Dietary fibre and fluid in the control of constipation in a nursing home population.

A 12-month study showed that constipation in institutionalized elderly patients can be eliminated effectively and safely by the planned use of dietary fibre and a controlled fluid intake. The diet of a group of volunteer nursing home patients (average age, 83.5 years) was supplemented to provide a daily dietary fibre intake of 25 g per person. Aperient use was almost eliminated, bowel function improved, and there appeared to be no adverse effects on body weight, or on nutritional or mineral status.