Fecal Incontinence: What Helps, What Doesn't

At some point, both urinary and fecal (bowel) incontinence affect most people with dementia as brain-body communications deteriorate. Diet can influence the types of stools you have to deal with.

Foods that add to the problem (by relaxing the anal sphincter or irritating the bowels):

• Coffee

• Tea

• Chocolate

• Cured or smoked meat

• Spicy foods

• Ice cream

• Milk

• Fatty or greasy foods

• Fruit

Foods that help (by bulking stool and being soft and easy to consume):

• Bananas

• Rice

• Tapioca

• Applesauce

• Yogurt

• Oatmeal