How To Spot Health Problems In Seniors With Dementia?

It becomes difficult to assess common illnesses or health problems in seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s. These illnesses also tend to affect seniors with dementia adversely. Depending on the degree of dementia, the senior might not be able to tell you how they are feeling.

Consequently, the family members and caregivers need to take the role of private investigators and at-home clinicians for seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Health Issues In Seniors With Dementia

Seniors with dementia can also develop plenty of other health issues over time. Here are the potential health issues seniors with dementia can suffer from.

Common cold

If the seniors or your aging parents display symptoms like a runny nose, coughing, or sneezing without other complaints, it might be allergies. However, other signs like skin color changes, fatigue, and a mild fever can provide more insights.

Typically, a common cold lasts 7-10 days, and staying hydrated aids recovery. If symptoms linger beyond a week or a fever remains for over five days, consult a physician.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Another common health issue in seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s is Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). The reason behind this infection among seniors is that they struggle to keep their genital area clean after a shower or toilet. The seniors always have a fear of modesty when seeking help with these tasks.

Sometimes, the seniors become so combative or non-compliant that it becomes difficult for caregivers to help seniors with these tasks. Due to dementia, seniors can also sometimes forget to drink or eat.

Some common symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection among seniors are the smell and appearance of their urine. The urine is darker in color and the odor is overwhelming if the senior is suffering from this infection.

If the seniors are going for urine more often than before, it is also another sign of UTI and the need to treat it urgently.

In seniors, urinary tract infections (UTIs) might not show typical physical symptoms but exhibit behavioral changes such as sudden cognitive shifts or increased dementia-like behaviors like paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions. These aren’t necessarily signs of advancing dementia but could indicate a UTI. If an elder’s behavior seems unusual, look for UTI symptoms and seek medical care. If left untreated, UTI can escalate to a medical emergency requiring hospitalization.

The family members and caregivers need to observe unusual behaviors or speaking patterns to figure out the health issues in seniors with dementia. A drastic change in a senior’s temperament can point toward something physically wrong. Make sure you have a thorough knowledge of the senior’s medical history and be in touch with their physician to be on the right track and identify the health issues early.