My MIL was living in an AL and had symptoms of increase confusion, urinary frequency, poor appetite, dehydration and fever for more than a week before I visited and asked they get a stat order for a urine. Of course it was positive and she was given Cipro. for 5 days+ due to persistent symptoms. MIL started hallucinating and was taken to the hospital by ambulance for a 4 night stay with a subsequent transfer to a nursing home for physical and mental therapy. MIL's confusion has increased significantly and thinks my husband is my son and that her parents are alive. She doesn't know where she is and has huge memory loss sometimes minute to minute. I know a uti, hospitalization and NH stay can increase dementia/confusion, but I have never seen anything progress this rapidly.
Can any of you share your insight with me? I feel so bad and can't help but think the uti went undiscovered for longer than a week which has lead to the rapid decline in mentation. The hospital doctor indicated that Cipro can cause an increase in confusion. Have any of you had this experience with your elderly loved one? Any hope for improvement?
Make sure her urine is rechecked after the Cipro finishes. hopefully she will regain some of her lost ground but so many moves usually take thier toll along with any illness and hospitalization..