Feelings of exhaustion can seem like a daily event for a number of us. The alarm goes off too early, the busyness of everyday life is depleting, and by the conclusion of the day, as soon as we can sink into bed, it is often hard to shut down our minds to achieve a restful night’s sleep. Nevertheless, as soon as we do get a full night’s sleep, we wake up feeling rejuvenated and ready to take on the world.
For older adults, however, there are various factors that can lead to severe fatigue – a condition which isn’t as easily remedied. As March is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Month, the senior care professionals at Grace Home Care have the details you need to understand chronic fatigue in seniors, in order to help manage it.
Causes of Chronic Fatigue
- A range of health concerns, such as cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, COPD, kidney and liver disease
- Prescription side effects, including from antihistamines, antidepressants, and pain or nausea meds
- Medical treatments, such as surgical procedures and recovery, chemotherapy, and radiation
- Sleep apnea as well as other sleep difficulties
- Anemia
- Infections
- Emotional challenges, like those experienced in depression and anxiety
- Grief
- Thoughts and feelings of despondency or loss of control in life
- Financial or personal stress
- Unhealthy eating and exercise habits
- And many others
Oftentimes, a doctor can address the underlying factors behind severe fatigue, so it’s smart to schedule a checkup and consultation if an older adult you love is having difficulties with any of the issues above.
Simple Tips to Help
In addition, the following tips can help with fatigue:
- Maintain a diary that details when the older adult feels most energized, and most tired.
- Provide more physical activity in the older adult’s daily life. (Be sure to get authorization from her or his doctor before starting or altering any exercise programs.)
- Change sleeping habits to remove naps longer than half an hour, and particularly napping during the late afternoon/early evening, to allow for better sleep throughout the night.
- Quit – or never start – smoking, which is proven to result in many health problems that can drain energy.
- Encourage your older loved one to talk with a professional counselor, to tackle and sort out stress, anxiety, depression, or any other emotional difficulties.
- Allow plenty of time for fun! Laughter is an excellent, natural, energy and mood booster.
- Schedule set times every day for relaxation – listening to peaceful music, reading, meditation or prayer, or enjoying a favorite soothing hobby, such as knitting or working on puzzles.
Grace Home Care is always available to provide further strategies to beat fatigue in order to make life more fun for older adults throughout Topeka. Call us at 785-286-2273 to request a complimentary in-home consultation and to find out more about our compassionate caregivers and our top-rated senior care in Topeka, KS and the surrounding communities.