Q: In the last few years, I've found my sleeping patterns to be majorly disrupted. I spend more time lying awake in bed and find myself waking up in the middle of the night.

Several friends have shared their similar experiences with needing less sleep, but I'm pretty sure I'm not getting enough.

How much sleep do seniors need?

A: There's no one answer that will suit everyone. Figure out how much sleep is best for you.

The amount of sleep you need is personal and variable. Sleep patterns do change with age, and you will have to find your new equilibrium.

Many seniors are comfortable sleeping on the lower end of the average — about seven-and-a-half hours per night. However, this is an average and may not be ideal for you. Experts have found that many seniors are sleep deprived.

Quality sleep, not just the quantity, is essential. A good night's sleep will allow you to function well during the day.

To get enough sleep, aim to achieve "deep sleep" every night. Don't wake in the middle of the night.

One major change with aging is your body's internal clock. Seniors do best with earlier wake and bedtimes. Many seniors find it difficult to stay asleep past a certain hour of the morning.

Night owls are more likely to experience sleep deprivation, as they go to bed at their accustomed time but wake up earlier. The lost sleep hours add up and take a toll on the body.

To achieve an earlier sleep time, consider some lifestyle changes. Avoid caffeine in the evening as well as eating large dinners. Develop a regular sleep schedule that is the same every night. Avoid looking at screens while trying to sleep. Regular exercise can also help you get more sleep.

Some seniors like to get enough rest by taking an afternoon nap. As long as you get the necessary number of hours, spacing your sleep out during the day may help.

If you continue to feel exhausted, consider a doctor's visit. Your sleep problems may be health related or even a side effect of medication you're taking. Losing sleep isn't an inevitable part of aging.

Don't worry about other seniors' habits. This is the best time in your life to focus on you. — Emma, Doug's granddaughter

HOUSEGUESTS

Q: My husband and I are looking forward to welcoming an old friend to stay with us. He went to high school with my husband and has been a part of our lives for decades.

The only drawback is we haven't had a houseguest in a very long time. The last time was with different friends, but we had a rather unpleasant time and were happy to see them leave. This was despite enjoying their company later, in different settings!

How can we avoid any of the problems that happen when hosting houseguests?

A: Be upfront and clear about your expectations and boundaries.

Let your guest know when you plan to be out of the house and make some suggestions on how they might spend their time. Suggest some local places or activities your guest might enjoy while they have some free time.

Mealtimes tend to cause some friction, especially if you have wildly divergent habits. Inform your guest of your plans to eat and invite them to join you if possible. Suggest a few potential alternatives for some variety.

Most people find it difficult to spend all their time together, no matter how strong the friendship.

Follow your general routine while inviting your guest to join you in certain parts of it. Having some different activities will help you better enjoy the time you have together.

Don't neglect deciding how long your guest will stay with you. Even the best of guests will wear on you after a while; a guest is very different from a new roommate.

Doing some of the planning ahead of time will help ensure a more successful visit.

Most importantly, remember to enjoy your time together! Tolerate some interruption to your daily life. — Doug

Doug Mayberry makes the most of life in a Southern California retirement community. Contact him at deardoug@msn.com. Emma, Doug's granddaughter, helps write this column. To find out more about Doug Mayberry and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.