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Updated: Mar 18, 2026

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Gastrointestinal care for older people
Penny Tremayne1, Penny Harrison1
1Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester, England.
Abstract:
This article discusses gastrointestinal (GI) healthcare in older people. It outlines the physiological changes that occur in the GI tract as a result of ageing, and discusses common GI disorders in older people. These GI disorders include dysphagia, gastrointestinal reflux disease, colorectal cancer, diverticular disease, constipation and anaemia. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the factors that may influence gastrointestinal health in older people, including nutrition, hydration and alcohol use, which are important considerations when delivering person-centred care.
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