A daily hour-long nap may improve brain function in seniors, according to a recent study, which was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Led by Junxin Li of the University of Pennsylvania, the study examined the sleep habits of nearly 3,000 Chinese adults aged 65 and older, including whether or not they took afternoon naps.

The goal was to determine if this extra sleep during the day had any effects on brain function. The participants were asked to undergo several mental status tests, including basic math problems and answering simple questions.

The volunteers were also asked to memorize certain words and copy drawings of simple geometric objects.

More than half of the participants – nearly 60 percent – took regular naps after lunch, the duration of the naps ranging between 30-90 minutes. The majority of them slept for one hour.

The participants who napped for an hour after lunch performed better at their tasks than those who didn’t nap at all.

Those who napped for one hour performed better than those who slept for less or more than an hour.

For those who took short naps, long naps or no naps at all, the declines in their mental abilities measured up to six times greater than for those who slept for an hour in the afternoon.

Note: although the study found a relationship between an hour-long nap in the afternoon and improved brain function, it was unable to prove a cause-and-effect relationship.

An important goal for older people is to maintain their memory and decision-making abilities. Researchers are paying more attention to the role of sleep and rest in healthy mental function.

The children are gone, and your retirement is ahead. You’ve managed to get your retirement accounts in order, and you’ve decided on whether you’re going to work part-time a bit for a little extra income. But what about that big family home? Do you really need such a big space, now that the children have all moved out? If you’ve decided selling is the best option, here’s a few things to keep in mind as you begin the downsizing process.

1. Decide What to Bring with You

Because you’ll likely be moving somewhere with much less space than the family home, you’ll want to carefully consider what to take with you.  For years you’ve been used to certain amounts of space and storage. Now you’ll have much less space. Probably less than half the square footage you’ve been living in. That means some tough decisions will have to be made.

If you’re having a hard time deciding on what to keep and what to donate, take it slow and consider how useful or sentimental items are. You’ll probably need to part with some possessions that you only use infrequently. Many seasonal decorations and home repair items will need to be sold or given away. Sharon Greenthal from Empty House Full Mind also suggests “a small storage unit for things you simply can’t part with.”

2. Budget the Benefits

Selling the family home will bring financial and budget changes.  Whether it’s eliminating a monthly mortgage, lowering home repair and upkeep costs, reducing utility bills, or changing insurance costs and requirements, selling the family home and moving somewhere new will warrant a review of your housing budget.

Before you downsize you’ll want to make sure that your new arrangements fit within your planned budget. Some retirement living scenerios are more expensive than others. Much depends on how much help you’ll receive. Independent living is much less expensive than assisted living in most cases.

3. Consider Your New Lifestyle

When you move out of the family home, your new space will definitely be different.  You’ll have less to clean, and you may have little or no yard maintenance.  Both of those are benefits, but you’ll also have less space. If you’re retired you’ll spend much more time at home than when you were working. You might also take up a hobby now that you have the time. All that affects what you’ll want and need in a new residence.

If you’re moving from a single family home to an adult community or an apartment, you’ll probably be dealing with neighbors who are closer than you’re accustomed to. Consider any privacy issues before you make a move.

Comfortable and safe areas for playing may be an important factor as you start spending more time with grandchildren. Depending on the age and number of grandchildren, it could be wise to think about how much room you’ll need both inside your home, as well as outside in your yard. Sharon Greenthal also suggests “if you don’t have grandchildren now, or you might in the future, you might wish you had more room when they come along.”

Closing out the family home can be a big decision. By considering the important issues before you move you’ll make a decision that will make your new home a joy!

Paige Estigarribia contributes to The Dollar Stretcher.com. The site has helped readers “live better…for less” since 1996. They have an active section for baby boomers and a free email newsletter After 50 Finances.

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan designated November as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. At the time, fewer than 2 million Americans suffered from Alzheimer’s. Since then, that number has climbed substantially: nearly 5.4 million Americans currently suffer from Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s Disease, or AD, is a condition caused by changes in the brain that deeply affect memory and other mental abilities. As the individual’s mental capacity decreases, it offers increasing challenges both to the one with the disease and the loved ones who assume caretaking duties. Reagan’s decision to institute an awareness month for this disease helps call attention to it and the problems faced by those who suffer from it.

How It Started

As an increasing number of Americans are impacted by Alzheimer’s disease, either as sufferers or as caregivers, it’s critically important to raise awareness about this disease and discuss its impact on the families impacted by it. Reagan acknowledged the suffering of families who watched their loved ones fade a bit further away every day. While at the time, a cure was a long way away, many strides have been made since 1983. Today, the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease seeks to find a cure by 2025. While the disease is still considered to be fatal, many strides in treatment have been made.

Raising Awareness

Many people are standing up for their loved ones with Alzheimer’s Disease and continuing to raise awareness about its symptoms, the diagnosis, and the issues faced by those who have it and their loved ones. Wearing purple for Alzheimer’s is considered to be a sign of support for sufferers and their families. Raising awareness also takes on several other facets: increasing funding to research, improving the understanding of brain functioning, and offering tangible support to families who take care of those who suffer from Alzheimer’s. Awareness is critical, not only for helping families, but for raising funding for the research to help find a cure.

Alzheimer’s Statistics

As the aging population increases, the number of patients with Alzheimer’s increases along with it. Alzheimer’s Disease occurs primarily in the elderly. The older a patient is, the greater the odds that they will suffer from Alzheimer’s: one in nine people over the age of 65 is estimated to have the disease. That increase in age isn’t necessarily the only thing that signifies an individual’s odds of contracting Alzheimer’s, however: it’s estimated that over half a million individuals under the age of 65 already suffer from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. Family caregivers often spend as much as $5,000 a year caring for an individual with Alzheimer’s.

Honoring Family Caregivers

For most individuals with Alzheimer’s, particularly in the early stages of the disease, family caregivers are the ones who provide the majority of the care. This means sacrificing time, money, and energy. In 2015 alone, it’s estimated that there were 15.9 million Americans providing caregiving duties for loved ones with Alzheimer’s, including an estimated 18.1 billion hours of unpaid care. 41% of those caregivers are estimated to have a household income that is less than the national average of $40,000 per year, which means that caregiving often comes at a substantial sacrifice. 74% of caregivers also report that they have some level of concern about maintaining their own health since becoming a caregiver due to the strain placed on them by those responsibilities. Nevertheless, family caregivers continue to give their all to family members who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. It’s a difficult and often thankless job, particularly as memory and cognitive function decrease, but love provides the incentive they need.

An aging population means that an increased number of cases of Alzheimer’s Disease are coming to light. It’s clear that a deeper understanding of this disease is increasingly necessary. Not only that, the aging population will require continuing care, including services that are put in place to ensure that both those diagnosed with the disease and their family members receive the support they need during this difficult stage of life. November is the month that you can get involved! Help raise awareness and add your support to individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s this month.