Abstract
In recent years,elderly ostomates face increasing problems of self care along with coexisting disease and aging．An investigation was made on 84 ostomates 75 years of age and over in comparison with a control group of less than 75．ltems examined in our stoma clinic included difficulties with defecation method and self care．The older group consisted of 28 people(33.3％)with an average age of 80．ln terms of defecation method,24 persons(85.7％)could defecate naturally,while 4(14.3％)evacuated by the irrigation method．There were 14 aged ostomates unable to perform self care due to decreased physical function and senile dementia,and debilitation from cerebral infarction sequelae and highly progressive cancer.
