Regular bowel elimination is essential for good health. The bowel elimination process, however, may work normally for some people but poorly for others. As the body ages, some of the physical and psychological changes that take place can negatively affect the bowel elimination process. Although problems with bowel elimination are common among the elderly, it is preventable. As a caregiver, you can help to identify and prevent constipation and fecal impaction. You can accomplish this task by knowing the elimination needs and patterns of those you care for and by following guidelines for the promotion of normal bowel elimination. In this course, you will learn what constipation and fecal impaction are, how to prevent constipation, and what factors cause the overuse of laxatives.