6 Tips to Reduce Fatigue in Dementia

People living with dementia get tired very easily and this is more of a mental/cognitive fatigue than it is a physical one. But, as the dementia progresses and depending on your partner’s age, it can be both.

Here are 6 quick tips to help reduce your partner’s fatigue:

1. Make sure they get a little sunshine (at least 5-15 minutes, 2-3x/week)

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2. Schedule appointments, outings, and visitations at your partner’s “best time of day” (this is often the morning for many people)

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3. Plan activities that are shorter in duration ("shorter" will vary for everyone — be sure to pay attention to your partner's body language and behavior)

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4. Allow your partner quiet time and/or a nap (naps should not exceed more than 90 minutes)

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5. Encourage a balanced diet (sugary foods and vitamin deficiencies can make people tire easily)

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6. Adopt and implement a bedtime routine (there should be a predictable "wind down" to the day")

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