My Mom is having recurrent UTIs. Nothing seems to help. Any advice?

Maybe get her a portable toilet to use downstairs might help get her out of the depends?

Has she been checked for kidney stones? UTI's were a regularly occuring problem for us. Even though "Mom" still refuses to drink enough water, loves sweets/simple carbs, and she's incontinent & bed/wheelchair bound, she's finally recovered after having an outpatient procedure to break up a kidney stone that was restricting urine flow. Frequent diaper changes (every 2 hrs.) & thorough washing/rinsing & drying perineal area, daily probiotics, and some diet modifications are helping to keep her UTI free. UTI's are debilitating for both the caregiver (me) as well as the patient. It took almost 8 mos. of recurring infections and various antibiotics (none worked) for the family to consider further diagnostics and schedule Mom's subsequent sound/laser procedures. Sometimes it takes more than 1 procedure for 1 kidney stone; she had a stone restricting flow in the ureter from left kidney. If your mom's had chronic issues w/UTI's, it's probably time to consider another approach. Best of luck to you. Regards, Linda

My mom has them a lot and the infectious disease dr put her on hiprex and it seems to help ...

We saw a urologist who recommended a specific brand of cranberry extract, Ellura capsules, 1 per day. They are expensive but they did the trick for my mom after many months of battling one UTI after another. Cranberry juice ise not as concentrated. Good luck!!

If only she has a relaxing sleep maybe she will not be confused

My father had uti's treated with antibiotics which returned continually 3-5 days after antibiotics were finished. He had these off and on for 10 months and spent the whole time in either the hospital or nursing home. Part way through he said his back started hurting. My mother told him not to tell anyone, that he was 80 years old of course something hurt and not to complain. So he didn't. Finally he was in so much pain I told the doctor and insisted they investigate. It turned out that the UTI had NEVER gone away but had developed into a large abscess (about the size of a loaf of bread) in his psoas muscle. Had they not started treating it when they did, he probably would have died within a week according to his doctor. It's possible the UTI is not going away when it keeps returning so quickly and frequently!

Your mom needs to be seen by an urologist because she might have to be put on a low dose of antibiotic permanently. Also, maybe your mom is holding in the urine and not urinating it out which could cause an infection. Taking naps in a laying position causes the bladder to relax therefore to release the urine. Changing diapers frequently helps . Cleaning mom correctly from front to back and using lots of  kleenex,wipes, and face towels. We also use wipes that don't
have any chemicals which you can purchase at Medline. They come dry but we dip them in water before we use them on mom.  Those have been a life saver and decreased UTIs on mom. Make sure she drinks enough water. Mom hasn't had a UTI over a year.

The wiping is important from from front to back. After urination or bowel movement, make sure to wash the area well and wipe with soft tissues. And prAy regularly .

Mom aged 83, had recurrent UTI's every month to every other month. Her doc suggested one scoop of Lauricidan wax pellets every am w breakfast and she hasn't had a UTI now in a long time! Wow

My understanding is cranberry juice should be researched based on any meds she is taking. Some meds clash and break down and this could be your culprit. You can get an over the bed table for in her room. At night I put an extra large Kotex in her depends to help with absorbancy. We set up my mother's hospital bed with over bed table and put the 55-inch tv in her room. It motivates her to want to be in bed and we gather more in her room. Music is great for dementia. Check out a Youtube documentary Alive Inside. It makes me cry but its quite informative. Good luck.

Would probiotics help my husband who is 80 and has dementia. He has had four UTIs in the last four months. If they would help where and what should I buy. Desperate for help please.

Jovial53 has your husband seen a urologist? I'm wondering if maybe he's not fully emptying his bladder because of an enlarged prostate? That urine sits in there and a UTI can develop. I'm certainly not a doctor...it's just a guess, but my dad had prostate issues (a lot of older men do). A urologist could make good suggestions about what might help your husband. Here's an article from this website about UTIs in the elderly: https://www.agingcare.com/articles/urinary-tract-infections-elderly-146026.htm

Why ever a diaper if there is sheet with adequate bed pad under? Especially for women.
My wife was prone to UTIs until we stopped using diapers. We use washable, cotton faced, bedpads under a sheet whether in bed or in a chair. Dignity is cover sheet in bed and long skirt or shirt while sitting.

Toilet on a 2 hour schedule. Others may not need the frequency.
We do it because she has little cognition, but is noticbly embarrassed by accidents in the pants. Toileting often requires 2 people, but so worth it.
Seldom an accident on the floor when she is wandering. When it happens, quick mop up, sanitize. No backup of bacteria into the girlie parts. Healthy girl. Happy girl.

Someone else came on here with a similar problem. She tried AZO over the counter from the drug store and that took care of it.

There are a lot of answers here, and I have not the time to go through so if this is redundant I apologize. When you mom toilets, do you go with her, or is she alone? One thing I discovered with my mom, was her incorrect "wiping" back to front. I try to catch her everytime. I also have larger throw away wipes, and I wash her front to back several times a day. She has not had an UTI since I started doing the wiping for her. Just a thought. Improper wiping, back to front can and WILL cause an UTI.

My mum had the same problems for years eventually she was referred to a urologist and he has put her on a tablet called Hiprex (Methenamine hippurate) 1g twice a day,this has stopped her urine infections.

Concentrated cranberry juice capsules can help support bladder function and ward off urinary Tract infections. Start with a mega dose of 5 three times per day for two to three days then then tapering down the dosage over the next several days and ending with to two or three each day as a maintenance dose. In order to be sure of the dosage, speak with your urologist or a holistic medicine professional before starting

Asked by sherry1anne ... 3 years ago...?
I do hope the Lady's UTI problem has been resolved 3 years back for the better and wish her well...
I'd like to tell my story - hoping that it may help some folks...as it seems that this is a very common problem...
I've been plagued with UTI's since I was young... now 82...
There are several things I have learned to decrease the frequency of attacks... and I have had a bladder irrigation, which did keep me UTI free for years in my late 40's ... Yet in the last 10 years UTIs became very frequent and I now follow this regimen since my bladder surgery last year.
1) Although it is hard on the tooth enamel... I still put a tablespoon of apple-cider vinegar into my 8 oz glass of water or weak apple juice which I drink just about daily.... By the time this liquid ends up in the bladder is has turned alkaline and is the very chemical + pH that the bacteria residing in the bladder wall are NOT fond of... It has helped delay the frequency and INTENSITY of my UTIs for years... A mild infection does not nearly cause the intense depressive side effects often described...
2) If I test positive for an infection... I DO NOT have the doc Rx a broadspectrum antibiotic while we wait for a urine culture with sensitivities to indicate which bacteria is causing it ...and then RX the specific Antibiotic needed.. If I have a burning sensation intense enough I simply take the Over the counter " PHENAZOPYRIDINE " that will kill the burning until the right antibiotic can be started...( IT WILL TURN Urine orange-color... and keeps me from taking too many antibiotics...some of which I have now become allergic to !!! During this 3 day wait I drink frequent Vinegar drinks, which helps decrease the bacteria !!
It is better to wait and get the specific antibiotic needed to kill the bacteria that is causing Havoc. And then make sure to take the FULL course for 10 days to 2 weeks... If you are taking Probiotics... you have to keep them 4 hours away from the antibiotics... ( Ask the Pharmacist about this - give him the name or show the container of your Probiotics when getting the antibiotics) ... he will know more than the Doc. about the individual medications interaction... OR: simply omit Probiotics for 10 days, but then do take them again to help restore good digestion...
3) I had to have 2 Bladder surgeries in 2017. My Pelvic Surgeon Rx'd CRANBERRY EXTRACT - which is much stronger
( not Cranberry juice ) - of which I take 450mg 10 times a week alternating = 3x/week 2 gel caps..+ 4x/week I take just one 450mg capsule) this amounts to about 600 mg per day...
4) Calcium polycarbophil 625 mg was also Rxed... I take 2
per day, (1 each/ meal ) ... which is a Bulk forming Laxative, which forms stool to be solid without small watery leakage, which causes bacterial skin contamination leading to bladder infections... as the bacteria from stool leakage love the moist, warm, dark environment contaminating + multiplying quickly into the urethra and bladder... leading to another infection.
5) I also have a $2.50 bottle of 91% Isopropyl Alcohol ready to use drops of it on a 3rd of a piece of folded papertowel to use as a FINAL wipe of the whole area after each voiding... it has to be 91% , not 50 or 75%...as it is the only one strong enough to kill bacteria on contact... At first there is some burning sensation using this alcohol pad, but that does decrease with frequent use !!
This regimen has kept me UTI free the last 5 months for the first time in years. Adding CRANBERRY EXTRACT and Calcium polycarbophil 625 mg to the vinegar intake which has kept my UTIs from becoming too serious -- has finally helped and made life easier...!!!

So I might suggest you ask your Urologist about the use of these 5 Items as each case is a little different...
1) A tablespoon of apple-cider vinegar into an 8 oz glass of water... During an infection I use as much as 30 cc Vinegar / 8oz liquid.
2) CRANBERRY EXTRACT - which is much stronger
3) " PHENAZOPYRIDINE " that will kill the burning
4) Calcium polycarbophil 625 mg
5) $2.50 bottle of 91% Isopropyl Alcohol (Walmart or other Pharmacy) which dries skin quickly and cuts way down on bacterial growth between voidings... I wish you well !!

Wife has FTD. Little cognition but is very active. Had continuous low grade UTI for many years, possibly from single kidney. Constant antibiotics did not cure. Became full blown UTI in 2011. She became a 5 year old. Did not recover. Another full UTI 2012. She became an autistic 2 year old. Has not recovered. Another UTI 2014, complicating the dementia. New Rx cleared the UTI in 1 dose. Last UTI, 2015, caused by ER catheter catch. Returned to ER next day for UTI. Told doc about Rx that worked. Administered in IV. Instant cure. Cypro reports are of bad effects with continuous use, but 1 dose cures overnight. IV is instant.
No more UTIs, because we stopped using briefs or any coverings. Total commando. Long skirts, long shirts at home. 100% COTTON! Washable pads with 100% cotton sheet over for sitting and sleeping. Frequent toileting, requires 2 persons, but worth the effort. Draw warm, sopping, washcloth from front to back center, then again for each groin. Hand sprayer if any question of lingering residue.
For those rare excursions into public, found disposable briefs that are not polyester.

Occasional accident when standing. Tile floor. Easy clean, a little work, but so worth happy, healthy, whoever she is.
Occasional accident in bed. Change the bedding, immediate lower area shower.

Occasional BM accident when sitting. Women are so designed that stuff oozes into delicate areas. Immediate response with shower.

Hydrating is a challenge as she is combative to objects approaching her face if it is not her idea. Fortunately she knows if hungry and will accept spoons of food. Oatmeal with 1-1/2 cups of water twice daily. Honey rather than sugar. Much water in all meals. Much soup with rice to absorb. Watermelon when in season and sweet.

Test urine with 11 function reagent strip regularly. Adjust diet and aggressive hydration if necessary. 1/8 tsp bicarb in oatmeal maintains ph balance.


2018 and never a UTI is worth the extra effort.

My 83 yr old MIL was having recurrent UTI's - one every month to 2 months. Finally her MD suggested that between antibiotics, she should be given daily probiotics and, more importantly, she should swallow 1 scoop of Lauricidan wax pellets every morning. That was a year ago February. She has now had only one UTI since then - when we ran out of the Lauricidan!!! Amazing. Give it a try - we now buy it ourselves on Amazon - after getting our first jar of it from her MD. 🙂

I do not know if this will help but my mom has had recurring utis for at least 4 years, but this last time she took keflex, followed by Cipro. We tested the last day and she was uti free. Since the last day of cipro, I have given her 2 tablets of Cranberry capsule with dmannose. She has also been making sure she wipes with flushable wipes every time she goes. So far we are at 3 weeks
without a uti. We test everyday.
I also had recurring utis for 2 years then started taking the cranberry/dmannose and haven't had one for over 2 years.
Hope this helps

my hubby (77) was having 3-4 a year and the Dr. recommended Cranberry Extract capsules.  Found them on Amazon, very affordable.  They did the trick.  eliminated the UTIs.  They are much more concentrated than just drinking juice.

My dad kept getting UTIs and even got a sepsis once which almost killed him. He is on two Bactrims a day now and has not had a major UTI in a year. The generic Bactrim is inexpensive which helps too! Try the prophylactic antibiotic through the doctor.

Cranberry capsules and drink no tap water only bottled or filtered. They say most tap water is safe but when you quit it and go back it tastes awful. At least that was our case. The cranberry capsules are about $6 for 120. This has worked wonders for several ladies that I know. Please keep us posted. (((Hugs)))

Spirit, bottled water has no regulations in place, a lot of it is bottled at the source, which means it could be my tap water instead of yours, I do agree that a good filter is a must. I also highly recommend that probiotics with a prebiotic is a daily must, antibiotics kill all of our bacteria, and the good bacteria must be replaced or it is a never-ending cycle. Our bodies can not replace the good bacteria as fast as infection can set in from unbalance of gut health. Go online and find a good one, they are huge money makers in stores, you can get great probiotics for less than 15.00 bimonthly  (60 days). Best of luck, UTIs are brutal in seniors.

Can anyone please recommend the best product to protect the underwear from urine so that the bacteria doesn't cause urinary tract infection? My mother has ended her second round of antibiotics for a urinary tract infection in 2 and 1/2 months just today. I feel they are partially caused and supported by a certain amount of chronic urine loss. We are seeing a urologist for her various urinary symptoms this month. Until then her primary care physician will not prescribe a preventive antibiotic for her. I have minimal luck in advising her about her different hygiene practices as well. At least I can try to do this much right now if anyone can Please help? Her UTI infections are a horrible emotional experience for her and for me. She already has post stroke dementia and these infections make them worse believe me.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP.

Thank you to all for so many suggestions/tips. I have read every page and found some very good information. My MIL is 75 and has had a recurring UTI since Dec 2017 that we know of, but she could have had it for who knows how long. Here is our situation. In September my MIL's newly PCP, took her off of a water pill she had taken for 20 yrs. He said it causes elderly people to become dehydrated even though she showed NO signs of dehydration and is a BIG water drinker. From there, she started having balance issues and had fallen 5 times in 2mths, could barely walk and started taking tiny baby steps/shuffling of her feet. She started having a few brain farts, forgetting which button on remote controlled volume, etc., but nothing major. Seen neurologist and she thought early signs of dementia. Around Dec 1 when doing preliminary testing before an upcoming surgery and a concern of strong odor in urine, it was determined she had a UTI. Antibiotics were given, but no follow up to see if it had cleared. Dec. 21, she went in for neck surgery and has declined significantly since. The neck surgery was a huge success, but she has had 6 UTI's since Dec. 1. She has MAJOR confusion/memory issues and is NOT the same person she was since before her surgery. She was being given a lot of pain meds and muscle relaxers while in hospital/ rehab even though she did not complain of any pain. We finally got her off all those pills. I really believe removing her from the water pill started her problems. She started with unsteadiness, falling, then UTI's. They have mentioned early Parkinson , as well because of her shuffling her feet. Couldn't ones fear of falling cause you to shuffle your feet? She spent 25 days in hospital rehab, then 2 months in nursing home rehab. She is now home doing rehab in her home. She is very willing and cooperative. They say her legs are very strong, but she cant seem to walk on her own as she is unsteady/balance. If not doing therapy, she watches HGTV all day/naps. She barely talks unless you ask her a question or initiate conversation. She just stares at the tv. Her PCP FINALLY has given a referral to a urologist after her 6th UTI confirmation yesterday. He put her on Namenda for dementia and I don't believe she even has dementia. If she does, it's VERY EARLY signs. I think all of her confusion/memory problems are from the recurrent UTI's. (6 in 4mths) I am going now to the health foods store to try and find D-mannose and cranberry pills as you all have mentioned. Does anyone think removing the water pill after 20 years could have contributed to any of this? We think she needs to start back on it and when and if she has a hydration problem, deal with it then. Also, confusion/memory is probably related to UTI's, not dementia. Wouldn't it have been smarter to clear her of the UTI and see if her memory/confusion cleared before cramming another med on her.?? Thank you in advance for any help/suggestions.

Jet one thing to consider and this is a very long shot that may be coupled with the water pill is something called normal pressure hydrocephalus or NPH. It's when your body can't drain enough of the fluid around your brain and that extra pressure presses on your brain, causing dementia-type symptoms. I saw a segment on 60 Minutes about it and then saw my neighbor shuffling along a year or so later. He had it. He had surgery (they insert a shunt) and corrected it. I'm wondering if the diuretic kept the pressure down and taking that away increased the pressure in her brain. You can google NPH + 60 Minutes to watch the segment. Again, it's a long shot, but worth knowing about since it does happen to the elderly.

And I would advocate for your mom that they culture the UTI and make sure they're giving her the best antibiotic for what she has. Then check to make sure it's cleared by taking another urine specimen. Good luck, it sounds like you're trying your best to keep your mom healthy.

Thank you this is very helpful for me I never realized how a uti and the antibiotics can cause such confusion I had no idea what was going on with my mom after having her big toe amputated and part of her foot amputated she was so out of it I blamed the pain medication and then gabepentin they were giving her three times a day versus once her friend kept saying it’s a uti i kept asking the rehabilitation center to test her finally after 5 days they did and started her on cipro but she got worse my cousin is a nurse and she said cipro can cause it too she ended up being taken to the hospital she was also dehydrated because she was out of it and didn’t drink I am learning so much she is back to being my mom

Thank you Blannie for your response. I failed to mention that she indeed was tested for NPH by a neurologist. The results came back with NO water on the brain. However, I'm now trying to find out if they did a urine specimen to check for a UTI before they went to the extremes of the MRI/CT scan checking for NPH. She could have had a UTI then, that was causing her confusion, memory issues, imbalance=sudden falling. I know they are missing something. Dementia does NOT progress overnight. It's a process. I am still dumbfounded that her PCP would start her on yet another medication for dementia while her UTI problem has not been resolved. Everyone knows that a UTI can cause MASS confusion/memory, stroke like symptoms. The older you are the worse it can be. Thank you so much for your help.