Senior Life 2009

Mention the words "social network" and most of us have visions of computers, the Internet and online communities. For some seniors, these are relatively new to them. Meanwhile, socializing in-person has been going on for years. But how do retirees and their peers stay connected? While the Internet is an important tool, face-to-face contact is vitally important.

Today's senior citizens grew up in an era without many of today's amenities -- sunscreen being one of them. "Fifty years ago suntans gave the message of having leisure time," said Kerry Blacker, dermatologist with Kaiser Permanente in San Francisco. "The tan became a status symbol."

"I don't want to look too perky, just rested and ready to go." It is the often-stated wish of plastic surgery candidates, including those age 65 and above. With today's longer, healthier life comes a desire to look your best regardless of age, with mature Americans opting for cosmetic surgery in increasing numbers. But is a good plastic surgery outcome possible at age 65 and after?

Getting the news that you need surgery is hard to hear at any age, but the older you get, the more likely you are to need an operation. "As we age we have accumulation of damage to our joints, so it's very common for seniors in this day and age to undergo hip, knee and other replacement operations," said Dr. Richard Allen Prinz from the American College of Surgeons in Chicago, Ill.

Here's a health tip for 2009: After age 50, you must have a comprehensive physical from a primary care physician whom you like, trust and respect. If you are completely healthy, every two years could be sufficient, but from age 60 onward, it should be at least annually.

Holding the baby might be the first joy you experience as a new grandparent, but the real fun comes later as children grow and the bond between you deepens. The question is how to turn the time you spend together into a meaningful relationship, and the experts say it's easier than you might think.

Back pain is one of the most common health complaints in the U.S. In fact, as many as 80 percent of all adults experience lower-back pains at some point in their lives, according to the Arthritis Foundation. How do you treat the hurt? Get moving, and keep moving. "Muscle weakness contributes to up to 80 percent of the pain experienced by chronic pain patients, so the worst thing you can do when your back hurts is lie in bed for a week," said pain management specialist Dr. Ruth Anderson of Desert Pain Specialists in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

Working after retirement may seem like an oxymoron. The last thing most retirees want to think about is going back to work, but due to the hard economic times, many are doing just this. If you are considering returning to the working world, you aren't alone. "People who are retired and had no expectation of working again are returning to the work force or beginning their personal job search in incredibly large numbers," says Tim Driver, chief executive of retirementjobs.com, the leading career website for people over 50.

As people get older, their dietary needs change. Most tend to be less active than when they were younger and need fewer calories, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) at Tufts University. But seniors still require as many, if not more, nutrients.

You're never too old to laugh -- and make others do it too. A growing number of seniors are finding that out first hand, signing up for comedy workshops, writing their own one-liners and, in some cases, going on the road. Just ask 76-year-old Mavis Pickett. A retired educator, she launched her show business career at age 68 and has become one of Canada's best known stand-up comediennes. Pickett performs at clubs and events in Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto and Palm Springs, Calif.

When award-winning actress Cloris Leachman was a contestant on the television show "Dancing with the Stars" at age 82, she proved that not only can seniors dance, but also they can do it well. It makes sense that physical exercise is good for bodies that are growing a little older every day. Dance also reduces stress and increases the serotonin level, which naturally improves mood, said Richard Powers, social dance historian and instructor at Stanford University.

Retirement is the reward for a job well done. After years of putting in long hours at work, it's time to let someone else toil in the trenches, so pack your bags for some well-deserved getaways. With a little poking around, anyone can find fun trips that won't deplete your savings. An easy option if you want a trip where you'll see the sights is to contact one of the many tour companies that cater to a more mature traveler. With one call they can help choose a destination, accommodations and activities, and meals are often included. Traveling with a group also saves money, and meeting new friends is part of the fun.

Are you digging for the roots of your family? You're not alone. Ancestry.com counts more than 950,000 subscribers and said that more than 9.3 million family trees have been created since July 2006. It's estimated that 78 percent of the U.S. population is interested in or actively researching their family history. So whether your ancestors can be traced back to the beginnings of the British Empire or traveled through Ellis Island seeking a better life in America, there are plenty of ways to find your family history.

When it comes to fun fashion, there's nothing wrong with trying to stay trendy -- unless of course, you're over 60 and opt for gold spandex leggings, cropped tank tops or low-slung baggy pants. "Women and men, in their never ending quest for youth, often go off the deep end," observed Ohio-based Pat Nowak, an author, speaker and former fashion director. "Instead of seeing themselves as Clark Gable or Audrey Hepburn, they opt for dressing like Britney Spears or Mickey Rourke. It's not a pleasant sight."

Getting older takes a toll on the body. The passage of time can manifest itself in a number of ways, such as hair turning gray -- or disappearing altogether. Crow's feet and laugh lines show up in the mirror and muscles and joints ache and creak like old floorboards. But aging also can affect the mind, resulting in memory loss, perhaps the most mysterious and dreaded ailment associated with getting older.

Investing early in your retirement allows you to gain compounding interest earnings. Here's an example of how a $1,000 investment will grow, based on number of years and different interest rates.

North Dakota has the highest percentage of people 85 years and older with 2.4% of its residents at that age, while Georgia, Nevada and Utah have the lowest with 1.1%.

With more money in savings and high home equity, seniors are often targeted by identity thieves. Here's how to guard yourself against problems.