Jill visited her elderly mother in a local Illinois nursing home at least every other day. Her mother appeared to be adjusting to the facility and was generally in good spirits. One day, Jill went in to see her mother and was stunned to find her extremely agitated, confused, and combative – to the point that the staff had restrained her in her bed. Nothing Jill said calmed her mother down. It was almost like her mother had advanced dementia or Alzheimer’s, but whatever was wrong with her had occurred virtually overnight.
Jill had no idea what was wrong with her mother and was unaware that sudden confusion (known as delirium) is common among elderly people who have an untreated urinary tract infection (UTI). Delirium from a UTI can develop quickly, usually resulting in agitation, restlessness, and delusions. The symptoms can vary in intensity throughout the day and may look different from one person to the next.
While agitation is the most common manifestation of UTI delirium, some patients may seem unusually withdrawn and drowsy. Either way, a patient with UTI delirium is less responsive and alert to what is happening around them. Since UTI delirium is the result of an untreated infection, it could be that the nursing home staff is guilty of abuse or neglect. If you suspect your loved one is suffering from UTI delirium, reach out to an experienced Peoria, IL nursing home abuse and neglect attorney at Nursing Home Injury Center.
How Often Do UTIs Occur in Nursing Home Patients?
While the amount varies, the number of UTIs in older adults increases significantly compared to middle-aged persons. More than 10 percent of women over the age of 65 reported having a UTI within the past 12 months, and that number jumps to 30 percent in women over the age of 85.
Although women are much more likely than men to have UTIs, elderly men, in particular, are more susceptible to this type of infection, especially those with a catheter. Elderly patients in nursing homes who are bedridden or spend much of their day in a wheelchair may be more susceptible to UTIs. Even more important, nursing homes that fail to practice good hygiene and infection control will have more patients with UTIs.
Which Nursing Home Patients Have the Highest Risk for UTIs and UTI Delirium?
Overall, UTIs are one of the most commonly diagnosed infections among long-term care residents, comprising more than a third of all nursing home-associated infections. Some patients will have a higher risk of developing a urinary tract infection and UTI delirium. The factors that increase risk include:
- Changes related to aging, including a weakened bladder function, can cause urinary retention, which in turn increases the likelihood of bacterial growth and the development of a UTI.
- A natural decline in immune function that accompanies aging makes elderly patients more likely to have a UTI.
- Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are more common among the elderly, making it more difficult for them to communicate symptoms of UTIs. Left undiagnosed and untreated, complications can arise, including delirium.
- Those with limited mobility have an increased risk of UTIs.
- Patients with an indwelling catheter have an increased risk of UTIs, especially when caregivers fail to follow approved protocols for handling catheters.
- UTIs among the elderly may present in an atypical fashion, making it more difficult for caregivers to diagnose and treat the infection promptly. Staff members who are unaware of UTI delirium may believe the patient is showing cognitive decline, so they may not suspect a UTI.
- Many UTIs are the direct result of neglect in the form of unsanitary conditions, chronic dehydration, inadequate assistance when going to the bathroom, poor hygiene, and improper catheter care.
An experienced attorney can help you determine whether your loved one’s condition is directly related to nursing home neglect.
What Are the Symptoms of UTIs and UTI Delirium?
The “classic” symptoms of a UTI include:
- Pain, discomfort, or burning during urination
- Strong-smelling urine
- Cloudy, dark, or bloody urine
- The frequent or urgent need to urinate
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Pressure in the abdomen
- A feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
When an elderly person has UTI delirium, he or she may be less alert and less responsive. The person may be disoriented, seemingly unaware of where they are or what time it is. They may virtually overnight be unable to do something like walk or eat, and may struggle to follow a conversation. You could see sudden mood or behavior swings, and the person may even hallucinate, have delusions, or become paranoid.
What Does UTI Delirium Look Like in Elderly People?
There are three main types of delirium that may happen when an older person has a UTI.
Hyperactive Delirium
Hyperactive delirium is often the easiest to notice. A person may seem agitated, restless, or unusually suspicious of other people. He or she may lash out at staff or caregivers, believe someone is trying to cause harm, or see things that are not really there.
Hypoactive Delirium
Hypoactive delirium can look very different. The person may seem tired, slow, or withdrawn. He or she may stop interacting with others, have trouble focusing, and eat or drink much less than usual. Things that once brought comfort or enjoyment may no longer seem to matter.
Mixed Delirium
Mixed delirium includes signs of both types. A person may seem very upset and restless at one point in the day, then become drowsy, quiet, and distant a short time later. These changes can happen quickly and may be frightening for loved ones to see.
What Happens When UTIs Go Untreated in Nursing Home Patients?
UTIs are treated with antibiotics, but when left untreated, sepsis can develop. Sepsis occurs when the body releases chemicals into the bloodstream in an effort to stop an infection. This flood of chemicals can damage multiple organs. Sepsis can lead to septic shock, a dangerous drop in blood pressure, and even death.
Untreated UTIs can cause permanent kidney damage, and a patient who has two or more untreated UTIs in a six-month period can face a lifetime of recurring UTIs and UTI delirium. General preventative measures for UTIs include drinking lots of water and emptying the bladder often. This keeps the urinary system flushed and clear of bacterial buildup.
Can You Sue a Nursing Home for Negligence Resulting in a UTI in Illinois?
In some cases, you may be able to sue a nursing home if negligence led to a urinary tract infection. A UTI does not always happen because of neglect. Older adults can be more likely to develop infections due to age, illness, limited mobility, or the use of catheters. Still, a nursing home has a duty to provide residents with reasonable care.
Under Illinois law, nursing homes are expected to provide adequate care and protect residents from neglect and abuse (210 ILCS 45/2-107). If a facility breaks that duty and a resident suffers harm, the resident or family may have grounds for a legal claim. To succeed, you generally need to show that the nursing home acted negligently and that the negligence caused the infection or allowed it to become more serious.
In Illinois, there is a two-year statute of limitations on injuries caused by nursing home neglect. This effectively means you have two years from the date of the injury to take legal action. With that in mind, don’t wait to seek legal counsel if you suspect your loved one suffered preventable harm.
What Damages Are Available in a 2026 Nursing Home UTI Claim?
A nursing home UTI claim may allow a resident or family to recover compensation for both financial losses and personal harm. Damages often include the cost of medical care, such as hospital stays, doctor visits, testing, medication, and follow-up treatment. If the infection caused sepsis or another serious complication, those added medical costs may also be included.
Compensation may also be available for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the loss of normal daily functioning. In severe cases, a claim may involve long-term injury or even wrongful death damages.
Many nursing home claims, including UTI claims, are settled outside of court. However, if the nursing home or the insurance company won’t admit fault or pay for all of the damages, further legal action may become necessary. A nursing home injury lawyer can help you prepare for litigation and represent you in trial.
Contact Our Peoria County, IL Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers
If your loved one has frequent UTIs or has developed UTI delirium, you must look carefully at the nursing home to determine whether abuse or neglect is occurring. When you have an experienced Peoria, IL nursing home infection attorney by your side, you can take appropriate legal action to protect your loved one.
Our firm is a small division of a larger law firm. This allows us to ensure our clients have the resources and benefits of a large firm while receiving highly individualized attention and care. Contact Nursing Home Injury Center at 309-524-6900 to schedule your free consultation.
