102-year old woman w/constipation

[Guest guest]

Greetings all-

I've a new pt who will turning 102 years old this saturday. Her

niece and a home-health nurse are her main care givers. Her niece

would like advice re: on-going constipation and anemia.

At this stage, what she is looking for is mainly maintaining a good

quality of life. Her aunt is ambulatory and goes to geriatic-day

care 6 times a week (at her request). At this time she has a good

appetite but is quite specific as to what she will and will not eat.

She is lucid but quite hard of hearing AND quite strong-willed.

She has an aversion to water(!), alcohol and tea. Vehicles for herbs

I've come up with are syrups, jello, popsicles(ices)in the summer

and foods that are more bowel-healthy. My understanding is whatever

is suggested will need some imagination as she outright rejects

anything that is not part of her routine. One suggestion that they

think she will comply with is doing hand baths or foot baths (via

Maurice Messegue)but not full baths.

He has a recipe for constipation:

artichoke leaves, chamomile, chicory leaves and roots, cabbage

leaves, mallow flowers, a large grated onion, thyme and violets.

Another of his recipes would smell better (no onion/cabbage)

includes:

anise, sage, chamomile, vervain and basil

Has anyone treated their patients this way? What was the outcome?

Any imaginative ideas?

Many thanks in advance-

MNIMH

VT USA

[Guest guest]

What about simply warm water with lemon juice first thing in the morning?

Maybe add honey or splash in another juice for taste...? Or, what about

those grain based coffee alternatives, that contain roasted chickory and

such?? Any thoughts??

xx Tami

NJ USA

Subject: 102-year old woman w/constipation