At this stage, patience is key. Encourage rest, light stretching, and balanced meals. More importantly, offer emotional support rather than pressure. A kind companion by their side can often do as much good as a prescription.
Fatigue is not just physical — it’s emotional too. When an older person feels unneeded or unseen, their energy can fade faster than their strength.
3. Confusion, Forgetfulness, or Emotional Withdrawal
However, emotional withdrawal — a lack of desire to socialize or engage — can be just as concerning. Loneliness is one of the quietest but most damaging forms of distress among older adults.
If your loved one begins retreating into silence, resist the urge to correct or scold. Instead, sit beside them. Ask gentle questions. Let them share stories, even if they repeat them. Compassionate listening can reconnect them to a sense of belonging.
4. Slow-Healing Wounds or Repeated Illness
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