problems with constipation, should we be concerned?

Hello and welcome to e health forum.

With advancing age as well as long history of diabetes, it is possible that your father may be having autonomic neuropathic changes which may be the cause of reduced bowel motility.

Such issues can cause symptoms like constipation, bloating, and excess abdominal sounds (borborygmi).

The best way to handle such situation is by following a few tips including :-

‎a. Eating more fruits, vegetables and grains, which are high in fiber‎

‎ Foods Rich in SOLUBLE Fiber: Oatmeal or oat bran; Brown rice; Orange, grapefruit, green plantain

‎ Foods that can act as laxatives: Prunes, figs, Psyllium husk, shredded wheat, flaxseed (oil), Senna, ‎‎Cascara sagrada, Aloe vera juice, Dandelion root, Molasses, Liquorice, etc. ‎

‎b. Drinking plenty of water and other liquids‎

‎c. Getting enough exercise, abdominal exercises are best to improve gut motility.‎

‎d. Taking time to have a bowel movement when you need to. Visit the toilet for 15 minutes in the ‎‎morning, even if you are unable to have a bowel movement. This relaxes and stimulates your digestive ‎‎system.‎

‎e. Relaxation and stress management techniques. ‎

‎f. Proper dietary habits, regular meals, not missing meals and breakfast,etc. Sit quietly for 15 minutes ‎‎after eating a meal to aid in digestion.‎

‎g. Cessation of smoking and tobacco use, excess dependence on sodas, colas and caffiene.‎

The above tips will help to improve the bowel motility and relieve your fathers symptoms to some extent.