Sue Woodward examines the causes and symptoms of this disorder and the role nurses can play in promoting healthy bowel habits

Older people, particularly those with underlying health problems, commonly experience constipation, which is a distressing symptom that can adversely affect quality of life. Assessment of constipation is vital to exclude treatable and underlying conditions and a step-wise approach should be taken to managing chronic constipation in older people.

Lifestyle modification and laxatives remain the mainstay of constipation management, but newer interventions are being developed and applied to the care of older people. Nurses are often pivotal to the identification and successful management of constipation. They should ensure that their knowledge and skills are maintained to enable them to implement care that is effective and evidence based.