Many older people often feel very tired, even after doing simple things like going for a short walk or doing light chores.
While this may seem like a normal part of aging, new research shows that this kind of tiredness, also called fatigue, could actually be a serious warning sign.
A new study from the University of Pittsburgh has found that older adults who feel very tired after regular activities are more likely to die within the next few years. This finding is important because it shows that high fatigue is not just an annoying feeling, but a strong signal that something might be wrong with a person’s health.
The study followed nearly 3,000 people aged 60 and above. These people were part of a larger project called the Long-Life Family Study, which looks at what helps people live longer, healthier lives.
The researchers asked participants to rate how tired they thought they would feel after doing different types of activities. These included things like a 30-minute walk, doing some housework, or gardening. They gave a number from 0 to 5, with 0 meaning “not tired at all” and 5 meaning “extremely tired.”
All these answers were added up using something called the Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale. This tool, created by the same university in 2014, is now used in many countries and has been translated into 11 languages. It is a simple way to measure how much fatigue a person feels during everyday activities.
After looking at all the results, researchers found a clear pattern. People who had high scores—25 or above—on the fatigue scale were more than twice as likely to die within the next 2.7 years compared to people who had lower scores. In other words, if someone felt very tired often, their risk of death was much higher.
This study is the first to show such a strong and direct link between feeling extremely tired and a higher risk of dying soon. Earlier studies have suggested that staying active can help reduce tiredness, but this new research goes a step further by showing how dangerous fatigue can be.
The study also suggests that doctors and caregivers should pay more attention to how tired older people feel. If someone reports being tired all the time, it might be a sign of other health problems that need to be checked. Keeping an eye on fatigue could help catch serious health issues early and possibly save lives.
Besides that, the research reminds us of the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Eating well, staying active, and taking care of mental health can all help reduce tiredness and improve the chances of living a longer, healthier life.
Led by Nancy W. Glynn and published in The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, this study gives new meaning to what tiredness can tell us about our health, especially for older adults. It shows that fatigue is more than just being worn out—it can be a sign that the body is struggling and needs help.
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