UTI in older adults

Grandma not eating again? It may be a UTI.

In older people, a urine infection often doesn’t cause the usual burning. It shows up as not eating, sleeping more, a new muddle or a fall. A doctor comes to the home to examine them, test the urine and start treatment if it is a UTI.

Book a home visit When to call 995

Why it’s easy to miss

UTIs in the elderly rarely look like UTIs.

If your parent has had urine infections before, you may recognise the pattern: off their food, more tired, a little confused or unsteady. A clinic trip is hard work for someone frail, and the queue at A&E is harder still.

Home-visit doctor in navy scrubs taking an elderly woman's temperature at her forehead, with her daughter beside her.

At home, the doctor examines them properly, because not eating can have other causes — a chest infection, dehydration, constipation or a medication problem among them. A urine dipstick test is done on the spot, and a sample can be sent to the laboratory to guide the antibiotic choice. If it is a UTI, treatment starts the same day, with a plan for what to watch for.

What the doctor does

Assessment and treatment, at home.

A full assessment

Vital signs and an examination to find the cause, not just test the urine — so other problems aren’t missed.

Urine tested at home

A dipstick test during the visit, with a sample sent to the lab when needed (laboratory tests are billed at cost).

Treatment and follow-up

Antibiotics if it is a UTI, advice on fluids and what to watch for, and a follow-up teleconsult or visit if needed.

Not their usual self? Tell us what you’ve noticed and a doctor comes to them.

Book a home visit

Safety first

When a home visit is not the right call.

Call 995 instead if

They are very hard to wake or suddenly much more confused; they are breathing fast or struggling to breathe; their skin is cold, clammy or mottled; they are shivering uncontrollably with a fever; they have passed no urine for 12 hours or more; or they have a new weakness of the face, arm or leg. These can be signs of a serious infection or a stroke.

Caring for a parent in a nursing home or with a live-in helper? We also visit residents in aged-care homes — see the guide on recognising emergencies in the elderly.

How it works

Care arrives in three simple steps.

1. Tell us what’s wrong
WhatsApp or call any hour. We ask a few questions and confirm the fee for your time window.
2. A doctor comes to you
Islandwide, day or night. The arrival window is confirmed when you call.
3. Treatment at home
The visit is a flat $300 in office hours (Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm) or $450 after hours, including a 30-minute consultation. Medication, consumables and procedures are billed on top and itemised on your receipt — the doctor tells you before anything extra is done.

Good to know

Questions, answered.

What people ask before booking.

Talk to our team

Often not the burning or frequency younger people get. Common signs are loss of appetite, new or worse confusion, more sleepiness, a fall, new incontinence or a fever. These can have other causes too, which is why a full examination matters.

Yes. The doctor does a urine dipstick test during the visit and can send a sample to the laboratory to confirm the infection and guide the choice of antibiotic. Laboratory tests are billed at cost.

If the doctor’s assessment points to a urinary tract infection, yes — treatment can be started during the visit, with follow-up to make sure they are improving.

A flat $300 in office hours or $450 after hours, including a 30-minute consultation. Medication and laboratory tests are billed on top and itemised on your receipt.

Urgent Care At Home Pte Ltd · UEN 202627146M

Contact: hello@urgentcareathome.sg · +65 8505 5728

Urgent Care At Home Pte Ltd is licensed under the Healthcare Services Act 2020 to provide an Outpatient Medical Service by remote and temporary premises.

If you need emergency or life-saving treatment, do not seek it through this service. Call 995 or go to the nearest Emergency Department immediately.