04/02/2026
Calling all Occupational Therapists. New webinar incoming...
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are one of the most common causes of ill health, hospital admission and functional decline in older adults. UTIs are rarely just a medical issue. They are deeply connected to mobility, cognition, fatigue and the ability to manage everyday self-care, all of which directly affect functional independence.
Treating UTIs costs NHS hospitals in England an estimated £604 million in 2023–24, underlining both economic impact and the importance of prevention in older populations*.
Understanding why UTIs are more common in later life requires looking beyond the well-recognised common clinical factors, to better understand both the functional and environmental barriers to safe and effective toileting.
For the full story and to sign up to our free webinar on the impact of toilet hygiene on health and wellbeing, exploring the aetiology and epidemiology of UTIs, see link in the comments.
Animation shows figure stood in front of a toilet with hands folded in front of abdomen with loading bar graphic.
*UK Health Security agency