Daily Health News Blog

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 ca...

A long illness could derail even the best retirement plan. You may be a diligent saver, one who maxes out your 401(k) and IRA, but you probably haven't considered protecting your ability to earn money. Your earning power is more valuable than your savings or your stock portfolio. Not planning to protect it, even for a couple of years, would seriously alter your plans for the future. One in three employees age 25 to 65 will be out of work for three months or more because of an injury or illness, according to the Society of Actuaries. Accidents are not the main cause. About 90 percent of disability claims are for common illnesses and health conditions, such as back problems and cancer, according to a report by the Consumer Federation of America. Advisors quoted in Fortune recommend looking at your cash flow and your employment income and thinking about how well you would do if you couldn't work. Short-term disability insurance (sick leave) covers earnings for only a fe...

You can make life easier and less expensive for your heirs if you provide them with these basic lists, say financial planning experts. * Bank and credit card accounts. List the name of each institution, type of account, the account number, telephone number and password for each. Tell where the account statements are. * If you have an attorney or financial planner, provide the person's name and contact information. * Make a list of recurring bills and loan payments. It's especially important if payments come directly out of a checking account. Tell heirs not to close accounts until arrangements have been handled. * List your life insurance policies and contact information so heirs can collect what they are due and cancel policies that are no longer needed. In this case, ask for premium refunds, which can amount to hundreds of dollars. * List all email addresses you use and account passwords if any. This will help heirs find bills you have and notify acquaintances of yo...

  One problem with prescriptions: many bottles just tell the name of the medication and how many pills to take. Busy primary care doctors may not have explained how to take them, or in the stress of the visit, the patient might have forgotten the instructions. Here are two examples: A woman who was prescribed a once-a-week bone-building pill took it whenever it was convenient. Her pharmacist explained that it should be taken in the morning and she shouldn't eat anything or lie down for an hour afterward. A man taking a medication for reflux disease thought he would need surgery because his medication wasn't doing enough. After a pharmacist explained when and how to take it, the man felt much better. Walgreens is gradually remodeling their stores to put pharmacists at open desks so customers can easily discuss their prescriptions with them. The company says many patients are talking to their pharmacists more often than to their primary-care physicians. ...

Take a few minutes each day to stop and reflect on your life. You can spend some time practicing gratitude. This helps give you some perspective and improves your ability to handle life's challenges. Remember that you have the power to control your thoughts. Researchers studying weight loss have found that most people will state that they need to lose 50 or more pounds to be "successful" at losing weight. This often sets them up for failure by making this goal seem out of reach. A better strategy is to set a reasonable goal, such as losing 10 pounds. Studies have shown that even a 10 pound weight loss has measurable effect on your blood sugar level and overall well-being. Once you've hit that first goal, simply set another until you've gotten as healthy as you can. To get the best protection from sunscreen, you don't have to buy the highest SPF you can find. Unless you have a skin condition, have had skin cancer, or are very fair, you can use a product wit...