Our thoughts are with all of those affected by the hurricane this weekend. Here are a few tips on what to have on hand to be sure you’re prepared.

WATER
Store 1 gallon of water per person per day (2 quarts for drinking, 2 quarts for food preparation and sanitation). Keep at least a 3-day supply of water for each person in your household.

FOOD
Store at least a 3-day supply of nonperishable food. Select items that don’t require refrigeration, preparation, or cooking, or require little or no water. * Include selections from the food list below in your Disaster Supply Kit.
Ready -to -eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables. Canned juices, milk, soup, sugar, salt, pepper, etc. High energy foods – peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix.

WHEN THE POWER GOES OUT
Without electricity, food in refrigerators and freezers will spoil. If you know in advance that power will be shut off, use perishable foods in refrigerator and freezer first. Make extra ice. Freeze extra freeze-pack inserts and keep them frozen for emergencies.
Buy a cooler. Freeze water in plastic containers, do not fill to top before freezing – allow for expansion. Know where to buy dry ice. 25 lbs. of dry ice should hold a 10-cubic-foot freezer cold for 3-4 days.

FIRST AID KIT
Assemble a First Aid Kit for your home and one for each car. Include bandanges and sterile gauze pads, moistened towellets, thermometer, tweezers, cleansing soap, gloves and non prescription drugs.

TOOLS AND SUPPLIES
Include paper cups, plates & plastic utensils, manual battery operated radio and extra batteries, flashlight and extra batteries, cash or traveler’s checks, non-electric can opener; utility knife, fire extinguisher, pliers, tape, matches in waterproof container, paper, pencil.

SANITATION
Toilet paper, towels, soap, liquid detergent, personal hygiene supplies, plastic garbage bags, ties, plastic bucket with tight lid, disinfectant household chlorine bleach.

CLOTHING AND BEDDING
Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person. Sturdy shoes or work boots. Not slippers. Rain gear, blankets or sleeping bags.

SPECIAL ITEMS
Remember family members with special needs, such as infants, elderly, or disabled persons.  Important family documents should be kept in a waterproof, portable container.

Contact your local civil defense office or American Red Cross chapter for information on preparedness. See the Emergency Information section in the white pages of telephone directories for information and instructions. Meet with family members to discuss what to do in an emergency. Plan how your family will stay in contact if separated by disaster.

How senior adults can maintain fitness, through yoga for seniors. If you are a senior you can and will benefit from incorporating basic yoga stretches into your daily routine. Yoga easily adapts to your individual fitness level and abilities that’s why even if you are a senior citizen you can enjoy the benefits of yoga. It benefits your body, makes the mind calmer, and lifts your spirit to know you can participate in an exercise routine that fits your needs Lift Your Spirit
Knowing that you can participate in yoga for seniors helps you get more in touch with yourself. Knowing that you can work within your limits and make yourself feel better emotionally and physically is a great benefit. You will gain a new sense of self and self-confidence knowing you can create your own customized daily routine that will benefit your overall health. Keep Moving!
You need to keep moving to prevent the stiff muscles and achy joints that are common complaints among seniors. The best remedy is yoga for seniors. Muscles and joints were designed to move and basic yoga stretches will do just that, get you moving again in a gentle stress-free way. The gentle bending and moving of yoga is important for relieving stiff joints. As they say, you have to “move it or loose it!” Getting Started
Simple basic yoga positions is a good place to start. The best thing about yoga is that you do not have to push yourself beyond the limits of what your body is capable of. I cannot stress this point enough DO NOT push yourself, if a pose is painful for you, do not do it, or just modify it by only stretching as far as your body allows. As you continue to practice you will find the basic yoga stretches become easier to do. Yoga for seniors also aids in quieting the mind as you concentrate on each yoga pose your attention becomes focused and relaxed.