My dad is in a nursing home and regularly having bowel issues and constipation as he is not moving very much due to his condition.
They keep giving him pharmaceutical laxatives to 'move' the digestive tract. But after drinking those he is having incontinence (not always though). I kind of don't see this as the best option in the long run.. :/
So I was wondering are there any really natural digestive remedies?
Or maybe some good-for-digestion food/snacks I could bring him the next time I visit?
I would really appreciate your help,
Thank you very much,
Carlos
The old fashioned advice still holds true - more whole grains, fruits and veggies, more fluids of any kind (this is often the #1 problem, people in the NH just don't drink enough), prunes and prune juice. You could ask about a probiotic being prescribed, that's the only way to ensure it will be given.
I'm popping back to add - you should bring this up at your care conference, staff may have some good ideas and it is always better to get them working with you to solve any problem.
These will help keep his system regular and it helps with many other body functions. (Milk of Magnesium is used for constipation and the active ingredient is the magnesium) I recommend using the magnesium supplement nightly and forget about the chemical additives that MOM has. Adding a 30mg zinc to the magnesium will give the added benefit of better sleep, the combination helps our bodies naturally produce melatonin, the sleep hormone.
This with the benefit of added fibers through his diet can help immensely with his problem.
Oh, a probiotic would be beneficial for his overall health as well.
Metamucil can be added to smoothies to help also if your dad can get one.
My dad would drink shakes that had pureed cauliflower and pumpkin and it worked like a charm. It was flavorful and tasted like pumpkin pie for him.
1 cup of frozen pumpkin puree (I froze mine in ice cube trays the night before)
½ cup of frozen cauliflower florets
1 cup milk of choice
2 tablespoons of liquid sweetener (agave, maple syrup, honey, etc. Sugar free maple syrup can be used, but real syrup is best.)
1 tablespoon of nut butter (I used almond butter)
1 scoop of protein powder
Pinch of salt (or salt substitute)
¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or cinnamon. Pumpkin Pie spice is best)
Instructions:
Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until creamy and smooth. Add more liquid, a couple tablespoons at a time, as needed to get the blender going.
Take as directed, which means enough water. It is possible some elders would object to the texture. Important to let it soften in the liquid you're mixing it in, but it only takes a minute at most or it gets unpleasantly thick. This route is probably only going to work for people who are not overly picky. (Most privileged persons, maybe.)
Available in capsules too, again, if you're happy spending extra money.
I eat a very high fiber diet, but still require this all natural supplement for my system to function regularly and comfortably.
It's not something I crave but takes less than a minute at most and has changed my life for the better.
Oh --- and I second the daily use of extra magnesium.
Thanks.
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