Impact of fatigue on everyday life among older people with chronic heart failure.

AIM: To explore the relationship between fatigue and performance of activities of daily living (ADL), use of assistive devices, home-help service and community mobility services in older clients with chronic heart failure.

METHODS

A cross-sectional descriptive study of 40 patients was performed using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, the Staircase of ADL, Assessment of Motor and Process Skills and a demographic checklist.

RESULTS

We found high levels of general fatigue, physical fatigue and reduced activity. Greater fatigue was associated significantly with increased dependence and decreased quality of ADL, but not for shopping. Use of community mobility services and assistive devices was frequent and home help less frequent. Use of assistive devices and home help were associated significantly with greater fatigue, but not the use of community mobility services.

CONCLUSIONS

Fatigue had a negative impact on ADL mainly from physical rather than from mental causes. Improved energy conservation strategies to reduce the consequences of fatigue are needed.