Kate loves caring for her 78-year-old father. He's done so much for her over the years, and she's more than happy to repay him in the form of exceptional care. But lately, caring for Dad has gotten more difficult. He seems to be showing the early signs of Parkinson's disease. Most recently, he's been having trouble passing stools. He no longer wants to go out, which means Mom can't go out either. Mom is getting stir-crazy, and Dad is feeling lower than ever. Kate decides to take action to figure out what she can do to help her father cope with constipation and growing signs of Parkinson's disease.
Why Constipation Occurs
Constipation and infrequent bowel movements often occur as a result of Parkinson's disease. They're typically caused by lifestyle changes that people with this disease must undergo. When Kate speaks with Dad's doctor, she learns that the following issues may have contributed to her father's symptoms:
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Problems with Eating and Drinking: Parkinson's often leads to difficulty swallowing, which can make eating and drinking extremely difficult. Failing to consume enough fiber throughout the day may cause constipation and other stool issues.
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Weakening Bowels: As the bowel muscles weaken, they become less able to contract. Instead, they might clench when trying to use the toilet.
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Certain Medications: Some medications increase the chance of constipation by blocking involuntary muscle movements. These could slow bowel movements or decrease appetite overall.
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A Sedentary Lifestyle: Because Parkinson's reduces muscle control, patients may find exercise challenging. It's common that people with this condition live a more sedentary lifestyle, thereby slowing the passage of food through the intestines and causing constipation.
Caring for Someone with Constipation and Parkinson's
Constipation and the inability to poop normally are difficult topics to discuss. However, Kate is up to the challenge. She sees how this symptom has affected her father and plans to help in any way she can. In the coming days, she'll help Dad make these changes to his lifestyle in the hope they'll make constipation more manageable:
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Focus on Nutrition: Kate plans to sit down with her dad and do some meal planning. She has some ideas for how he can get more fiber in his diet via foods like cereal, brown rice, pasta, beans and bread.
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Get Plenty of Fluids: Water is essential to avoiding constipation, and Kate is here to help her dad drink at least six glasses every day.
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Support Good Toilet Habits: Dad's doctor told Kate about some good toilet habits to prevent constipation. Going forward, Kate will encourage Dad to go to the toilet as soon as he has the urge, use correct posture on the toilet and avoid holding his breath while having a bowel movement.
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Prioritize Exercise: Kate and her mom are ready to help Dad get more exercise. They plan to help him with easy exercises at first, then add more challenging moves later on. They aim for 30 minutes daily but are glad to adjust their plan when necessary.
BrightStar Care Can Support You
Dealing with constipation isn't easy—it's frustrating and can be embarrassing to talk about. But at BrightStar Care, we see no shame in asking for help! Our experienced staff in Naperville, IL provide a slew of services for those diagnosed with Parkinson's. Contact us to learn more about our array of in-home care offerings.