Best Practice to Prevent Constipation in People Living With Dementia: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neurology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Constipation is a common issue in individuals with dementia.
• Effective prevention strategies are crucial for maintaining quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore evidence on strategies for preventing constipation in people with dementia.
• To identify non-pharmacological interventions for constipation management in this population.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was performed across eight electronic databases.
• Data screening, extraction, analysis, and charting were conducted by two independent researchers.
• A standardized data extraction tool was utilized.

Main Results:

• Seven studies published between 1997 and 2019 were identified.
• Three of the included studies were randomized controlled trials.
• A variety of non-pharmacological strategies were found to be used.

Conclusions:

• Identified strategies can inform constipation prevention in dementia care.
• Emphasizes the importance of lifestyle and environmental modifications.
• Supports the goal of achieving regular, soft-formed bowel movements.