Old age is a physiological period of life in which various changes take place, meaning that the elderly must be given special consideration as a group with regard to health care. Advancing age arising changes in health status and systems adversely affect the quality of life of the elderly and the elderly face many complex health problems. Constipation is one of the common problems in the elderly. Insufficient liquid intake, insufficient or unsuitable diet, decreased mobility, the side effects of medication, underlying diseases, and rectal sensory-motor dysfunction are among the causes of constipation in the elderly. Constipation is a preventable and treatable problem, which if left untreated can cause physical and associated psychological problems such as back and waist pain, rectal pressure, loss of appetite, confusion, incontinence, nausea and vomiting, urinary dysfunction, fissure, rectal prolapse, hemorrhoids, intestinal obstruction, and syncope. Constipation can be managed using pharmacological methods, such as laxatives, enemas, suppositories, along with nonpharmacological procedures, such as changes in nutritional habits, fluid intake, education, activities to develop healthy intestinal habits, exercise, massage, aroma massage, biofeedback, stress management and acupuncture.
Advancing age arising changes in health status and systems adversely affect the quality of life of the elderly and the elderly face many complex health problems. Constipation is one of the common problems in the elderly. Therefore, The aim of this study is to examine effects of aromatherapy massage on constipation in the elderly.