Fatigue and Alzheimer’s: A Common but Overlooked Aspect of the Disease

2024-10-14

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological condition commonly associated with memory loss, cognitive decline, and changes in personality. However, one often overlooked but frequent symptom is fatigue. Fatigue affects both individuals with the disease and their caregivers, adding to the challenges of daily life.

Fatigue as a Symptom of Alzheimer’s

For people with Alzheimer’s, fatigue can appear early in the disease’s progression. The cognitive effort required to remember, navigate, and interact with others can quickly become overwhelming, leading to mental exhaustion. Even simple tasks may feel heavy and difficult to manage. This type of fatigue isn’t always related to lack of sleep; it can occur even after a person has rested well.

Physical and Psychological Factors

Several factors contribute to fatigue in Alzheimer’s patients. Depression, anxiety, and a lack of physical activity are common and can worsen feelings of tiredness. Additionally, sleep disturbances, such as sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome, are frequent and can impact sleep quality. Physical conditions like diabetes, heart problems, or other chronic illnesses, which many elderly individuals with Alzheimer’s may also have, can further exacerbate fatigue.

How to Alleviate Fatigue

Establishing a regular daily routine, balancing sleep, physical activity, and rest, can help reduce fatigue. Some Alzheimer’s patients respond well to short walks or light physical exercise, which can improve both sleep quality and overall energy levels. It’s also important to identify any underlying medical conditions that might be contributing to or worsening fatigue.

The Impact of Fatigue on Caregivers

It’s not just those living with Alzheimer’s who are affected by fatigue. Caregivers, often family members, can also feel exhausted. Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s involves both emotional and physical stress, which can lead to constant feelings of tiredness and burnout. Therefore, it’s essential that caregivers receive support and respite to ensure they too get the rest they need.

Sensorem’s safety alarm has GPS positioning, medication reminders and automatic fall alarm

Sensorem’s personal alarm is an example of a technical aid specially developed for people with dementia. The personal alarm works outdoors and has built-in GPS positioning so that relatives can see the user’s position on a map in the Sensorem app. Relatives are automatically called by the personal alarm (two-way communication) if the user leaves a predetermined geographical area. The personal alarm also has medication reminders, which means that the watch emits a sound and tells the user that it is time to take their medication. The personal alarm can also alert automatically in the event of a fall with the built-in fall sensor.

 

Senior with Sensorem security alarm on the arm. The alarm works outdoors and without home service

 

READ ABOUT HOW SENSOREMS PERSONAL ALARM CAN HELP WITH DEMENTIA