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Practice Tip Sheets for Careworkers Advance Care Planning Advanced Dementia Advanced Dementia Behavioural Changes After Death Choices Aged Care Access and Assessment Anxiety Cachexia Sarcopenia and Anorexia Case Conferences Complementary Therapies Constipation Continuity of Care Culturally Responsive Care Communication Distress at the End of Life Dysphagia Dyspnoea End of Life Care Pathways Eye Care Faecal Incontinence First Australians Communication Frailty Grief and Loss among Older People Families and Residents Grief and Loss among Staff Myths about Morphine Nutrition and Hydration Opioid Analgesics Oral Care Pain Management Palliative Care People with Intellectual Disability Communication People with Specific Needs Person Centred Care Psychosocial Assessment and Support Quality of Life Recognising Deterioration Respiratory Secretions Self Care Signs of Imminent Death Skin and Wound Care Spiritual Care Supporting Families Talking about Dying Talking within the Aged Care Team Next Steps for CareworkersPractice Tip Sheets for Nurses Advance Care Planning Advanced Dementia Advanced Dementia Behavioural Changes After Death Choices Aged Care Access and Assessment Anxiety Cachexia Sarcopenia and Anorexia Case Conferences Complementary Therapies Constipation Continuity of Care Culturally Responsive Care Communication Distress at the End of Life Dysphagia Dyspnoea End of Life Care Pathways Eye Care Faecal Incontinence First Australians Communication Frailty Grief and Loss among Older People and Families Grief and Loss among Staff Inclusive Communication for Older People with Disability Myths about Morphine Nutrition and Hydration Opioid Analgesics Oral Care Pain Management Palliative Care People with Specific Needs Person Centred Care Psychosocial Assessment and Support Quality of Life Recognising Deterioration Respiratory Secretions Self Care Signs of Imminent Death Skin and Wound Care Spiritual Care Supporting Families Talking about Dying Talking within the Aged Care Team Next Steps for NursesPalliAGED Introduction Modules Introduction Modules ManualTraining and Education palliAGED ProductsPractice Tip Sheets for CareworkersDeveloping the Workforce Supporting Change Service Solutions Download Resources Order Free ResourcesAdvance Care Planning Advanced Dementia Advanced Dementia Behavioural Changes After Death Choices Aged Care Access and Assessment Anxiety Cachexia Sarcopenia and Anorexia Case Conferences Complementary Therapies Constipation Continuity of Care Culturally Responsive Care Communication Distress at the End of Life Dysphagia Dyspnoea End of Life Care Pathways Eye Care Faecal Incontinence First Australians Communication Frailty Grief and Loss among Older People Families and Residents Grief and Loss among Staff Myths about Morphine Nutrition and Hydration Opioid Analgesics Oral Care Pain Management Palliative Care People with Intellectual Disability Communication People with Specific Needs Person Centred Care Psychosocial Assessment and Support Quality of Life Recognising Deterioration Respiratory Secretions Self Care Signs of Imminent Death Skin and Wound Care Spiritual Care Supporting Families Talking about Dying Talking within the Aged Care Team Next Steps for CareworkersPractice Tip Sheets for Nurses PalliAGED Introduction Modules Forms Resources for Families Aged Care Journeys in Palliative Care PalliAGEDnurse App Education Videos for Aged Care Workers
Tips for Careworkers:
Constipation

What it is: Constipation occurs when there is limited or difficult passing of hard, dry stools (faeces).
Why it matters: Constipation is common in older adults. However, it is more common in older people with palliative care needs and as a person comes to the end of their life.
Constipation can lead to a person not eating, feeling sick, having pain, or becoming weaker and more unwell. Pain may be severe. Careworkers are likely to notice these changes and can also actively support the older person to manage concerns with constipation.
What I need to know: The Bristol Stool Chart can be used to decide if a person’s stool is normal or not.
Food with increased fluid and fibre may be useful.
Consider the person’s dignity when helping with toileting.
Do
To know what is usual, ask the person or their family how often they usually pass a stool.
Do
Make sure that it is easy and safe for a person to use the toilet – this can mean good lighting, safe bed height, toilet height, and clothing that is easy to wear and remove.
Do
Observe toileting patterns of a person and support them to go to the toilet. Report to nursing/supervisory staff any change in toileting pattern, discomfort, straining, or leakages. Document this accurately in care notes.
My reflections:
When attending to a person’s concerns with constipation what should I consider?
What can I do to make it easier for the older person to use the toilet?
See related palliAGED Practice Tip Sheets:
For references and the latest version of all the Tip Sheets visit
Practice Tip sheets for careworkers
CareSearch is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
Updated April 2026
Page updated 22 July 2026