The behavior of playing with feces, also known as coprophagia, can be a distressing and challenging issue for caregivers of individuals with dementia. Understanding the underlying causes and implementing effective management strategies can help mitigate this behavior and improve the quality of life for both the patient and caregiver. This article explores the reasons behind this behavior, along with practical tips for prevention and management.
Christopher Ravn
Key Takeaways
1. Coprophagia and scatolia are challenging behaviors often observed in dementia patients.
2. Underlying causes may include cognitive impairment, sensory changes, and emotional distress.
3. Effective management strategies involve addressing underlying medical conditions, providing emotional support, and implementing environmental modifications.
Table of Contents
1. Why Do Dementia Patients Play With Poop?
2. What Is Scatolia In Elderly People With Dementia?
3. How Can We Address Fecal Smearing And Related Behaviors In Dementia Patients
4. How To Prevent And Manage Poop-Related Incidents In Dementia Patients?
5. What Are Some Other Unusual Behaviors Dementia In Patients?
6. How Can We Address Toilet Problems and Incontinence in Dementia Patients?
7. Frequently Asked Questions About Why Do Dementia Patients Play With Poop?'
Why Do Dementia Patients Play With Poop?
- Cognitive issues that cause disorientation and confusion.
- Changes the way humans look and process sensory information such as smell, touch, and texture, which they may find interesting.
- Reduction in one’s inhibition, which makes them act out and showcase inappropriate or unacceptable characters.
- Changes in environment that cause a patient to feel stressed or disoriented.
- Impairment in verbal and nonverbal communication can cause patients to feel frustrated or depressed. This causes them to express their needs through weird expressions, such as playing with feces.
- Abnormal processing of sensory information and motor responses may cause unusual behaviors.
Medical Explanations
- Damage to the amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex messes up emotions, causing patients to feel anxious, agitated, and have mood swings.
- Atrophy of the anterior temporal lobe and prefrontal cortex can impair understanding and interpretation of social cues.
- Deficit of the prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia may cause issues with planning and impulse control, which affect their decision-making.
- Memory and attention may also change due to changes in the brain. It causes them to behave in ways that cause them to behave erratically.
Case Studies
Coprophagia, also known as playing with feces, is a challenging behavior that is seen in some dementia patients. Though there is still a lot of research needed and the cause of the behavior is not fully understood, let us find out more through a few case studies.
A case of a patient named Amanda Quinn who was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s at 49 had incontinence symptoms. Another case is seen with the elderly, where she had issues playing with her fecal matter.
Coprophagia may also be linked to incontinence, cognitive, or even psychiatric issues. Therefore, caregivers should constantly monitor their loved ones for such behavior and address any medical issues, provide emotional support, and reduce coprophagia issues. (Ata et al., 2010)
What Is Scatolia In Elderly People With Dementia?
Scatolia or fecal smearing is seen in elderly patients with dementia. This behavior is seen when elderly patients smear feces on areas such as floors, furniture, and walls. It is different from other behaviors such as accidental soiling or incontinence. Scatolia is different as it is linked to the manipulation and disposal of feces. It is also different from sensory-seeking behavior as it does not serve a purpose.
- Constipation that is tied to medication, diet, or decreased mobility. Thus, individuals may need to relieve themselves to bowel management to stop scatolia.
- Rectal discomfort or pain caused by fissures or hemorrhoids may cause scatolia to cope with distress.
- Cognitive decline may cause a decline in normal bowel movement, which causes frustration or anxiety.
- Emotional distress may cause depression and agitation, which may exacerbate dementia symptoms.
- Environmental issues such as soiled garments may trigger more scatolia behavior.
Coprophagia And Scatolia In Demented Elderly Residents
Coprophagia is the act of consuming feces and is seen in individuals normally suffering from intellectual disabilities, neurologic disorders, and development issues. As for elderly patients suffering from dementia, coprophagia is normally tied to loss of control, cognition decline, and a change in their sensory issues. However, scatolia is the smearing of feces on oneself and other surfaces. This could be due to anxiety, agitation, or discomfort. The difference between scatolia and coprophagia is the way feces are treated.
An example is an 83-year-old female with Alzheimer’s who was found to have dementia. Another case is a 47-year-old male with depression showing cases of both scatolia and coprophagia.
Brain scans have shown that patients with coprophagia and scatolia are linked with neurodegenerative disease. This is caused by temporal lobe atrophy, causing moderate to severe neurodegeneration in the brain.
How Can We Address Fecal Smearing And Related Behaviors In Dementia Patients
- Have regular cognitive rehabilitation exercises, and emotional, and physical checkups tied to pain, incontinence, sensory issues, emotional distress, and sleep issues.
- Care plans for patients who suffer from fecal smearing issues.
- Provide training for caregivers on managing these behaviors.
- Show empathy and understanding among caregivers.
- Collaborate with healthcare providers to address medical issues and come up with treatment plans.
- Address underlying cognitive and emotional issues through the environment, sensory activities for dementia patients, and behavior therapies.
- Use calming techniques such as redirection and sensory integration to reduce frustration.
- Provide adequate sleep and support.
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How To Prevent And Manage Poop-Related Incidents In Dementia Patients?
- A consistent routine is achieved by taking bathroom breaks every two hours or as needed.
- Ensure that the bathroom is clean and free from clutter.
- Observe the individual’s bathroom behavior to find if there are difficulties, such as feces on the toilet seat.
- Get the healthcare providers to look at the medications, as some might act as diuretics or laxatives.
- Clear pathways and remove any pots or baskets that may be utilized as toilet bowls.
- Staying calm and composed.
- Assist in cleaning up immediately.
- Use soft and gentle language and provide toilet paper to clean themselves.
- Utilize simple commands and review and adjust accordingly to prevent future occurrences.
Long-term Strategies
- Provide caregiver education and support.
- Encourage caregivers to take care of themselves.
- Utilize non-pharmacologic strategies to address behaviors, such as providing identification badges in case patients have issues.
- Use cognitive training to teach and assist patients in visualizing information so that they can reduce behavioral symptoms.
- Offer psychosocial support and cognitive exercises such as brain exercises for seniors to those with mild to moderate dementia.
- Provide medical support, such as addressing their discomfort, pain, and sleep issues.
- Utilize psychological interventions such as persuasive language and addressing triggers and environmental stressors.
What Are Some Toilet Procedures For Dementia Patients?
- Raising the toilet seat to provide autonomy and reduce strain
- Grab bars and toilet handles for stability.
- Toilet paper holders with large holds.
- Bidets as alternative wiping methods
- Portable toilets for those with mobility issues
- Adult diapers for dementia and incontinence
- Creating a regular bathroom break
- Encourage the patient to use the bathroom at the same time.
- Provide visual reminders
- Increase independence in toileting tasks.
- Responding with cues to provide comfort.
- Provide gentle guidance to the bathroom.
- Respect patients dignity.
- Monitor fluid intake and bowel control to help manage patients daytime incontinence.
How Can We Clean Up After Dementia Poop Incidents?
We can clean up after dementia poop incidents by cleaning right after the incident, wearing gloves, a mask, and using cleaning pads and cleaning agents to disinfect the area.
For safety precautions, it is important to avoid using harsh chemicals, handle soiled clothing, make sure that the area is free from clutter and take precautions to avoid exposure to potential allergens.
For support resources, it is best to reach out to the Alzheimer’s Association for emotional guidance and support or consider hiring a professional cleaning service should special cleaning be required.
What Are Some Other Unusual Behaviors Dementia In Patients?
Some of the unusual behaviors in dementia patients may include hoarding, stealing small items such as money or jewelry, excessive eating or drinking, shadowing, repeating certain phrases or sentences, giving out inappropriate comments and having sleep issues.
The root causes of unusual behavior are damage to the brain and changes in hormone levels. It may also be caused by environmental, psychological, and even medical conditions that cause severe pain.
- Modifying the icing spaces or reducing stimulation.
- Provide behavioral therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy.
- Using medications such as antidepressants and antipsychotics
- Obtaining support and education to manage stress.
How Can We Address Toilet Problems and Incontinence in Dementia Patients?
- Provide protective garments such as adult diapers or disposable pants.
- Use products with breathable materials or absorbent layers.
- Establish a consistent routine for meals and toilet.
- Clear clutter in the bathroom and install grab bars and non-slip mats.
- Encourage open and honest communication with the patient, family members, and caregivers.
- Ensure that caregivers provide gentle, respectful, and patient-centered care during toileting activities.
- Conduct thorough assessments to identify underlying causes of incontinence, such as urinary tract infections, constipation, or medication side effects.
- Implement bladder retraining techniques, like prompted voiding, to help patients maintain a regular bathroom schedule and regain control over their bladder function.
- Modify the care environment to promote independence and dignity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Why Do Dementia Patients Play With Poop?'
What Is The Reason Dementia Patients Play With Poop?
- Cognitive issues that cause disorientation and confusion.
- Changes the way humans look and process sensory information such as smell, touch, and texture, which they may find interesting.
- Reduction in one’s inhibition, which makes them act out and showcase inappropriate or unacceptable characters.
- Changes in environment that cause a patient to feel stressed or disoriented.
- Impairment in verbal and nonverbal communication can cause patients to feel frustrated or depressed. This causes them to express their needs through weird expressions, such as playing with feces.
- Abnormal processing of sensory information and motor responses may cause unusual behaviors.
What Is Scatolia In Elderly People With Dementia?
Scatolia or fecal smearing is seen in elderly patients with dementia. This behavior is seen when elderly patients smear feces on areas such as floors, furniture, and walls. It is different from other behaviors such as accidental soiling or incontinence. Scatolia is different as it is linked to the manipulation and disposal of feces. It is also different from sensory-seeking behavior as it does not serve a purpose.
