While it’s common to develop some fatigue with age, if you’re seeing sudden or severe exhaustion, see a doctor to rule out an underlying medical cause.

If you or your aging parent suddenly can’t get out of bed or you notice unusual fatigue, it may not be just about “getting older.”

Keep reading to discover what might be causing extreme fatigue in older age, from health conditions and mental health challenges to daily habits that might be sapping strength. You’ll also find practical ways you can help reduce or prevent this exhaustion.

Research from 2025 suggests that around 42.6% of older adults experience physical fatigue, and about 58.2% and 24% of older adults are susceptible to developing physical and mental fatigue, respectively.

Fatigue tends to be more common as you age, peaking for people in their 90s. It’s important to understand that fatigue is not the same as just being tired. Unlike drowsiness, which might be solved with a nap, fatigue empties your reserves.

Sometimes, fatigue can be tied to medical conditions or lifestyle factors such as not getting enough exercise, drinking too much alcohol or coffee, smoking, or not getting enough sleep. However, not always. Sometimes, it’s referred to as idiopathic fatigue and may be associated with the aging brain having to work harder to complete everyday tasks.

That said, a number of underlying medical causes can also cause fatigue in older age, including:

Mental health causes

In addition, it’s possible to experience fatigue if you or your loved one is living with dementia, as well as mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.

Living in isolation and loneliness increases the chance of developing such conditions. In fact, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 14% of adults over 60 live with a mental health condition.

Mental health-related fatigue can become more acute if you are unaware you have these conditions and the symptoms are unmanaged, or if you need to adjust your treatment.

Fatigue and safety

If you or your older loved one is experiencing fatigue, it’s especially important to be cautious when doing things that require full attention, like driving.

Keep an eye out for signs, such as losing focus, feeling sleepy, daydreaming, or feeling cranky, and always pull over or allow another person to take over.

Fatigue can develop gradually, but it’s a good idea to see a doctor if it lasts, or if someone has mentioned that you make gasping, snorting, or choking sounds while you sleep.

Also, see a doctor immediately if you notice other symptoms that appear suddenly alongside exhaustion. These include:

Fatigue and elder abuse

Fatigue on its own can have many causes. But when you notice it in a loved one alongside other signs, it could be associated with elder abuse.

This is more likely to be the case if they are being cared for by someone other than you. Signs to watch out for, along with fatigue, include:

  • unexplained injuries or physical marks
  • sudden uptick in mental health symptoms
  • increase in preventable bedsores
  • your loved one being frequently left alone
  • changes in their spending

If you’re not sure what’s causing your fatigue or your loved one, it’s important to be checked by a doctor. If the cause is a medical condition you’re not aware of, it’s important to get a diagnosis so you can get the right treatment.

That said, if there’s no underlying medical cause, you can try some of the following tips to help reduce fatigue in older age:

  • Get moving: Try to exercise for at least 150 minutes a week, incorporating aerobic, strength, and balance exercises. Even taking walks can count.
  • Take short naps: Limit naps to under 30 minutes, as longer naps can worsen fatigue.
  • Quit smoking and drinking: Both smoking and consuming alcohol are linked with various medical issues that can worsen fatigue.
  • Eat a balanced diet: Limit ultra-processed foods, and try to fill half of every plate with vegetables. Split the other half between nutritious protein and grains.
  • Do fun things: To avoid loneliness and boredom, engage in activities you enjoy that involve other people. Examples include joining a book club or exercise class, going to the theater, or developing a hobby.

Fatigue differs from ordinary tiredness. While a brief rest might alleviate drowsiness, genuine fatigue depletes one’s entire energy reservoir.

Age-related exhaustion may stem from various health conditions or lifestyle factors, but sometimes no clear cause exists. Researchers term this idiopathic fatigue, associating it with an aging brain expending more effort on routine physical and cognitive functions.

That said, any immediate or intense exhaustion warrants medical consultation to exclude other underlying causes. If there’s no underlying cause, you can adopt strategies to help you enhance your health and combat fatigue as you grow older.