The doctor seems to think that the problem is probably due to his bowels needing to be fully emptied. Once upon a time we had this constipation issue under control but Mom decided he needed to stop going so much (a bit too loose at times) so she started taking the probiotics out of the pill boxes that I make up for him. So he got back into a routine of going every 3 or 4 days.
Yes, being a caregiver can be a bit like beating ones head against the wall at times.
The doctor also said that the hallucinations can be from dehyrdation. Yes, we already knew that and we constantly push fluids on him...and Mom constantly complains that he doesn't need to drink so much because it makes him pee.
Pee is not a problem for us but it for her. So we just push the fluids and ignore the rest. The doctor did say that this hydration thing can get complicated...because too much fluid can be bad for the heart, too little fluid for the kidneys is bad; they call this Cardiorenal Syndrome.
The doc did do some blood work to check the electrolytes, thyroid, etc. Dad seemed much happier and content after coming home from visiting his doctor.