Alzheimer's People with Alzheimer's disease may become unable to control bowel movements. They may begin to soil their clothing or bedding. One problem can occur without the other. In either case, incontinence poses special care problems for you, the caregiver. Urinary incontinence is fairly common among patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Bowel incontinence occurs less often.
In fact, many times bowel problems can be avoided altogether by starting the patient on good bowel habits long before any incontinence symptoms occur. Increasing the natural fiber and fluid in the person's diet, encouraging regular bowel habits, and keeping careful track of the person's bowel pattern will all help greatly. If bowel incontinence does occur, it usually comes on later in the course of the illness. Whenever it occurs, the patient may not be aware of the problem at all or may be very upset by it. Causes of bowel incontinence include medical conditions, side effects from drugs, and even severe psychological problems.