TO INCREASED CONFUSION IN THE ELDERLY

(PART I)

Marty was holding on to the handle of the car door threatening to “jump.” No matter what his wife Betty said, nothing seemed to be able to quiet Marty down. He had been pacing the small home they had lived in for the past 40 years, till Betty said, “Let’s go for a drive.” Thinking the car ride would be soothing for whatever was bothering Marty these last few days. He seemed to have a problem that he didn’t seem to be able to put into words. And now here he was threatening to jump from the car.

Marty had always been a very calm, dependable sort of man. Even when he started getting confused, he laughed it off never showing frustration or anger. This kind of outrageous behavior was so unlike the normal manner of this 78year old man. Not knowing what to do, Betty drove directly to their doctor’s office and luckily they took Marty right into an examination room.  Marty would not have been good at waiting, not today.

Marty was well known to the doctor and his staff and after what seemed only a short time to Betty the doctor started writing notes. Betty could just make out the doctor’s note reading it upside down. It read, Altered Mental Status, increased confusion probable cause urinary tract infection.

Urinary tract infections are the most common infections in the elderly and the most likely to lead to increased confusion. The second most likely infection to result in increased confusion is an upper respiratory infection or pneumonia. However just about any infection in an elderly individual may result in increased confusion. Many times the increase in confusion is the symptom that leads the caregiver or physician to the cause which may be infection.

Virginia Garberding R.N.

Director of Education, The Wealshire, Lincolnshire, Illinois

Author: Please Get To Know Me – Aging with Dignity and Relevance

www.pleasegettoknowme.com