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Hi, so I was just checking in on my 82 year old mom on the phone and she has just gotten out of the hospital for UTI and pneumonia. A stubborn, non compliant patient— you know all of the things.
So I suspect her UTI is back because she seems confused, agitated, and at one point was mocking me in a sarcastic tone because I told her I’d like her to get home health to do a dip stick on her tomorrow.
She claims she knows for a fact that she doesn’t have a UTI because she just knows because she has no symptoms (you know, aside from her combativeness and hostility and inability to have a normal conversation about it on the phone).
Seniors can have UTIs and not know it, correct? Thanks.

Two things that can tip you off are cloudy urine and an odor. But it's true, Seniors especially with dementia won't always recognize the symptoms.
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Reply to Hrmgrandcna
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My 94 year old father has very frequent UTIs without the usual symptoms. We have to test monthly. If he has symptoms it is strong smelling cloudy urine, and/or cognitive impairment.
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Reply to Hope21
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If M had a UTI when she was younger, she probably also had a lot of pain (I thought I was going to die with one when I was in my twenties). Now she doesn’t have pain, so she thinks she doesn’t have one. Tell her that pain is often absent with UTIs after menopause, and then you can’t pick it like when you are younger.
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Reply to MargaretMcKen
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Yes, that's possible. I went to Urgent Care for HBP last week and they did lab work including a UA. Surprise! I had a UTI that had caused absolutely no symptoms. I was put on Ceftin (antibiotic) for 5 days and hope it's gone. (I'm 89.)
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Reply to ElizabethAR37
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southernwave Jan 29, 2026
Thank you. I also hope it’s gone!
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What you need to fo is get her back to the hospital and gave them do a culture. My daughter, nurse, says they use a broad spectrum antibiotic. Does not always clear up the UTI. Doing a culture will tell them what kind of bacteria is causing the problem. Then the proper antibiotic can be given buy IV. Then its trying to keep it from coming back. Mom should be drinking lots of water. D-Mannose has been suggested on this forum. My Mom took cranberry tablets and a probiotic.
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southernwave Jan 29, 2026
Thank you. I am hoping a dip stick will lead to needing a culture because my mom has zero intention of going to the doctor or back to the hospital right now.

Though I also know a dip stick can be false negative in elders.

I live hours away so it’s up to my local sister (who abandoned me once mom was admitted so it’s not like I’m leaving it up to her. It was all on me the week she was in the hospital) to keep an eye on her. I suspect we will have to wait it out until she gets sick enough to care.

I also know this could be the beginning of the end. I wanted her to go to LTAC or skilled nursing to fully recover but she would not allow that thought process.

I appreciate you chiming in.
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I’ve personally had two UTI’s minus symptoms, only found out when something else happened
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southernwave Jan 29, 2026
Thank you.
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I got in touch with my friend who is a hospice and palliative care doctor and this is what she said (in regard to can she have a UTI with all of these antibiotics):

”A UTI can always be in play. Especially if she had a catheter at the hospital. Also, some antibiotics cause delirium as well.”
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Yes , she may have a UTI and not know it . She may have even picked up MRSA or VRE or some other antibiotic resistant hospital acquired infection .
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waytomisery Jan 29, 2026
Sorry redundant , it didn’t post at first .
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100% yes they can. I'm being treated for one now. No burning, no pain, fever, nothing....I just started growling and snapping like a tiger.

You don't get rid of UTIs so quick without correct testing and medications. Call her Homehealth RN, or send a text. Trust me, they will handle your stubborn Mom.
Ask Mom where her medical degree is from. Geeze!
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southernwave Jan 29, 2026
I really thought she was going to repeat my sentence in a “I know you are but what am I” type of mocking tone.

Toxic. At the mere mention of getting home health to check her urine.

Thank you for sharing your experience— it helps. Did you know you were prickly?
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Yes , she could have a UTI . She could have picked up MRSA , VRE , Pseudomonas A , or some other lovely hospital acquired infection .
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Reply to waytomisery
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Correct. But maybe it's the pneumonia infection that may be causing the symptoms? It can also cause sepsis.
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southernwave Jan 29, 2026
Yes, they did the sepsis protocol on her and she was admitted to ICU for a few days (I’m so exhausted I can’t remember if it as 2 or 3 days) after getting stuck in the ER for 36 hours because the hospital was full with flu patients.

She was on IV Vanc and then Zozyn (7 days) and is now on a z pack so I’m just trying figure out what’s going on— uti, relapse, exhaustion and then if it’s all of the above or none of the above.

Yall know how this is. Just trying to work my way through trying to figure out what to do. At least home health is going there tomorrow morning.

It might not be a UTI with all of the antibiotics but then again, so many things are antibiotic resistant now…..

Thanks
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