What else can I do to manage and help prevent UTI's?

KayKay, I was just glancing back over some of your posts about your grandma. Is there any way you could get your grandma to another doctor? Is your grandma doing any better than she was a few days ago? Are you guys in an area with limited options, or could you take your grandma to a different hospital system? A 91 year old woman should not be allowed to be in that much pain. Her doctor sounds really out of touch. If they see she is this sick and do not have a medical treatment/solution available, then they should at least be willing to discuss a hospice evaluation or palliative care.

From experience, we could tell when my grandpa was getting a UTI and we could usually tell when something was more "off" than usual, even when it would take the doctors a while to listen to us. If you are feeling like there is something else going on with your grandma, listen to your instincts. It is not good to have the situation get worse and to see someone in a lot of pain.

I hope you find someone who will help you through this. It is so hard. I hope your grandma is feeling better soon.

KayKay, the doctor should get try to get a clean catch and then culture the sample. Sometimes they are prescribing the wrong antibiotic or too low/short of a dose so that the infection never gets properly treated, it just gets suppressed then comes back.

Also taking probiotics and eating yogurt helped prevent diarrhea for my grandpa when he was on antibiotics for UTI.

My mother had recurring bladder infections. What her doctor did is put her on a prophylactic course of Bactrim taken three times a week (MWF). She also takes a high-dose cranberry supplement every day. She is diabetic, so doesn't want the sugar that is in the juice. The Bactrim has really helped her. She hasn't had another UTI since she started taking it. I hope it continues to work.

Unfortunately, KayKay13, UTIs are very common in elders. Some possible causes are: Their immune systems can be weakened and unable to fight off infection as it once did; lack of estrogen can allow more bacteria to grow; more frequent incontinence and poorer hygiene can also contribute. So, to answer your question, it is very difficult to prevent UTIs in elders. Keep doing what you are doing and ask her doctor if there are any suggestions they may have. You are your Grandma are not alone.

Wouldn't we all like to know. Mom has been battling either a resistant UTO+I or reoccurring UTIs since December. Culture results yesterday confirm that it is back.

I can tell you what the research says but I am not having any luck.

Avoid dehydration - increase fluid intake

Encourage frequent urination

add cranberry juice or pills - not cranberry flavored cocktails but real 100% juice

If diabetic, control sugar - high sugar increases risk of UTI

If wearing adult diapers, change them every 2 hours even if they do not appear wet.

Use a bidet or perinatal spray to ensure proper cleansing and pat dry

Of course, wipe front to back

Don't feel bad if you still can't cure her UTIs. I do all of the above for Mom and I still can't win.