Help! My Elderly Parent is Constipated! A Guide to Getting Things Moving Again

Let’s face it, pooping isn’t as easy as it used to be. As we get older, constipation and irregularity can become all too common. And when you’re caring for an elderly parent or loved one, their pooping problems quickly become your problem too. You find yourself desperately searching for solutions to get them back on track pooping regularly.

We feel your pain. There’s nothing fun about monitoring someone else’s poop habits and desperately willing them to just go already! But helping an elderly person plagued by constipation can often take some trial and error. What works for one person may do nothing for another.

In this post, we’ll explore some of the safest, most effective methods for getting elderly adults pooping regularly again. From ways to gently stimulate and soften stool, to understanding when to ask the doctor for prescription help, you’ll get the best tips to win the battle against constipation. Arm yourself with knowledge, patience and a hearty sense of humor, and you’ll both get through this cramped-up chapter. Let’s move some bowels and get things flowing smoothly again!

Understanding Elderly Constipation

Constipation is defined as having fewer than three bowel movements per week. Contributing factors include:

Decreased physical activity leading to slower digestion
Illnesses and medications that slow the bowels
Dehydration from poor fluid intake
Diets low in fiber leading to hardened stool

Additionally, conditions like diabetes and neurological disorders can affect nerves and muscles involved in pooping. together, these issues make constipation a perfect storm in the elderly.

Signs your aging loved one is backed up include:

Straining to poop with little result
Lumpy or hard stool
Painful pooping
Feeling bloated and uncomfortable
Loss of appetite
Confusion or restlessness from toxins released by stool backing up

If you notice these symptoms, taking steps to get them pooping regularly again is vital. But where do you start? Let’s explore some safe, gradual approaches.

#1 Way to Help the Elderly Poop – Drink More Fluids!

The number one way to keep elderly bowels moving is hydration. Dehydration is a major cause of constipation in older adults. Aim for 6-8 glasses of non-caffeinated fluids per day. Great options include:

Water
Fruit juices like prune, apple, and pear juice
Herbal teas
Broths and soups
Foods with high water content like melon, grapes, oranges

A good tip is to keep a water bottle or cup within reach to make drinking regularly easier. Flavoring water with citrus or cucumber can help it go down easier too. Proper hydration softens stool and makes elimination easier.

Let Fiber Be Your Friend For Softer Stool

In addition to fluids, fiber is crucial for bulking up and softening stool to make pooping easier. Gradually increase fiber with:

Whole grains like whole wheat bread, oatmeal, bran cereals
Fruits like apples, berries, pears, prunes
Vegetables like broccoli, squash, carrots, celery
Nuts and seeds
Dried beans and peas

Ramp up fiber slowly to prevent gas. Target 25-30 grams of fiber per day. Taking a fiber supplement like Metamucil can help too.

Power Up Physical Activity

Lack of movement allows stool to sit stagnant in the colon. Aim for light physical activity like:

Going for short, slow walks
Doing chair aerobics or stretching
Spending time upright instead of in bed
Executing leg lifts, knee raises, and marching in place while seated

Even small amounts of activity stimulate the muscles involved in pooping to work stool through the bowels.

Establish a Potty Routine

Having a set potty routine helps the bowels anticipate when it’s time to move stool. Try this schedule:

Drink warm liquid first thing in the morning
Sit on the toilet for 5-10 minutes after breakfast
Try again after lunch and dinner
Spend time relaxing on toilet with feet propped up

Positioning with knees above hips while leaning forward helps. Let your loved one take their time to allow stool to pass.

Medicated OTC Constipation Relief Options

If stool remains hard and difficult to pass after a few days of increased fluids, fiber, and exercise, over-the-counter medications may help get things moving.

Stool Softeners like docusate (Colace) help stool absorb liquid to soften it.

Laxatives like polyethylene glycol (Miralax) draw water into the colon to stimulate pooping.

Stimulant Laxatives containing senna or bisacodyl promote intestinal contractions.

For stubborn constipation, combinations of these may be most effective. Always follow dosing instructions and precautions on packages.

Natural Constipation Remedies from Your Kitchen

Many everyday items can help combat constipation gently and naturally:

Prune juice contains sorbitol which acts like a laxative. Drink 4-8 ounces per day.
Warm drinks like herbal tea, lemon water, or coffee stimulate movement.
Castor oil coats the stool to ease passage. Take 1-2 teaspoons.
Probiotic yogurt contains good bacteria to promote gut health. Eat 4-6 ounces daily.
Molasses contains magnesium which draws water into the colon. Take 1-2 tablespoons.

When desperate, combining several remedies may provide relief without the harshness of stimulant laxatives.

Helpful Tips for Using Suppositories

Suppositories are inserted directly into the rectum to stimulate bowel movements. Types include:

Glycerin suppositories draw fluid into the colon and relax muscles.
Bisacodyl suppositories trigger intestinal contractions to move stool.

To use a suppository:

Have your loved one lie on their side with knees bent.
Put on gloves and insert suppository pointed tip first about 1-2 inches into the rectum.
Stay lying down for 15-20 minutes to allow absorption.
Use gentle pressure on the abdomen to aid movement.
Offer a bedpan or assist to the toilet when urge strikes.

Suppositories provide quick relief but shouldn’t replace addressing underlying causes long-term through diet, fluids, and activity.

When to See the Doctor About Elderly Constipation

While occasional constipation can be managed at home, seek medical advice if your loved one experiences:

No bowel movement for 3 or more days
Difficulty passing stool after trying remedies for several days
Blood in the stool
Fever, vomiting, severe pain with constipation
Unexplained weight loss

The doctor can assess for underlying issues, provide stronger laxatives if needed, and rule out impaction requiring disimpaction. Don’t delay getting medical care.

Laxatives like Lubiprostone (Amitiza) and Linaclotide (Linzess) may be prescribed long-term if simple measures aren’t sufficient.

Prevention is the Best Medicine

Once you’ve achieved poop success, focus on prevention and maintenance:

Continue drinking fluids, eating fiber, and staying active
Take psyllium husk (Metamucil) daily
Limit constipating foods like cheese, meat, and processed grains
Address conditions like diabetes and immobility contributing to constipation
Schedule colonoscopy screenings to rule out colon issues

Staying ahead of constipation through diet, exercise, and routine keep bowels moving smoothly.

Poop Triumph! Celebrating Your Success

Hooray! Your efforts have paid off and your elderly loved one is pooping regularly again. Be sure to celebrate the poop victories:

Note dates/times in a poop journal to identify healthy patterns
Offer rewards like their favorite snack or activity after potty success
Watch for early constipation signs and have remedies ready to act fast
Know when to ask the doctor for more help to avoid setbacks

With patience and diligence, you can help your aging parent or grandparent be pain and constipation free. May the poops be forever in their favor!