Haileybury home introduces natural approach to promote regularity
Residents experiencing better ‘quality of life’
Wednesday April 9, 2008 -- Natalie Miller
Residents at a Haileybury long-term care home are experiencing an increased sense of well-being and needing fewer medications courtesy of an addition to their breakfast cereal each morning.

Temiskaming Lodge has introduced the use of flax seed flour to help promote regularity for residents as an alternative to pharmaceutical approaches such as a laxatives and enemas. Six residents are currently
enjoying increased comfort following the introduction of the initiative.

Marie St. George, the food service supervisor, brought the idea back to the home after hearing about it at a North Bay seminar she attended.

"I thought it was such a great idea," says St. George.

"It was a natural way of doing things if you can cut back on the laxatives. I think it enhances quality of life."

Through consultation with the home’s dietitian, Diane Hatt, and support of the nursing department and consultation with residents, families and the home’s physician, the flax seed flour initiative began.

St. George says six residents were selected for an initial trial. The purpose of the project was to reduce the use of laxatives and stool softeners.

Constipation is a significant issue in the long-term care setting, says Temiskaming Lodge. “It negatively affects the quality of life of many of the residents and it involves a high degree of nursing intervention.”

St. George says the nutritional team began adding flax seed flour to residents’ cereal with the amounts and increases as determined by the dietitian. Flax seed flour is a natural laxative, has a nutty flavour and also contains protein and omega 3 fatty acids. The initiative was started Jan. 9 and an evaluation was conducted Feb. 20. The results were impressive, says St. George.

One resident who previously had six laxatives ordered now takes one, another who had three ordered now take ones, one resident who had two ordered now takes zero and two residents who had three ordered now take zero.

St. George says it was not a complicated program to introduce and plans are to extend it beyond the initial six residents. In fact, other residents are asking to participate, she notes.

The home deemed the pilot a success based on a number of other outcomes including the ‘peace of mind’ and increased comfort and agitation for residents. It provides some relief for front-line staff as well, in terms of nurses administering medication and personal support workers attending to needs revolving around bowel care, the home says.

If you would like to learn more about implementing a similar program in your home, contact Temiskaming Lodge at (705) 672-2123.

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