Unfortunately the bowel, like all muscles atrophy as you age, so many seniors have bowel problems without all these other complicating issues. The only way to work the bowel muscles is through fiber (high soluable fiber foods best) which stretches the bowel and then it has to push it...like resistant training exercises at the gym lol. But I also found not sitting for very long, daily walks/stretch, loose clothing on abdomen, deep breathing/gentle pressure for pain, chew food completely to pulp (no hard pieces) etc etc helps. Also you may have developed different food intolerances due to bowel misfunction. I have been off dairy and gluten for over 30 years. I had actually developed a milk protein allergy at 30 yrs old. Allergist was stunned.