Constipation is a decrease in the frequency of a person’s bowel movements, a change in the consistency of stools (resulting in small, hard stools), or a difficulty in a person’s ability to pass stools. Constipation is fairly common complaint in older adults, and most people will experience constipation at some point. In many cases it is related to a person’s diet or daily routines, but constipation may also be a sign of a more serious disorder.