Bowel management should be personalised for each individual.
To achieve optimal bowel function, the following factors should be taken into account for each person:
- Type of bowel dysfunction
- Co-morbid pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract
- Medications (and their side-effects)
- Functional ability, particularly mobility, transfers, sitting balance, arm reach and hand function
- Cognitive ability
- Personal factors such as diet, fluid intake, food preferences, activity and exercise patterns, lifestyle, motivation, problem solving skills
- Personal history of bowel management
- Availability of a carer with the required skillset