Many elderly individuals struggle with constipation. It can cause a lot of discomfort and make your loved one want to stay home and miss some wonderful family time or important events. The key to managing constipation is often staying on top of it by having a diet that promotes good digestion and the fiber your loved one needs to make sure things can move along as they need.

Drafting up a grocery list with his senior home care provider and then following it while at the grocery store will be the first step in making sure your loved one gets the fiber he needs in his diet. Some of these grocery list items will be familiar and well known for their ability to prevent constipation but you might be surprised by a few of them.

Prunes

Prunes are the age-old item that everyone reaches for to help relieve constipation. And there’s a good reason for that. They are rich in fiber! Dried or fresh prunes don’t matter, they both do the job. And while prune juice doesn’t have fiber, it can also help because it contains sorbitol which is a natural laxative.

Pears, Apples, and Oranges

Not a fan of prunes? There’s no need to force them upon your loved one. Instead, have his senior home care provider pick up some pears, apples, or oranges while out shopping with your loved one. They have a slightly lower fiber intake but still enough to make a difference, especially when enjoyed regularly. Have your senior care provider fill a bowl of fresh fruit, put it on the kitchen table, and then remind your loved one that he needs to eat at least one a day. He’ll get the fiber he needs plus plenty of wonderful vitamins and nutrients that will keep his health in tip-top shape.

Carrots

Good for the eyes, carrots are also great at helping a body stay regular. They are rich in soluble fiber, which can help carry cholesterol out of the body through the stool. They also keep you full for a long time, so if your loved one struggles with feeling hungry all of the time, adding some carrots to his diet may help him reduce snacking on foods that have no nutrient values (or fiber).

Beans

Beans have more fiber in them than most fruits or vegetables, whether they are fresh or canned. Finding recipes that contain beans can help your loved one add these fiber-rich foods to his diet. Look at soups and chilis, along with many Mexican dishes to add beans to at least one meal a day.

Pineapple Juice

Drinking pineapple juice can help remove blockages in your loved one’s digestive system and get things back on track. The natural plant enzymes that are contained in the juice can help improve bowel functionality.

Water

This one is easy. Drinking more water and staying hydrated can help your loved one avoid constipation. Water and other non-caffeinated drinks add fluid to the colon making stools softer and easier to pass.

If you or an aging loved one is considering senior home care in Bethesda, MD, please contact the caring staff at Care At Home today. 301-970-9706

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Ann Smith RN

Owner at Care at Home

Ann Smith, RN, Realtor® Your local Home care and Home transition expert Ann is a Registered Nurse and a Realtor with a passion and dedication to serving her community. She has over twenty years of nursing experience in pediatric, geriatric, home health care, and care management. She founded Care at Home, a home care company, to provide seniors with services that promote independence and safe aging in place. Ann is dedicated to helping seniors achieve stress-free retirement living by providing comprehensive services from health to home. Ann's mother instilled in her the value of hard work, dedication, and service to others at a young age, which is now a driving force in her home care agency. Her caring and compassionate work with seniors began when she was just 17 years old. She was offered a job as a caregiver. Just as quickly, she instinctively knew that this would be her life's work. She soon became a nurse and has since helped many older adults transition seamlessly into a new phase of life. While helping seniors and individuals with their home care needs, it became apparent that part of the transition process often involved selling their current home for more suitable living arrangements. That's when Ann decided to add real estate services to alleviate stress and enhance her client's experience. It's also how she became known as the Home Transition Agent. Today, Ann helps her mature clients achieve stress-free retirement living by providing in-home care and comprehensive services from health to home. Ann's love for children and dedication to helping families caring for children with chronic health conditions inspired Pediatric Care at Home, a division of Care at Home that provides pediatric nursing care. Ann and her team are dedicated to providing compassionate care to all, from infants to older adults. When Ann isn't busy helping her patients and clients, she volunteers her time at women's shelters and fostering dogs. She and her veteran husband enjoy a simple life in the countryside, where farm animals and country life surround them. Ann also enjoys reading, photography, gardening, and nature walk with their dogs.

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