As we get older, our sleep needs can change. It is understood that children and adolescents need more sleep than adults, but surprisingly, older adults may also need to get more sleep. It is recommended that seniors get at least seven hours of sleep, but some need up to nine hours per night.

Unfortunately, many seniors struggle to get the sleep they need. Sleep disturbances can increase with age. Older adults often find it difficult to fall asleep, and they sleep less deeply. They also tend to wake up more during the night. Older adults also often find that they get sleepier earlier in the evening and if they do not shift their bedtime earlier, they can lose needed sleep time.

Why do seniors have these common sleep problems? As you age, your body produces less melatonin, the sleep hormone. You can also become more sensitive to environmental disturbances— temperature, sounds, and light. Finally, seniors have more medical problems, which can lead to unsettled sleep patterns. Poor sleep can lead to depression, decreased attention spans, memory problems, increased risk of falls, and greater use of overthe-counter sleep aids. This can all lead to a lower quality of life.

Many seniors depend on daytime naps to counteract the problems associated with diminished night sleeping. There are some treatments that can help. Your doctor can recommend ways to safely get the sleep you need. You should also make good nutrition and daily exercise a part of your life. These contribute to your general well-being, which promotes good sleep habits as well.

Create an emergency preparedness kit with these items:

• Three day supply of water and food per person (and pet)
• Clothes and shoes
• Sleeping bags or blankets
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape
• Insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a water proof container
• Flashlights
• Battery operated radio
• Cell phone with extra batteries
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Three day supply of medication
• Travelers checks, cash and change
• Pencil and paper
• Personal hygiene items and feminine supplies
• If you have a baby, don’t forget disposable diapers and wipes
• For children, include books, games and puzzles

Getting ready for a disaster or emergency sounds like a lot of work. But if one occurs, you’ll be glad you put your time and money into the project.

Frequent travelers or those looking to book a trip will score the best fare prices when they purchase tickets about 70 days in advance of their flights, according to the most recent study by CheapAir.

The analyzed 917 million airplane ticket prices at the time of purchase to uncover this prime purchase window which is up from 54 days during the previous year. Although many casual flyers might guess that tickets will be the cheapest when booking as far out as possible, there could be a $50 premium on tickets purchased 169 to 319 days in advance and a $20 premium for those at 122 to 168 days out.

The least popular days to fly are Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday, which also make them the cheapest. Avoid Friday or Sunday, which are the most popular days. Also look for very early or very late travewl times to find better deals and discounts.

Sure, hot dogs are yummy and s’mores are fun and sentimental, but does the camping menu have to be so limited? No it does not. From hot breakfast sandwiches to decadent desserts, campground food can be anything you’d like.

Two words: foil packets. Use aluminum foil to cook any number of goodies, including grilled vegetables, salmon with garlic and spices, or barbecue chicken.

Bring the cast-iron skillets and make everything from cornbread and chili, campfire pizza and nachos to paella or beef stroganoff.

Use those skewers to heat up cinnamon rolls. Imagine the combination of aromas: campfire, hot coffee, cinnamon rolls, and the great outdoors.

Don’t forget the drinks! In addition to beer and wine, consider campground sangria, which you can mix ahead of time and enjoy when you’re ready. Mix some fruit, wine, something carbonated, and boom: sangria.

Now that the dog days of summer (heat) are almost over, and the crisp fall weather is slowly making an appearance, it’s time to walk around your home sweet home. This is the perfect time of year to take care of any home maintenance and cleaning issues before winter’s arrival.

We know how important your time is, and we really know how important it is to keep your home healthy. Below are some important things to look for when making a personal home inspection. The following recommendations are simple to do. However, it may be safer for you to hire the services of qualified professionals to do some of these checks for you or to interpret your findings. Saving money is good, but not at the risk of injury.

Home Exterior :

Fall is the perfect time to inspect your home’s exterior. Temperature and humidity changes cause materials to shift, contract and expand. UV radiation from the sun affects paint, caulk, shingles, wood, rubber and vinyl. As a result, the exterior envelope of your home may not be as “tight” as it was this spring. As weather gets cooler, materials tend to shrink and harden. The air is drier, resulting in further shrinkage as materials lose moisture. Rubber seals around doors and windows become brittle. Look around your doors and windows. How does the caulking look? Caulk should be flexible, smooth and tight to the surface being sealed. If it is cracking, brittle and deteriorated, it should be scraped out and replaced. Is the weather stripping intact? Do windows close and seal properly? Can you see daylight or feel air leaking around doors? Downspouts and gutters should be cleaned and inspected. Are there soil depressions directly below the gutter? If you see depressions, chances are the gutters have been overflowing. Gutters that don’t drain properly increase risk of foundation damage. Downspouts should be extended at least 10 feet away from the home to ensure proper drainage.

Home Interior:

Modern carpets do a great job of hiding soil. This may lead you to think you only need to clean your carpets once a year or when they “look” dirty. But according to the EPA, most households should clean carpets at least twice a year, maybe more depending on lifestyle and other factors. This may surprise you until you think about all of the soils, allergens, oils, dander, pollutants and contaminants that carpet traps. One of the best reasons for cleaning in the fall is that you want your home to look great for visiting friends and relatives during the upcoming Holidays. Nothing makes your home feel clean and inviting quite like freshly cleaned carpets and upholstery. Even if you don’t expect guests, you will be spending more time at home in the winter, so you want it to look nice for you, too. Of course, there are far more important reasons to clean your carpet than appearance. Soil damages carpet, dramatically reducing its usable life. During the summer, pollen and other pollutants enter your home and become trapped in the carpets. In the fall, mold spores are more prevalent, again, becoming trapped in your carpet fibers. With clean carpet now, you and your family can breathe cleaner, healthier air all season long. It’s bad enough that fall and winter are the seasons when people suffer from cold and flu without adding poor indoor air quality to aggravate conditions such as asthma and allergies. This fall, taking care of home maintenance and cleaning is a proactive approach to maintaining a healthy home! Call HANSEN STEAM WAY for more information and tips or to schedule your next cleaning.