When individuals become more ill, they gradually become less able to do the things they previously did and have less energy.
Things to consider:
- Plan so that the individual has time to rest during the day but also has time to do things they enjoy. Consider creating an accessible timetable.
- Help the individual to be realistic in planning their days/weeks after their diagnosis; they may have been active daily however now the individual may need a rest day in between.
- Explain to friends and family that the individual may not have the energy to do some of the things they enjoyed previously.
- Use imagination and be creative in supporting the individual to maintain social relationships when fatigue prevents them from going out.
- Try to maintain the individual’s usual sleep pattern during the night and wake the same time each day.
- Encourage the individual to participate in some form of exercise.
- Try to keep a steady temperature in the individual’s room.
- Encourage the individual to have supper so a ‘growling tummy’ won’t wake them making sure to follow any guidance related to dysphagia, reflux etc. from speech and language therapy or dietetics.