Chronic fatigue syndrome is common in older adults and is due to several causes that can be addressed by a physician.
Feelings of exhaustion may seem as though they are a regular occurrence for a few us. The alarm goes off too early, the busyness of everyday life is exhausting, and by the end of the day, when we can once and for all sink into bed, it is often not easy to stop our thoughts to get a restful night’s sleep. Nevertheless, once we do get a good night’s sleep, we wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world.
For the elderly, however, there are lots of factors that could lead to chronic fatigue – a condition which is not as easily remedied. As March is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Month, the home health professionals at Live Free Home Health Care have the facts you need to know to understand chronic fatigue in seniors, and to help overcome it.
Factors Behind Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- A range of health conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, COPD, kidney and liver disease
- Medication side effects, such as from antihistamines, antidepressants, and pain or nausea meds
- Medical treatments, such as surgery and recovery, chemotherapy, and radiation
- Sleep apnea as well as other sleep difficulties
- Anemia
- Infections
- Mental health challenges, such as those experienced in depression and anxiety
- Grief
- Feelings of despondency or loss of control in life
- Monetary or personal stress
- Unhealthy eating and exercise habits
- And numerous others
Most of the time, the doctor can address the underlying reasons for chronic fatigue, so it’s best to schedule a checkup and consultation if an older adult you love is having difficulties with any of the issues above.
Tips to Help
Additionally, the following tips can help with conquering chronic fatigue:
- Keep a journal that details when the older adult feels most productive, and most fatigued.
- Include more physical activity in the senior’s daily routine. (Be sure to get authorization from her or his doctor before beginning or modifying any exercise programs.)
- Modify sleeping habits to remove naps longer than thirty minutes, and particularly napping in the late afternoon/early evening, to allow for improved sleep at night.
- Quit – or never start – smoking, which is proven to bring on a great number of health problems that can drain energy.
- Encourage your older family member to talk to a professional therapist, to tackle and deal with stress, anxiety, depression, or any other emotional difficulties.
- Allow plenty of time for fun! Laughter is a fantastic, natural, energy and mood booster.
- Schedule specific times every day for relaxing – listening to soft music, reading, meditation or prayer, or enjoying a favorite soothing hobby, such as knitting or working on puzzles.
Live Free Home Health Care is always available to offer further strategies to beat fatigue and to make life more fun for older adults. Contact the experts in home care services in Bristol at 603-217-0149 to ask about a free in-home consultation and to learn more about our top-rated home care services in Bristol and the surrounding areas.