What should you know about dark urine in an elderly man?

Age alone does not explain a new colour change, and a person who feels confused or weak may need help sooner.

Strong-smelling, deep yellow urine may occur after drinking less, especially during hot weather or illness. Some medicines and supplements change urine shade. Burning, urgency, frequent small amounts, pelvic discomfort, or fever can point to a urinary infection. Tea-coloured urine with pale stools or yellow eyes may signal a liver or bile problem and should be assessed.

In older adults, thirst may be less noticeable and mobility, memory, swallowing difficulty, or dependence on carers can make drinking harder. Heart or kidney conditions may also limit how much fluid is appropriate, so increasing fluids substantially is not suitable for everyone.

Note the colour in fresh urine, the time it began, fluid intake, recent heat exposure, and every medicine or supplement being taken. If the person is alert and has no fluid restriction, offer their usual drinks regularly. Do not stop prescribed medicine or push extra fluid when a clinician has advised restriction. Arrange a medical review if the change lasts, recurs, or comes with urinary symptoms.

Get urgent help for new confusion, fainting, severe weakness, inability to drink, repeated vomiting, very little urine, or marked breathing difficulty. Prompt assessment is needed for blood-coloured or brown urine, fever with shaking chills, severe pain, or yellow skin or eyes. Further reading: [Dehydration](/conditions/dehydration/) and [Heat Exhaustion](/conditions/heat-exhaustion/).

Ask whether a urine sample, blood tests, or a medicine review is needed. Tell the clinician about prostate symptoms, falls, reduced drinking, constipation, fever, pain, and any known kidney, heart, or liver condition. Ask what fluid amount is safe and which changes require same-day help.