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Visiting Agrace:

Visitors must self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms and sign in at the reception desk before they can visit Agrace’s hospice inpatient units and other areas of our buildings.
Masks are recommended while at Agrace and will be available at the reception desk. Visitors are not required to wear masks in patient rooms unless it’s the patient’s request or signage on the patient room door indicates otherwise.

If you have any questions before visiting Agrace, please call (800) 553-4289

Home » Find Care » Care Tips for Families » Fatigue

Fatigue

Feeling fatigued is normal during a serious illness and at the end of life. Learn more about how to conserve your energy.

What is Fatigue?

Fatigue is a feeling of being exhausted or not having much energy. It is normal during a serious illness and at the end of life. Fatigue may be caused by medications, eating and drinking less, changes your body is going through, or severe anxiety, depression or grief. Severe fatigue does not get better with rest.

Symptoms of Fatigue

pensive woman looking out window iStock-1286681860.jpeg What are some symptoms of fatigue?

Being unable to concentrate on things that are important to you
Feeling sleepy or very tired, even after resting
Talking or interacting less
Feeling depressed

How to Boost or Conserve Energy

What can help you conserve or boost your energy? Click “+” to expand each section and read more.

Watch for patterns.

Keep track of which time of day you have more energy, and plan activities around it.
Cancel or push back activities that aren’t important right now.

Manage the space around you.

Change your scenery; staying in the same place all day can be boring.
Use sunlight or another light source to feel energized.
Rearrange your space to make things easier to get to; move the phone closer or move the chair or bed near the bathroom.

Get better sleep.

Listen to your body; it is OK to rest as needed!
Try to stick to a regular bedtime and waking time.
Try to get continuous (uninterrupted) hours of sleep or rest.
Plan rest times or naps during the late morning and mid-afternoon.
Avoid sleeping in the late afternoon or evening, which could interrupt nighttime sleep.

Eat for energy.

Try high-protein, nutrient-rich foods like protein smoothies.
Keep favorite meals and snacks on hand.
Try small, frequent meals.
Agrace hospice patients: Ask your Agrace team about using medications to boost your appetite.

When should you contact Agrace?

Agrace Hospice Care patients, your care team wants to know how fatigue is affecting you. Talk to us about your worries, and contact us if you have these concerns:

Fatigue makes it hard to do or enjoy things that are important to you.
You have difficulty breathing, pain or constipation—all of which can make your body feel fatigued.
You feel anxious or depressed because you are exhausted.

If you’re not in hospice care, contact your primary health care provider anytime you have questions or concerns about fatigue.

Hospice Caregiver Support

If you need help urgently for an Agrace Hospice Care patient, please call. Otherwise, email us directly at caregiversupport@agrace.org, or send your questions through our online contact form.

Call (800) 553-4289

Call to talk to an interpreter / Tenemos intérpretes disponibles: (800) 930-2770

More Care Tips for Families

For more expert advice from Agrace, visit Agrace.org/CareTips.

(800) 553-4289

Fatigue

What is Fatigue?

Symptoms of Fatigue

How to Boost or Conserve Energy

Watch for patterns.

Manage the space around you.

Get better sleep.

Eat for energy.

When should you contact Agrace?

Hospice Caregiver Support

(800) 553-4289

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