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They say it is a UTI and her vitals are good. She is weak from not eating and I can’t help her like I did they did prescribe an antibiotic which I have given her yet because this just happened. I am skeptical of a UTI because the the nurse didn’t do a test for it just by the smell of the urine and I have noticed it looking cloudy. But last night my mother had wild delirium all night. Really bad. Hospice nurse said to give her the lorazepam. I did but it didn’t work. Would a UTI cause this ? She reminds me of when my father had full fledged Alzheimer’s but my father would eat. My mother won’t right now. Don’t know if she will even take the antibiotics. Just so confused. Hospice doesn’t seem to helpful but she only has been in one day.

I’m surprised hospice prescribed antibiotics since it’s mostly for comfort care
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lealonnie1 Aug 1, 2026
Hospice prescribes antibiotics all the time for UTIs because they are so terribly uncomfortable.
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Sometimes a UTI causes the urine to smell SO BAD, there's no need for a test to make it official. UTIs notoriously cause delirium in elders along with sleeping and malaise.

When you first posted here, many of us suggested you take mom to the doctor. You didn't and hired hospice instead. Now you're not believing what they are telling you? What do you suggest is wrong with mom? In any event, she needs medical attention which she is now getting via hospice nurses. Give her the antibiotics please and she should start coming around in a few days.

If she gets better and hospice feels she has more than 6 months left to live, they will release her from hospice care and then you can take her to the doctor.
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Another vote saying to trust hospice.
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Trust hospice. They have training that you don't. You can call them any time for advice. In fact, call them right now about the lorazepam and tell them what you are telling us. Yes, a UTI causes delirium sometimes. There are meds that will help if the lorazepam doesn't. Ask hospice about mom's nutrition. Have they mentioned giving her Boost? Have they mentioned that she's dehydrated or becoming dehydrated? If not, ask.

Keep in mind that what applied to your father doesn't necessarily apply to your mother! Your past experience cannot inform this experience, so put dad's case out of your mind and keep in close contact with hospice for mom. I'm sorry you are going through this.
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The way you discribe her urine, its a UTI. The nurse has enough experience to be able to diagnois this. Hopefully you have given her the antibiotic by now. It will take 24 hrs to see a difference and each day she should get a little better. My husband just got over one, and he ran a high fever, had weakness and no appetite. If Mom has a fever, give her something.

Hospice is end of life care. Hospice is there to help you keep her comfortable. Giving her the antibiotics will help her be comfortable. You need to follow the Nurses intructions. There are no more doctor visits, no hospital visits. Just comfort care until Mom passes.
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Rosered6 Aug 1, 2026
Thank you.I didn't mean to cause confusion with my question about the primary care provider. I'm confused, however, because it seems that Jims64 was not getting any on-the-ground medical advice before the hospice care provider visited this week. I'm wondering whether his mom was under the care of a physician until hospice care was started.
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A UTI is both common and commonly causes huge confusion in the elderly. Try not to be alarmed by it, hard as that seems. Hospice is good at answering questions and can be called at any time, they will give answers on the phone. Don’t worry about the eating, it’s truly not important. Ask hospice for direction on ways to get the antibiotic in her. She may need it in a liquid form. My dad’s hospice nurse had me make ice chips from his favorite drink, he loved that and took it from a spoon. This can be a rough time, remember you need rest and breaks too. I wish you both peace
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I agree with the other comments.
Also, can you tell us more about your mom's health-care situation? Does she have a primary care provider? If yes, what does that person say about your mom's condition?
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JoAnn29 Aug 1, 2026
You do not use your provider when on hospice. They have a doctor affiliated with them.
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Yes what your mother is now experiencing are all symptoms of a UTI. So please start her on the antibiotics ASAP, so she can be more at peace and comfortable.
If you're not going to trust the hospice nurse and what they say why did you bring them on board?
All hospice agencies are available 24/7 so if you have any questions PLEASE call them now, so you have peace of mind.
And if the antibiotics are in pill form and mom can no longer swallow, please ask the hospice nurse to have it switched to liquid or patch form.
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Reply to funkygrandma59
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In my opinion, it very well could be a UTI. And maybe dehydration? (Elderly do not always hydrate adequately, especially if sleeping a lot, and it can really effect all you are discussing)Of course, could be any number of things but if it is a UTI antibiotics would help. I have seen hydration and antibiotics have a profound effect on my dad in just days.

My very elderly father does get cognitive issues from UTIs, and even delirium. It is possible. If hospice prescribed it why not give it a try, and also get her to hydrate adequately as well (unless she gets congestive heart failure, then be careful to not overdo…hospice can direct you)—could help….you want her to be as comfortable as possible!
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