How can constipation and fecal impaction be prevented in the nursing home?
• Proper assessment and documentation of the occurrence of a bowel movement by nursing home staff. • A care plan to address constipation if there is a problem. • Toileting elders when they say they need to have a bowel movement. Delaying the urge to have a bowel movement contributes to constipation. • Providing a consistent time each day to sit residents on the toilet to have a bowel movement if they cannot express their need to go. After breakfast is an ideal time. • Making sure residents are eating plenty of fiber, drinking adequate fluids, and getting plenty of exercise.
Hi,
Constipation is a common complaint among geriatric patients and may result in significant morbidity, especially among nursing home residents. The keys to relief constipation are simple enough. You should drink adequate amounts of water. Six to eight glasses a day is a good rule. Also, get sufficient fiber by eating : Fruits, veggetables. Fiber is critical, because most of our stool is actually made up of bacteria, and fiber provides the bacteria a good place to grow. Sounds strange, but the interaction action results in a larger volume of stool and better bowel function. Also, be sure to exercise regularly.
