Took Grandma to the doctor and was asked to collect a urine sample. There were two of us helping her. One was helping to balance her and the other was supposed to clean her with those little wet wipes. Didn't work, couldn't do it. She was in there fussing and carrying on. She said she couldn't stand and had to pee. Also, everything's so saggy we can't tell what we're wiping anyway.
The urinalysis showed signs of a UTI, we're just not sure if it's accurate. Her behavior has been "off" and her diapers have been extra bad kind of smelly, so we think she probably does have a UTI. It would just be nice to know for sure if the sample was contaminated.
How do you all handle collecting a urine sample from an elderly female with dementia and mobility issues?
We have collected samples immediately after a bath, but there are issues with that too, but at least it's a clean sample. It's just that everything else involved is a huge pain.
Ask for these items the next time you visit a provider.
Lahey Clinic no longer does the cath method. I forget what Problems they said it caused.
remember sample needs to be refrigerated & freezer grade ziplock it.
If this might be a reoccurring issue, get her doctors staff to give you a few sample jars.