Old people + constipation = a mess!

[MissCommando]

I've been a care assistant for a few years now and have noticed how many old people (some with dementia, some without) 'perform manuals on themselves'. This is the term staff in work use.

I can't understand how people can rummage around their back passage! Is it something that these old people would have always done?

It's the one thing in my job I find hard to deal with and it always makes me heave when residents have poo all over their fingers!

Do you think it's something the older generation have always done or is it something everyone will do when they're older and having trouble?

[cazzz1975]

manuals...?

[andy-hughes]

I would suggest it's an action borne out of confusion, rather than an ongoing habbit.

I confess I have never heard of it - respect to you for dealing with this, and other aspects of old age the rest of us would prefer not to think about!

[MissCommando]

Basically having a dig around to get poo out. One lady tried doing it at the dinner table the other day! A lot of old people suffer with constipation and most of them are on senna etc. I just don't understand how people can touch their back passage let alone have a 'scoop' around!

[rowanwitch]

pretty common....some old folk need a bit of help if laxatives etc don't work although since a couple of unfortunate incidents in the late 80's only doctors and a few specialist nurses should do manual evacs
when they are confused they may just be responding to a 'sensation' but its worse when they become 'interior decorators' especially if their room isn't all wipe clean surfaces....

[bobjugs12]

And there goes my appetite..........

[cazzz1975]

oh well yes it seems pretty gross but probably more on the lines of andy's suggestion, also to add, they may not feel comfortable and adjust themselves to the horror of the onlookers!

[redman41]

Sadly they are losing their Faculties due to Old Age.........they are unlikely to do this if their Mental State was OK

[Ankou]

can't you administer microenemas ?

[MissCommando]

redman - not all of them are losing their faculties so can't blame it on that. I used to work in a home with all dementia sufferers so thought it was the dementia. Now I work with some people who have 'all their marbles' who do it.

I wondered if it was something they've always done.

Sorry I know it's a gross topic but I am interested

[cazzz1975]

maybe its as a result of severe constipation? if their bowels were working normally I would imagine they would not need to "dig about" and would feel comfortable. constipation can feel terrible especially if it is chronic.

[RATTER15]

I also work in a care home specialising in Dementia, we have one lady that does this, she has dementia but no one else does it, with or without dementia! its certainly not a common thing. we have 36 residents and only one finger poker, I hate cleaning and cutting her nails :-(

[jaydah]

Due to sitting in poo and feel uncomfortable, confused patients will 'feel' for the discomfort. If/when their fingers are soiled at feeding-time they are unaware of the situ, that's why they are in care.

The carer's job is to keep them clean !

[B00]

"Now I work with some people who have 'all their marbles' who do it. "

With all due respect, and I do bow to your superior knowledge, but folk who do this at the dinner table are not- in my book- ones who have all their marbles!

[MissCommando]

jaydah - of course I would keep them clean. I'm not exactly going to leave them with filthy hands! Just find it a bit hard to stomach sometimes.

B00 - I can understand why you think that but she really does have her marbles. Infact, there are 2 ladies from upstairs (in the residential wings) who do it.

[B00]

Have you asked her why she does it then? Especially at the dinner table?

Again, forgive me, but im reluctant to believe anyone sane does this, let alone in full view of other people at a dinner table. Time and a place and all that!

[RATTER15]

Miss Commando, maybe they are not getting the correct diet if this is happening so much, Like I said, we have one lady that does this out of 36 residents, I have never known anyone in the past to do it either, this particular lady has may difficulties with her bowels.

And someone doing that at the table clearly has lost a few cells, I'm not sure what you think is normal!!!!!

[MissCommando]

I don't assess people but she appears to have all her marbles to me and she's in the residential wing.

I wasn't in on the day she did it at the dinner table but read it in her file. Perhaps I'll ask the other staff if it's a regular occurrence. Maybe she needs to be re-assessed then!?

Hmm, the food isn't great to be honest so that could be why. Almost all the residents are on senna or something similar.

[redman41]

I totally agree with BOO ! Completely sane older people will not do this.
When you are unable to wipe your own Ar*e when on the Toilet then unfortunately it's time to say goodbye to this Planet.

[jaydah]

MissC, drugged all-age patients in hospital have same accidents, especially at feeding times. It's not habitual or normal but due to confusion.

If such patients are left to feed themselves with soiled hands, not only will their health suffer, the ward hygiene suffers along with staff - who get a severe rollicking for neglecting their patients.

[jaydah]

"all on senna" there's your answer MissC......too much senna can cause loose & frequent stools.