Does arthritis make you tired?

Tiredness in older adults with arthritis

Arthritis is known to cause symptoms such as joint pain and stiffness, but it can also lead to a number of other symptoms which are not as commonly discussed, such as fatigue. Here, we are taking a closer look at how arthritis causes fatigue, its impact on daily life, the emotional toll this can take, strategies to effectively manage arthritis-related fatigue, advice for family caregivers looking after a loved one with arthritis, and how home care can help those suffering from fatigue. At Home Instead, our aim is to help people age positively and in place by bringing expert care to their home. For nearly 20 years, we have been providing the highest standard of care, and creating industry-leading training programmes for our Care Professionals that are accredited by nursing and medical professionals. Today, we are the world’s largest global domiciliary care network, supporting over 100,000 older adults with personalised, tailored care at home. So whatever questions you have about arthritis symptoms, we can help.

Can arthritis cause fatigue? 

Yes, fatigue is a common symptom experienced by people with arthritis, and this is primarily found in those with rheumatoid arthritis. A 2022 study found over 70% of people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis will experience fatigue that feels similar to chronic fatigue syndrome most of the time. This can be the case due to a number of potential causes:  

1. Inflammation – People with arthritis often experience chronic inflammation which can trigger the body’s immune system to stay active more than it would for other people. This can lead to feelings of exhaustion as the constant fight against inflammation can deplete energy levels. For those with types of arthritis that cause inflammation, this can be one of the main reasons for the fatigue they experience, such as rheumatoid arthritis, or psoriatic arthritis. One study found that severe fatigue significantly affected around 28% of those with psoriatic arthritis.
2. Sleep issues – The pain and discomfort caused by joint inflammation can disrupt sleep, which can worsen fatigue. Although this can contribute to tiredness, it is not thought to be the primary cause of fatigue, with one 2019 study on the predictors of fatigue in arthritis patients finding that – despite the assumed correlation – fatigue in arthritis is not thought to be caused by sleep issues alone, as these are an independent issue. 
3. Emotional distress – Arthritis can lead to feelings of frustration and sadness at how it can impact daily life, and this emotional stress can be difficult to tackle. Conditions such as depression and anxiety have been associated with fatigue, so when arthritis causes mental health issues like these to build up, this can contribute to fatigue. 
4. Medications – Some arthritis medications used to manage the pain or inflammation from arthritis can cause certain side effects, which include fatigue and drowsiness. This can be difficult to manage, as some people will need to take the arthritis medications in order to manage some of the other symptoms, but could be affected by fatigue. If this is the case for you, it is important to consult your GP to find out if medication adjustments can be made. 
5. Anaemia – Arthritis-related anaemia can be a common symptom in itself, or can also be a side effect of certain arthritis medications. This means there is a lack of red blood cells delivering oxygen around the body due to an iron deficiency, causing feelings of tiredness and low energy levels. 

You may find more information in our guide to living with arthritis.

How can an older person manage arthritis-related fatigue? 

Strategies for managing the fatigue that often comes with arthritis involve a number of lifestyle adjustments, self-care activities, and, if necessary, medications or other medical treatments. It usually helps to speak to your GP first in order to make sure any medications you are taking for arthritis are not the cause of your fatigue, and to find out if any other treatment options could have a positive effect on this symptom, such as:

• Medications to minimise pain, swelling and inflammation. These might include NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to manage pain, corticosteroids to relieve severe inflammation, DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs) to slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis, and more. 
• Advice on how to maintain a healthy weight in order to reduce stress on arthritic joints. It is important not to overload joints, so if applicable, your doctor may be able to give you weight management strategies in order to relieve strain on joints.
• Physical therapy to improve joint function, strength and mobility. This can improve any pain and discomfort on joints, so your doctor could refer you to a physical therapist who can recommend tailored exercises and techniques to target the affected areas.

Other lifestyle adjustments can be made to help manage symptoms and have a positive impact on the fatigue associated with arthritis, including: 

• Getting plenty of rest – It is important to balance activities and rest when living with arthritis, in order to preserve energy where possible and plan in advance if you are likely to experience fatigue. 
• Gentle exercise – For older adults, low-impact exercises such as walking or swimming could help. Reviews of the availableresearchon types of exercise have found physical activity can help reduce fatigue, with further studies showing exercise is an important part of arthritis care as it can relieve fatigue by keeping joints flexible, support the surrounding muscles, and act directly on the nervous system. You can learn more in our guide to fitness and exercise for older adults.
• Eat a balanced diet – Eating a healthy diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods, omega-3 fatty acids, fruits, vegetables and whole grains can support your overall energy levels and reduce inflammation, which can have a positive impact on your fatigue symptoms when living with arthritis. You may find more helpful information in our guide to what foods older adults should avoid.
• Improve your sleep hygiene – Around 80% of those with arthritis are thought to have trouble sleeping, so getting as much sleep as possible is important if you regularly suffer from fatigue. Focus on improving sleep hygiene by maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and creating a comfortable sleep environment. You can find more tips for improving sleep in our guide to healthy sleep and insomnia in older adults.
• Manage your stress levels – Relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing can help to reduce fatigue caused by both emotional distress and physical strain, and help manage symptoms of arthritis. 
• Use assistive devices and home adaptations – You could conserve your energy through the use of assistive devices like braces, orthotics, mobility aids and more, as well as home adaptations like grab rails and ramps, in order to ease stress on joints when moving around, and help you avoid overexertion to preserve the energy you have and expend it when you need to most. 
• Learn your own patterns of fatigue – Becoming more familiar with how your fatigue usually manifests (such as times of the day, after certain activities, etc.) can help you design your own practical ways of dealing with this symptom, like taking regular breaks, saying “no” to activities you don’t want to do that will lead to fatigue, not planning too much in one day, adapting your idea of success and productivity to fit your abilities, planning activities ahead of time, and more. 

According to Versus Arthritis, managing arthritis-related fatigue involves problem solving to find ways around it, planning ahead to ensure you achieve everything you need to, prioritising where you expend energy, and pacing yourself so you do not become tired too quickly. These lifestyle adjustments can take a while to get used to, but if you are living with arthritis you may find they help you to maintain more of your usual activities and feel better about your symptoms.

Where can families turn for support when caring for an older loved one with arthritis? 

If you are looking after a loved one who is living with severe fatigue due to an arthritis diagnosis, you can access support from various sources that could help you make this easier on both them and you. The NHS provides medical advice for those with arthritis or those caring for a family member. Speaking to the person’s GP is often the best way to access this advice. They can discuss their needs and, if applicable, refer them to a rheumatologist, physiotherapist, or someone else who can help to manage their symptoms long-term. You may also find helpful advice through charities like Arthritis Action and Versus Arthritis, which have a wealth of resources, support groups and helplines to guide you through managing the condition. 

• Age UK can offer information on arthritis and the financial support that may be available if you or a loved one you are caring for lives with arthritis. You can find out more on their website. 
• Arthritis Action provides information on living well with arthritis, as well as resources such as cost of living support. You can find out more on their website. 
• Versus Arthritis provides many online resources and a dedicated helpline for those living with arthritis. You can learn more on their website, or call their helpline on: 0800 5200 520 (lines open Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm).
• Carers Trust offers help to unpaid carers, and may be able to support you if you are looking after a loved one with arthritis. You can find out more on their website. 

Recognising arthritis-related fatigue in an older loved one is important so you can take steps to help maintain or improve their physical and emotional health. You may find more useful information in our guide to disability care for older people at home.Fatigue can worsen pain, limit mobility and lead to frustration or even depression, so acknowledging their exhaustion can help to validate their feelings and show them they have a support system to lean on. Try to listen without judgement, offer encouragement, and adjust your expectations around their abilities. Creating a supportive, understanding environment can foster connection and help your loved one feel less isolated when managing their arthritis.Remember, caring for a loved one can be challenging, and you can gain support through respite care if needed. You can learn more about this in our guide to what respite care is. 

Can home care support those with arthritis? 

Older adults who living with arthritis-related fatigue may require support from loved ones, or from professional home carers who can offer practical assistance with daily activities, encouragement with lifestyle adjustments, and emotional support if fatigue causes them frustration and or loneliness. This kind of expert, tailored assistance can make daily tasks safer, more enjoyable, and less of a challenge when dealing with pain, stiffness and reduced mobility. Caregivers may be able to help with activities that can be difficult when fatigue takes hold, such as:

• Personal care – This might involve bathing, dressing and general hygiene which could be more dangerous when tired 
• Home support – From lifting heavy objects to bringing in the mail, a caregiver can take on tasks around the house to ensure the person does not tire themselves out 
• Household chores – This might involve housekeeping tasks like cooking, cleaning and shopping for groceries, all of which can be energy-draining activities 
• Medication management – Arthritis usually involves some form of medication, so help to manage this can be useful if there are many medications to take for symptoms like pain and inflammation, as well as fatigue. You may find more information in our guide to easier medication management using blister packs.
• Moving and handling – Moving a person with arthritis-related mobility issues can be challenging and dangerous for them and for the person moving them, so certain practices should be adhered to in order to keep this safe for everyone involved 
• Mobility support – This could mean help with walking or using assistive devices in order to improve independence

Our Care Professionals can help to monitor patterns of fatigue in older adults, and adapt daily routines accordingly. By identifying when support is most needed, they can assist by:

• Encouraging energy conservation techniques throughout the day
• Stepping in when fatigue becomes overwhelming
• Coordinating with GPs, physiotherapists or occupational therapists to ensure changes are quickly addressed, like fatigue levels, mobility, or medication side effects
• Providing general advice on home adaptations
• Advising on local authority services and funding for larger adjustments
• Providing companionship and emotional support to give people with arthritis a place to talk about how they feel, which can enhance their overall wellbeing
• Offering live-in support if more regular assistance is needed, by ensuring there is always someone around to help  

If you feel you or a loved one could benefit from support from a home care professional to help with arthritis care, you can get in touch with your local Home Instead office to learn more, or read our guide on how to choose and arrange home care services for everything you need to know about organising this. Our Care Professionals are the best of the best, and highly trained to deliver the services you need. No matter what type of home care you are looking for, we can provide a tailored service that suits you or your loved one. We’re an award-winning home care provider and part of a worldwide organisation devoted to providing the highest-quality relationship-led care for older people in their own homes. Arranging care for yourself or your loved one shouldn’t be stressful, so whatever questions you would like answered, feel free to reach out to the Home Instead team to discuss your needs.