According to the American Geriatric Society, nearly a third of people age 51 and over experience fatigue. Maybe you belong to that group. If so, getting past your fatigue will first require understanding where it comes from. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about both how fatigue affects older adults and how it can be treated.
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Everyone gets tired at the end of the day. However, most people wake up feeling refreshed and energized in the morning. If you’re an older adult who doesn’t feel that way, then you may be experiencing a kind of fatigue.
Fatigue has many different causes. For example, you may feel it if you stay up too late, drink too much caffeine, or eat an excessive amount of junk food. Similarly, fatigue can also be caused by getting both too little and too much exercise. These causes of fatigue are simple enough to address on your own.
However, fatigue can also be a sign of a more serious health issue. It’s a common symptom for individuals suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and cancer. It can also be caused by emotional stressors like anxiety, depression, and grief. Or, it’s possible that a medication you take for depression, allergies, or pain could be causing your fatigue.
As detailed in the previous section, there are quite a number of reasons why you could be feeling fatigued. Because of that, you should probably see a doctor to make sure you know exactly where your fatigue is coming from. A physician can verify whether you need to change medications or go in for testing for a more serious health issue.
That being said, there are some steps you can take to address your fatigue at home. Try getting more exercise, avoiding long naps late in the day, and quitting smoking. Each of these can help you feel more energetic throughout the day.
You may also want to try keeping a fatigue journal. In it, write down how tired you’re feeling at various points in the day along with information about what you’re eating and doing during those times. This can help you identify patterns that may illuminate the causes of your fatigue, making them easier to solve.
The best strategy for solving your fatigue is to visit a doctor. If you’re ready for that now, you may be curious about whether your Medicare health insurance will cover the visit. Your specific coverage options will vary based on the kind of Medicare coverage you have. For example, individuals with Medicare Part B receive one free wellness visit every 12 months. This could be the perfect opportunity to discuss your fatigue symptoms with a physician who can help.
If you’re unsure about whether your Medicare health insurance covers fatigue, consider reaching out to Time For 65. We’re the Medicare experts who can help you figure out your coverage options. You can reach us fill out this form or give us a call. We look forward to hearing from you.
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