Lifestyle Modifications to Reduce Constipation among the Community Dwelling Elderly People

Constipation is a common digestive complaint in the elderly people. It has a significant effect on their daily living and well-being. Lifestyle modification is the first step for effectively manage it. So, the elderly people should maintain a healthy lifestyle to reduce constipation. The aim of the study was to identify the causes of constipation and to evaluate the effect of lifestyle modifications on reducing constipation among the elderly people. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was adopted. Subjects: A total of 120 elderly persons were recruited from two villages in Menoufia Governorate, Egypt. Four tools were used for data collection. Results: the mean age of the sample was 65.8 ± 6.9 years old. Causes for constipation included ignoring the urge of defecation (70.0%), irregular bowel habits (66.7%), inactivity (63.3%), presence of chronic disease (60.0%), colon problem (50.0%), insomnia (53.3%), stress (53.3%), nervousness (43.3%), drugs and indigestion (40.0%). Lifestyle modifications that help to reduce constipation were increasing of more vegetables in the diet, eating bran bread, drinking more than eight glasses of water daily, reducing caffeine intake, eating the meals at a regular time, and eating the breakfast meal and physical activity. There was a statistically significant reduction of constipation associated symptoms from pre to posttest. The participants (63.3%) changed their habits and maintain a regular toilet routine. Conclusion: Healthy lifestyle is recommended. It can reduce constipation associated symptoms. The elderly people who changed their lifestyle had normal bowel elimination per week (2.6±0.8). Recommendations: Changes in lifestyle such as increasing the daily intake of vegetables, fruits, and water are very important to reduce constipation. Also, the community health nurse should educate the elderly people to schedule their bowel elimination at the same time every day and avoid ignoring the urge.