Lifestyle changes can help combat extreme fatigue symptoms in older adults.
Feelings of exhaustion may seem to be an everyday event for some of us. The alarm goes off too early, the demands of everyday life are draining, and by the conclusion of the day, as soon as we can eventually sink into bed, it can be hard to shut down our minds to obtain a restful night’s sleep. Nonetheless, as soon as we do obtain a good night’s sleep, we awake feeling refreshed and able to take on the world.
For senior loved ones, however, there are lots of factors that can lead to chronic fatigue – a condition that is not as easily remedied. As March is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Month, our Barrington caregivers at Inspired Home Care have the facts you need to know to understand extreme fatigue symptoms in seniors, in order to help manage them.
Causes of Chronic Fatigue
- A range of medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, COPD, kidney and liver disease
- Medication side effects, including from antihistamines, antidepressants, and pain or nausea medications
- 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
- Feelings of despondency or lack of control in life
- Financial or personal stress
- Unhealthy eating and exercise habits
- And numerous others
Oftentimes, a doctor can address the underlying causes of chronic fatigue, so it’s a wise idea to schedule a checkup and consultation if an older adult you love is struggling with any of the issues above.
Simple Tips to Help
In addition, the following tips can help conquer extreme fatigue symptoms in seniors:
- Keep a journal that details when the senior feels most productive, and most lethargic.
- Provide more physical activity in the older adult’s day-to-day routine. (Be sure to get authorization from his or her physician before starting or modifying any exercise programs.)
- Modify sleeping habits to eliminate naps more than half an hour, and particularly napping in the late afternoon/early evening, to allow for improved sleep at nighttime.
- Quit – or never start – smoking, which is proven to cause a wide variety of health concerns that can drain energy.
- Encourage your older loved one to speak to a knowledgeable counselor, to address and work through stress, anxiety, depression, or other emotional difficulties.
- Allow plenty of time for fun! Laughter is a fantastic, natural, energy and mood booster.
- Schedule set times every day for relaxation – listening to soft music, reading, meditation or prayer, or enjoying a favorite soothing hobby, such as knitting or working on puzzles.
The professional Barrington caregivers at Inspired Home Care are always here to provide additional strategies to beat fatigue and to make life more fun for older adults. Give us a call at 847-787-7572 to request a free in-home consultation and to find out more about our top-rated Barrington home care and the surrounding communities.