My mother is 98 and lives in a level 2 assisted living facility. She has a bowel incontinent episode every morning at breakfast. Any ideas?

My mom always had bowel issues, and just as an aside, I believe it was from an addiction to a anti-diarrheal medication called “Lomotil” which was an opiate. But if your mom is being given anything that might interfer with her bowels, that could be doing it. From my experience, stool softeners like Colace are given as a matter of course. They usually give them at night. Also, Mom’s digestive abilities kind of took a nosedive in her later years. She couldn’t handle things like bacon, sausage or sometime eggs. Oatmeal was a disaster. Morning is a very busy time at facilities, but to avoid a clean-up your mom should be given a few minutes in the bathroom.

Is there some reason that staff can't assist her to the bathroom every day at that time? What if they took her to the bathroom before breakfast every morning? I'd discuss it with the staff to come up with a solution. I'd inquire if they think this might be the beginning of incontinence for her.

I am surprised the staff hasn't figured this out. To potty her right before they take her in. My Mom it was about 4pm but the aides never seemed to pick up on it. But my daughter would say that mornings are hectic for aides. They have to get all the residents up, dressed and out for breakfast. I would mention it to the nurse and see what they can do. It just might be her time of day.