Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) Threat to Aging in Place

Prevention is the secret to longevity.

– Mencius

Aging in Place

Yesterday I was taking care of urology patients. Let me translate that, people who had bladder cancer and were being treated with chemotherapy drugs instilled in their bladders. I’m going to give you a terrible analogy, but one that will stick with you for the purposes of making my larger point. Think of a rotisserie chicken turning on a skewer; slowly turning. That is analogous (minus the BBQ sauce) to how they receive the chemo drugs. The chemo drug is introduced via a foley catheter (tube that goes up into the bladder), clamped, then the patient is turned every 15 minutes to “coat the inside of the bladder” with the chemo agents.

Ok, this is probably TMI, but my larger point is UTIs. One patient described going home with a foley catheter and days later getting a UTI infection and “I almost died,” he told me. His wife reported not knowing what was going on, “he went crazy, and then just got weaker and weaker.” Her description is classic Uro-sepsis (a system wide infection from bacteria that enters the through the catheter), which is all too common (see stats below). This often happens, bacteria cause the smooth muscle around the body’s vessels to dilate, leading to multi-organ-system failure. And it can happen very fast with older folks with comorbidities.

The key to life saving intervention is EARLY RECOGNITION and EARLY TREATMENT…Read that again. This is where I see aging-in-place technologies that facilitate visual accounting of older family members as essential. If you can see and communicate with them from a distance, you can potentially prevent a life-threatening event.

I can’t tell you how many times I got emergency calls from my elders in crisis that ended up in the emergency room and pulling them from the fire. I didn’t have the visual aging-in-place technology that could have saved the day. My message to families is this: Know what a UTI is, understand the symptoms, prevention, and treatment, then invest in aging-in-place technology that will allow you to see and interact with loved ones from a distance.

Their life depends on it. Period.

Understanding Urinary Tract Infections: What You Need to Know

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common condition that occurs when bacteria—usually E. coli—enter the urinary system, infecting the bladder, urethra, or kidneys. While UTIs can affect anyone, they are especially prevalent among women and older adults. Symptoms include a persistent urge to urinate, burning sensation during urination, cloudy or strong-smelling urine, pelvic pain (in women), and, in more severe cases, fever and back pain if the infection reaches the kidneys. UTIs are typically caused by poor hygiene, dehydration, certain medications, catheter use, or health conditions that affect urine flow. Most infections are treatable with a short course of antibiotics and by increasing fluid intake.

Though they might seem minor, UTIs are one of the most expensive and disruptive common infections in healthcare. Sources from 2024 show a drastic increase report in higher costs: The annual cost of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in the United States (2024) is estimated to be around $6 billion. This includes costs associated with diagnosis, treatment, and lost workdays. Hospitalizations for UTIs, particularly those involving drug-resistant bacteria, can be quite expensive, with mean costs ranging from $7,766 to $9,902, according to the American Urological Association Journals. For example, one study found that the average cost of UTI-related hospitalizations increased by 10.2% between 2012 and 2019. Older adults—especially those in long-term care—are at higher risk due to catheter use, comorbidities, and less obvious symptoms like confusion or lethargy. If left untreated or mismanaged, a simple UTI can escalate into a dangerous condition known as urosepsis.

Urosepsis is a severe, potentially life-threatening response to a UTI that spreads into the bloodstream. It can cause systemic inflammation, organ failure, and even death if not treated promptly with intravenous antibiotics and hospitalization. For this reason, it’s essential to take UTI symptoms seriously—especially in the elderly. Preventive measures like staying hydrated, maintaining good personal hygiene, and routine screening for high-risk individuals can help avoid serious complications and reduce the staggering costs associated with untreated infections.

 Symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

• Burning sensation during urination
• Frequent urge to urinate, often with little output
• Cloudy, dark, or strong-smelling urine
• Pelvic pain or pressure (especially in women)
• Lower back or side pain (possible kidney involvement)
• Fever or chills (in more serious cases)
• Confusion or fatigue (especially in older adults)

Prevention Tips

• Drink plenty of water to flush out bacteria
• Wipe front to back after using the toilet
• Urinate after sexual activity
• Avoid douching or using irritating feminine hygiene products
• Wear breathable cotton underwear
• Avoid prolonged use of catheters if possible
• Maintain good personal hygiene
• *A UTI test strip detects signs of a urinary tract infection by identifying white blood cells (leukocytes) and nitrites in the urine. When these substances are present, the test pads on the strip change color—typically shifting from white to pink for leukocytes or to purple for nitrites—indicating a possible infection.

Treatment Options

• Oral antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare provider
• Increased fluid intake to help clear the infection
• Over-the-counter pain relief (e.g., acetaminophen or ibuprofen)
• Cranberry supplements or D-mannose (may help prevent recurrence for some people)
• Hospitalization and IV antibiotics for severe infections or urosepsis

See

A Foley catheter is a flexible, sterile tube inserted into the bladder to drain urine, commonly used when a person is unable to urinate naturally. It’s also known as an indwelling urinary catheter because it remains in place for a period of time, held in the bladder by a small balloon filled with sterile water.

Foley catheters are typically used:

• After surgery
• For people with urinary retention or obstruction
• In patients with mobility issues or severe illness
• In some cases, during end-of-life care

While they are helpful for managing bladder function, Foley catheters increase the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), especially with long-term use. This is why they are monitored carefully and should be removed as soon as they are no longer medically necessary.

*Not intended as medical advice use at your own discretion.