Bowel Care

Carers can help with a wide variety of tasks, depending on your needs and preferences. This may include supporting you to transfer safely to the toilet, assisting with clothing, cleaning the toilet and surrounding area if needed, and providing gentle help with washing and drying afterwards. We can also support with changing pads or continence products, emptying or changing stoma bags as per your agreed plan, and checking for any signs of skin soreness. Many people choose to combine bowel care with wider help such as washing or showering, laundry and bedding changes, or meal preparation, so that everything is taken care of in one visit.

What you eat and drink has a big impact on how your bowels behave. For many people, staying well-hydrated and eating enough fibre helps prevent constipation, while others with specific conditions may need a modified diet. Some foods can trigger bloating, cramps, or diarrhoea, so keeping a simple food and symptom diary can be useful. Our carers can support you to follow the advice of your GP or dietitian, encourage regular drinks, and help prepare suitable meals or snacks. Through our meal preparation support, we can also help you shop for and cook foods that are easier to digest, while watching for any patterns that may need discussion with a health professional.

Yes, with an appropriate care plan in place, we can support many aspects of stoma or colostomy care at home. This might include helping you gather equipment, providing assistance while you change or empty the bag, supporting with skin care around the stoma, and ensuring everything is disposed of discreetly and hygienically. We’ll always follow the instructions provided by your stoma nurse or clinical team and work at the level of support you want — some people need full assistance, while others prefer someone nearby for reassurance. Our colostomy and stoma-related support can be combined with bowel routine help, bowel cancer care, or wider condition-led care where needed.

With the right guidance and support, many aspects of bowel care can be managed very safely at home. A key starting point is a thorough assessment and clear care plan agreed with healthcare professionals. This should outline any prescribed bowel routines, medicines, or specific techniques that must be followed. Our carers are trained to work within those instructions and to monitor for signs that a GP or nurse should be contacted, such as persistent constipation, sudden diarrhoea, bleeding, or severe pain. Home can actually be the safest and most reassuring place for many people, because they are in a familiar environment with their own bathroom and routine. Where needs become more complex, we’ll always encourage medical review and can adapt our support as things change.

Our visits are designed to fit your life rather than the other way round. Some people need short, frequent calls throughout the day to support toileting and continence product changes. Others prefer longer visits that combine bowel care with washing, dressing, meals, and light housework. We can also offer early morning or late evening support and, where appropriate, night-time visits. As your needs change — for example, after a hospital stay or if symptoms improve — we can review and adjust the schedule. The aim is always to create a pattern of support that feels sustainable, dignified, and reassuring for you and your family.

While many bowel changes are minor and short-lived, some signs always warrant prompt medical advice. You should contact a healthcare professional urgently if there is unexplained blood in your poo, a sudden change from your usual pattern that persists, severe or worsening abdominal pain, vomiting, or an inability to pass stool or gas. Unexplained weight loss, extreme tiredness, or a feeling that your bowel never fully empties are also red flags. For people using laxatives or other bowel medicines, severe diarrhoea or dehydration symptoms need attention. Our carers are not medical practitioners, but they are trained to notice concerning changes, encourage you to speak to your GP or nurse, and, if you wish, help you track symptoms to share at appointments.

Yes, bowel issues often affect sleep, and we understand that nights can be particularly challenging. We offer flexible overnight care where a carer is present to help with toileting, pad changes, or bathroom trips, reducing the risk of falls and giving reassurance. Some people need only occasional overnight support during a flare-up or while recovering from surgery, while others benefit from ongoing night-time help. Overnight care can also be a vital break for family members who have been getting up multiple times a night. We’ll work with you to decide whether a waking night or a sleep-in arrangement is most appropriate, based on safety, frequency of support, and your preferences.

Many different people can benefit from bowel care support at home. Some have long-term conditions such as bowel cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, dementia, or spinal cord injury. Others may be recovering from surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or a serious infection. Older adults often experience constipation, reduced mobility, or continence changes that make getting to the toilet harder. People with learning disabilities or mental health needs may also need help to follow routines or communicate discomfort. Sometimes, family members are providing most of the care but want professional support with intimate tasks, or just need a break. Whatever the reason, our aim is to make bowel care safer, more comfortable, and less stressful for everyone involved.

Protecting dignity is central to how we work. Before any support starts, we’ll talk with you about what you feel comfortable with and how you would like things to be done. That might include preferences about language, who is in the room, or whether you prefer a male or female carer where possible. During visits, we use towels, robes, or blankets to keep you covered as much as we can, and we always knock and explain what we’re doing before we do it. We never rush, and our carers are trained to be calm, matter-of-fact, and discreet, recognising that bowel care is a normal part of health, not something to be ashamed of. Our goal is to help you feel respected and in control every step of the way.

We proudly provide high-quality home care across the East Midlands, in an around the towns and cities detailed below.