Skip to main content
For education only. For urgent symptoms, call 911.
MedWise SeniorsA program of MedFidae - Seniors
Text size
Printable Forms

Patient education · bladder and kidney health

Urinary Tract Infections in Older Adults

A urinary tract infection can affect the bladder or kidneys and may become serious. Know the usual urinary symptoms, pay attention to sudden changes from the person's normal behavior, and remember: confusion by itself does not prove that a UTI is the cause.

Written and reviewed by Nick Anderson, PharmD · Reviewed September 24, 2026

Optional: help measure this free education pilot

This anonymous one-minute check helps MedWise Seniors distinguish education reach from ordinary website traffic. Skip any question you do not want to answer.

About your visit
Three quick medication-safety questions

1. A complete medicine list should include nonprescription products, vitamins, and supplements.

2. It is safe to suddenly stop any medicine that might cause dizziness.

3. A pharmacist can help check for duplicate medicines and interactions.

How confident are you about using a medicine list and asking medication-safety questions?

Privacy: no name, email address, birth date, diagnosis, medicine, provider, or caregiver-record entry is collected. An anonymous code on this device connects the starting and follow-up checks.

Common signs and symptoms

Possible bladder infection

  • Pain or burning when urinating
  • Needing to urinate more often than usual
  • A strong urge to urinate even when the bladder feels empty
  • Blood in the urine
  • Pressure or cramping in the lower abdomen or groin
  • New or suddenly worse loss of bladder control may occur, but it can have many causes

Possible kidney infection

  • Fever or chills
  • Pain in the back or side, below the ribs
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Feeling very weak or seriously unwell

A kidney infection needs prompt medical attention because it can lead to a serious bloodstream infection.

Mood, thinking, and behavior changes

Watch for a sudden change

Some older adults—especially people who are frail or living with dementia—may become suddenly more confused or show a major change from their usual behavior during an illness. Changes can include:

  • New confusion or trouble paying attention
  • Unusual sleepiness, withdrawal, or reduced activity
  • Agitation, restlessness, irritability, or new hallucinations
  • Eating or drinking much less than usual

Confusion alone does not diagnose a UTI

Sudden confusion is called delirium. A UTI is only one possible cause. Dehydration, constipation, pain, medication effects, low blood sugar, stroke, and other infections can cause similar changes.

Do not assume that a positive urine test explains every behavior change. When there are no urinary symptoms, fever, or other signs of serious infection, the healthcare team should look for other causes rather than automatically prescribing an antibiotic.

What to do

Contact a healthcare professional

  • Call promptly for new urinary symptoms, especially with fever, back or side pain, vomiting, sudden confusion, or marked weakness.
  • Describe what changed, when it began, temperature readings, fluid intake, urination, pain, and recent medicine changes.
  • A clinician may use the symptom history, an examination, and urine testing to decide whether an infection is likely.
  • Bacteria can be present in an older adult's urine without causing illness. This usually does not require antibiotics unless a clinician identifies a specific reason.

If an antibiotic is prescribed

  • Take it exactly as directed and complete the plan unless the prescriber changes it.
  • Do not use leftover antibiotics or someone else's medicine.
  • Call about a rash, severe diarrhea, vomiting, or another concerning side effect.
  • Contact the healthcare team if symptoms worsen or do not begin improving as expected.

Lower the risk

  • Drink fluids regularly unless the healthcare team has prescribed a fluid limit for heart, kidney, or another condition.
  • Do not routinely delay urination for long periods.
  • Follow the care team's hygiene, incontinence, and urinary-catheter instructions.
  • Keep diabetes and constipation care plans on track.
  • Do not rely on cranberry products or supplements as a substitute for evaluation when symptoms are present; ask a clinician or pharmacist before using them.

Get urgent help for severe symptoms

Call 911 in the United States for trouble breathing, inability to wake the person, fainting, stroke signs, severe weakness, or signs of shock. Seek urgent medical care for high fever, shaking chills, repeated vomiting, severe back or side pain, rapidly worsening confusion, or a major decline from the person's usual condition.

Trusted resources

General education only. This page does not replace individualized advice. Never start, stop, or change a medicine without guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Finished this guide? Record what you learned

Your anonymous answers help evaluate medication-safety knowledge, confidence, and intended next steps.

Three quick medication-safety questions

1. A complete medicine list should include nonprescription products, vitamins, and supplements.

2. It is safe to suddenly stop any medicine that might cause dizziness.

3. A pharmacist can help check for duplicate medicines and interactions.

How confident are you about using a medicine list and asking medication-safety questions?
What do you plan to do?

After submitting, you can use the same anonymous code for the optional 30-day action check.

Nick Anderson, PharmDClinical referenceNick Anderson, PharmDBCGP certification lapsed · View professional profile

Elder Care Education

Keep learning

Choose another practical guide for older adults and caregivers.

HomeMedication-related falls and elder-care education.All TopicsSearch the complete MedWise Seniors education library.Medication SafetyEveryday habits that help prevent medication problems.Bone HealthOsteopenia, osteoporosis, fracture risk, and dental safety.Benadryl & Fall RiskLearn where diphenhydramine may be hiding.Hospital ReviewReconcile medicines safely after a hospital stay.
View all education topics
Safe DisposalTake-back, trash, flush-list, and fentanyl-patch guidance.Falls & MedicinesRecognize medication-related fall risks and build a prevention plan.Memory & DementiaCreate a safer medicine system for memory changes and caregiving.Dementia Caregiver GuidePractical daily care, communication, home safety, and caregiver support.Caring for an Older AdultEveryday guidance for respectful communication, meals, safety, medicines, and caregiver wellbeing.Emergency Care PlanFill in essential contacts, health information, daily needs, and backup-care details.Doctor-Visit OrganizerPrepare symptoms and questions, then record the treatment and follow-up plan.Daily Change TrackerA simple one-minute caregiver check-in for changes in health or routine.VaccinesReview the vaccines commonly recommended for older adults.Prevent ErrorsUse a consistent home routine to prevent medication mistakes.Caregiver ToolPrint a medication list and seven-day dosing record.QR Code PrintPrint a full-page black-and-white QR code for the MedWise Seniors main page.Share FeedbackTell us what is clear, useful, or could be easier to use.