Why would a perfectly clean lady smell of urine?

[RATTER15]

We have an elderly lady at our home that sometimes has a very strong smell of urine about her, and I mean very strong so the whole room is filled with the smell.

We have changed her, showered her and within a short while the smell is back even though she is perfectly clean and dry. Apart from age related issues she is moderately fit, she has fairly severe dementia and diabetes but is very mobile and rarely sits down. She is 94 years old.

Any ideas?

[RATTER15]

The smell seems to be more prevalent later in the day her bedding and mattress are impeccably clean and she never wets her bedding and her bedroom does not smell.

[rowanwitch]

clothes that have been engrained with the smell only release it when warmed... some synthetics are really bad for this No amount of washing get rid of it, You could buy some urine dipsticks and test for protein yourself a positive result would be enough evidence for the GP to investigate further

[anneasquith]

ratter, does she have halitosis ?

[RATTER15]

We do have the test strips and we do dip urine ourselves but before the GPs will run their own tests they always phone us and ask what symptoms are being presented, if we dont give any symptoms of illness they refuse to test them.

Bednobs, urine samples are usually easily collected, we just take them to a commode rather than a toilet and they are always toileted on commodes when getting out of bed in the mornings.

[pusskin]

ratter, could it be the cushion that she regularly sits on --could that be the problem?

[RATTER15]

>>ratter, does she have halitosis ?<< No I don't think so.

[rowanwitch]

Acrid smell? is it her breath or is it possible she has cancer some of them can produce strange smells A vaginal/cervical tumour can produce foul odours if fungating but may not be visible from the outside

[anneasquith]

dehydrated ?

[RATTER15]

I will get the GP involved here, Im not sure about a UTI because her urine doesn't actually smell strong but I will push for urine tests.

[RATTER15]

Anne, she is usually a little deyhdrated but that is quite common with many of those I look after, we can seldom get them to drink enough fluids, I don't think its that because that would also cause her urine to be concentrated and smelly and it isnt. All a bit confusing really.

In herself she is a very happy lady, always on the move and never causes any problems until she starts moving the furniture around or picking it up and walking off with it, not bad for a 94 year old with osteoporosis and cant even stand upright. :)

[RATTER15]

pusskin, She rarely sits down and always on the go, when she does sit down it is rarely in the same place twice. I work in a severe dementia unit, they all just wander and sit wherever the feel like, only one or two have their regular seats.

[RATTER15]

>>>I hope it's nothing too serious and can be cleared up soon.<<<

So do I headwreck, she is such a sweet lady, all the staff would be so upset to lose her, a real character. :)

[Glaikityin]

Does your lady wear sheepskin slippers? Just a thought. They are `bad` for having an acrid smell when they are needing to be replaced. Hope you get it sorted out soon for everyone`s sake.

[firewatch]

my mum had this problem when she worked in care the old ladies athough clean and happy would smell of urine, they sometimes never worked out why but i am going back 15/16 years! Perhaps its coneccted to her diabeates, i hope it can be sorted she sounds such a sweaty!

[pusskin]

She sounds a really nice ole girl ratter. Hope the problem get sorted for you soon x

[brenda]

Are the armchair cushions clean and dry? Sometimes the chairs can get soaked with urine , which when dry still leaves a smell. This comment is a general one and no reflection on the home you work in.Brenda.

[RATTER15]

Brenda, the smell is coming only from this one lady, even when she is clean and dry.
The furniture and carpets are always clean.