Signs & Symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection in an Alzheimer's Patient

Persons with Alzheimer's disease have difficulty communicating problems with their caregivers because of the progressive loss of their mental functioning. Urinary tract infections are common in people with Alzheimer's disease because many do not have good control of their bladders, wear incontinent products or do not practice good hygiene after going to the bathroom. It is important that caregivers recognize signs and symptoms of a urinary tract infection because often the person with Alzheimer's disease cannot tell you she has a problem. These infections can severely affect the health of the person with Alzheimer's disease.

Confusion or Aggression

• One of the first indicators that a urinary tract infection is developing in a person with Alzheimer’s disease is increased confusion or aggression. The person may display an increase in screaming or shouting for no apparent reason. He may become violent or keep asking the same questions over and over again. He may cry for no reason or not be able to sleep.

Urine Changes

• If a person has a urinary tract infection, her urine may look milky or cloudy. There may be blood in the urine so it may have a reddish tint. The urine will often smell bad. It may smell like feces.

Physical Symptoms

• The person with a urinary tract infection most often has the sensation of having to urinate frequently, but when he does, very little urine is voided. He may have pain or burning upon urinating, but he may not be able to tell you this. You may have to rely on the appearance of facial grimacing when he tries to urinate. He may hold his back as if it is in pain. The person with Alzheimer’s disease may run a fever, be overly tired, or he may experience nausea or vomiting.