Elderly bowel care
Bowel care at home for older people with continence issues, from compassionate, experienced Care Professionals who can provide timely assistance and protect their dignity.
What is elderly bowel care?
Many older adults experience bowel issues as they age due to various health conditions, and some common problems include constipation, diarrhoea, and bowel incontinence. These could be the result of a condition like bowel cancer, or could develop over time due to gastrointestinal issues, weakened muscles, medications, diet, and other factors.
Bowel care focuses on managing symptoms in a compassionate way to preserve dignity. Depending on the cause, bowel care might involve:
- Quickly managing instances of incontinence
- Administering medications for issues like diarrhoea or constipation
- Helping maintain a healthy diet and stay hydrated
- Monitoring bowel movements
- Providing emotional support after potentially embarrassing bowel episodes
Why is elderly bowel care at home helpful for older adults?
Bowel incontinence is thought to affect 1 in 10 people at some point in life, but it is most common in older people. One of the main reasons for this is that some gastrointestinal changes are more common in older people than other age groups. Having help to manage these at home can be extremely beneficial to maintain health, hygiene and dignity.
Bowel care at home helps older adults to avoid moving into a care home, and instead, stay in the comfort and familiarity of their home where they may feel less embarrassment over incontinence issues.
If physical incontinence is not an issue, some older adults who struggle with mobility or conditions like dementia may also struggle to manage bowel care independently, and will need additional help.
Do I need bowel care?
Home-based bowel care provides privacy, maintains dignity, reduces the stress of using shared facilities, and allows older adults to manage their bowel health in a comfortable environment.
If you have started to struggle with bowel incontinence lately, or you experience mental health issues like anxiety over the sudden need to use the bathroom, bowel care at home could provide the practical and emotional support you need, as well as peace of mind that there is always someone to help when you feel vulnerable.
Your Care Professional can help you take steps to alleviate symptoms like bloating, discomfort or pain, help you to maintain regular bowel habits, and swiftly manage accidental leaks or issues while remaining positive and encouraging.
How can we help?
We've helped thousands of families to stay safe, comfortable and happy at home. Whatever situation you're facing, or whatever the question is, Home Instead is here to help.
Are you in need of a little guidance right away?
03300 583450Are you in need of a little guidance right away?
03300 583450
I am very happy with the support, care and kindness I receive from all the staff of Home Instead.B.M, Client
This is a company whose staff really do care on a personal level and who are client orientated, providing stimulative activities, conversation and going the extra mile to help client and family.Eileen, Client
Home Instead provide first class care. My care professionals are patient, kind and very reliable. I am very happy with the service they provide.Paul, Client
Get in touch today to
see how we can help
How to get started arranging bowel care
We appreciate that discussing your toileting habits and needs may feel awkward or uncomfortable, but our compassionate, friendly Care Professionals are trained and experienced in providing this type of care with a smile. No matter your needs, we are always on hand to provide personalised care that keeps your preferences and dignity in mind.
We work hard to pair each and every client with a Care Professional they feel comfortable with, and who matches their personality. With our help, you can begin to reduce any stress you feel around this, become confident with a bathroom routine that works for you, and if desired, venture out to explore your local area, knowing that your Care Professional will be there to help whenever you need them.
Why Home Instead?
We are proud to be rated 9.6 on Homecare.co.uk, with many of our locations also rated “outstanding” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), so when it comes to bowel care, you can rest assured this will always be done discreetly and compassionately by experienced professionals who are trained in providing the very best care.
Whether you need occasional help getting to and from the bathroom, regular personal care after bowel incontinence, or encouragement and support to maintain a social life despite incontinence issues, our Care Professionals can provide the friendly care you need to remain living independently and confidently in the place you know and love.
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FAQs
How can home care help prevent constipation in the elderly?
Our Care Professionals can support a high-fibre diet, ensure proper hydration, and encourage light physical activity tailored to the individual’s abilities. They can also monitor bowel habits and provide gentle reminders or assistance with toileting routines.
What can home carers do to manage bowel incontinence?
A Care Professional can help by creating a personalised care plan, which may include dietary adjustments, scheduled toileting, and hygiene support. They can also assist with using incontinence products discreetly and provide emotional reassurance to maintain the individual’s dignity.
How do carers monitor and address changes in bowel habits?
All our Care Professionals are trained to observe and document any changes in bowel patterns, such as frequency, consistency, or discomfort. They can communicate these changes to family members or healthcare providers to ensure timely medical intervention if needed.
Can carers assist with medication management for bowel health?
Yes, Care Professionals can help ensure medications, such as prescribed laxatives or stool softeners, are taken as directed. They can also monitor for side effects of other medications that may impact bowel health and report concerns to healthcare providers.
Diane WIlliams , Head of Quality & Standards
Before joining Home Instead, I built a comprehensive career in the social care sector, beginning in 1991 as a frontline care worker and advancing to senior leadership roles across both private and voluntary sector businesses.
Throughout my career, I have supported diverse care groups in a variety of settings, including community, residential, nursing, and secure environments. My experience spans working with older adults, including those living with dementia; individuals with physical disabilities and complex, long-term health needs; people with learning disabilities, including autism; individuals with enduring mental health challenges; individuals with current or past substance use and those with forensic backgrounds.
In 2002, I qualified as a social worker and have since maintained my professional registration with Social Work England.