Constipation is a common complaint in geriatric patients, especially when older people are asked specifically about their bowel habits. It can cause serious complications, such as recurrent urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence, faecal incontinence and even bowel obstruction and perforation. As a result of the tremendous advances in understanding of the epidemiology and pathophysiology of constipation in the older patient, the definition of constipation has changed considerably, leading to the development of new treatment options.