Anticipation and early detection can reduce bowel elimination complications

Adequate bowel elimination is essential for physiologic functioning and daily comfort of older patients. A careful assessment of normal bowel elimination patterns will help to prevent unnecessary bowel problems when the older patient is hospitalized or admitted to a long-term care facility. Constipation and incontinence are the two most common bowel elimination problems affecting older adults. Many simple nursing interventions exist that will help to prevent major complications that can occur when constipation or incontinence is present.