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It is normal for seniors to have a bowel movement every two to three days, although having one every day is considered ideal. When bowel movements are fewer or are accompanied by specific symptoms, constipation is the culprit. The following are ways to help constipation in the elderly.
Constipation is a frequent complaint among seniors. For people 65 and older, the rate is 26 percent for women and 16 percent for men. In seniors aged 84 or older, the rate increases to 36 percent for women and 26 percent for men. Advancing age increases the prevalence of constipation.
What are the symptoms of constipation?
The predominant symptom of constipation in seniors is straining. In people who are 65 and over, this symptom occurs in about 65 percent of this age group; forty percent of these individuals also report hard stools. Hard, lumpy stools and straining are just two common symptoms.
Constipation can also leave the senior feeling like she has been incompletely evacuated. Some individuals may feel the need to rely on manual maneuvers, such as helping the stool come out. Infrequent bowel movements, such as fewer than three per week, is another symptom of constipation.
What causes constipation in seniors?
Aging can cause difficulties in normal bodily processes. Insufficient water or fiber intake contributes to bouts of constipation. Seniors who engage in low levels of physical activity are susceptible to the condition. Psychological factors, such as fear during bowel movements, can also be responsible.
Certain medications may cause constipation, including Anti-Parkinson drugs, analgesic drugs (such as opioids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories), antidiarrheal drugs, antidepressants, and antihistamines. When medications are the cause of constipation, the senior’s doctor will consider deprescribing them (so long as health remains unaffected).
A range of diseases can also trigger bouts of constipation. Conditions that can lead to constipation include colorectal cancer and other cancer-related causes, diabetes, hypothyroidism, pelvic floor dysfunction, and Parkinson’s disease. Eating disorders and anxiety are psychological causes of constipation.
Mostly, the causes are derived from unhealthy eating habits. Read Changing Unhealthy Habits in Your Aging Parents to help identify the problem and build a better routine.
How is constipation in the elderly treated?
Prior to treating constipation in a senior, the main causes of the condition must be pinpointed. During a visit to a geriatrician or physician, the aging adult may be asked questions to determine the frequency and consistency of stools and if any red flags indicate colon cancer.
The majority of older adults who suffer from constipation will not have red flags or signs of mechanical obstruction. The senior’s doctor will discuss treatment goals, which are normally the passage of soft stools without straining at least three times per week.
- Increase Fiber and Hydration
We recommend caregivers increase their seniors’ fiber intake. However, fiber should be increased gradually, such as by 5 grams per week, in order to reduce gastrointestinal effects, like bloating and flatulence. Eventually, the aging adult should consume up to 20 to 30 grams of fiber each day.
Prunes are an excellent source of fiber; 12 prunes are equivalent to 6 grams of fiber per day. While increasing a daily fiber intake, fluid consumption should also be increased. Without adequate hydration, the fiber can develop into a hard mass that is difficult to pass.
Fruit, vegetables, and bran are high-fiber foods and recommended to seniors who suffer from constipation. Older people should also limit their intake of alcoholic beverages, as they have a diuretic effect. Instead, seniors are advised to increase hydration with water and juice.
- Establish a Toilet Routine
Caregivers should build a toilet routine into the senior’s schedule. For example, shortly after waking, the senior should engage in light exercises, such as walking or yoga. A hot, caffeinated beverage should be consumed along with a high fiber cereal. End the day with a fiber supplement.
- Take Laxatives
Chronic constipation symptoms may be alleviated with medications. Bulking agents, like Metamucil, create bulkier stool, which is easier for the colon to evacuate. Taking a bulking agent requires that the senior drink plenty of water; otherwise, the extra fiber will cause impaction.
Stimulant laxatives, like Dulcolax, work by stimulating the colon so that it moves stool along more quickly. Stool softeners may also be successfully used with no adverse effects. Osmotic laxatives, such as Miralax, cause minimal adverse effects, such as gas and cramping.
The goal of using an osmotic laxative (with an added stimulant, if necessary) is to prevent and treat constipation while avoiding fecal impaction. When choosing a laxative, a caregiver should keep in mind the senior’s preferences for taste, cost, and tolerance of gas.
- Use Enemas
Occasional enemas are a helpful treatment in preventing fecal impaction when the senior hasn’t had a bowel movement in three days. Caregivers are advised to avoid saline enemas and instead opt for a warm tap water enema. Experts warn to not use enemas every day.
An optimal bowel maintenance regimen can prevent or help constipation in elderly individuals. When constipation occurs, both lifestyle changes and over-the-counter laxatives are the first lines of treatment. Caregivers can implement healthy habits and effectively improve constipation symptoms in older adults.
Although most seniors will report symptoms of constipation, those with dementia may be unable to. Forgetfulness or an inability to communicate symptoms prevent these individuals from letting caregivers know about their discomfort. Rather, these seniors will be irritable or act out when constipated.
Aging adults who suffer from constipation or any other condition would benefit from extra support at home. Professional caregivers, like those from Assisting Hands Home Care, will introduce healthy lifestyle habits, transport seniors to doctors, and ensure they take medications on time.
Assisting Hands Home Care offers high-quality elder care to seniors of all abilities. If your loved one suffers from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, our compassionate memory care is ideal. Our trained caregivers identify dementia symptoms, like agitation or wandering, and help calm the patient.
Choose Assisting Hands Home Care for the most dependable memory care in Geneva, Illinois, and its surrounding communities. We support the senior’s nonmedical needs in the comfort of home. Schedule a complimentary in-home consult and ensure your loved one receives expert, qualified home care at (847) 462-4402.
