Over 65

Elderly people with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis, and some debilitated older people recovering from surgery, may be functionally restricted. They may need help to move around house, get upstairs, get on and off the toilet and help with personal hygiene, dressing and bathing. They may also need help with using pads and waterproof pants to control faecal incontinence if diarrhoea is persistent, or limited mobility slows down access to the toilet. Elderly people may take longer, up to several months, to learn to manage an ileostomy. Problems with manual dexterity, visual impairment or dementia might lead a long-term need for help with ileostomy care. Frail elderly ,especially if underweight or subject to poor nutrition, may have a much longer requirement for self-care, assistance with medication, encouragement to maintain adequate nutrition and fluid intake, and may also be prone to falls.

Amended April 2008