THIS year marks the 40th anniversary of the Summer of Love, and with Sir Paul McCartney turning 65 on June 18, it looks like those who wore wacky clothes, sported long hair and touted the impor- tance of flower power have finally grown up. But don’t tell them that. The over-60s are a different kettle of fish in 2007, and life in the "golden years" has changed drastically from what it was in previous generations. Sir Paul is a case in point – still making music, partying and raising his young daughter, Beatrice, Sir Paul seems more like 45 than 65. He has just released his latest album, Memory Almost Full – his first in two years, and he has been quick to monopolise on marketing schemes of the modern age. The album is the first record on Starbucks- sponsored label Hear Music and the album was released simultaneously in shops and online. Not only that, but Sir Paul is tuned in enough to have budding 21st century Hollywood icon actress Natalie Portman, 25, starring in the video for the first single off the album, Dance Tonight. A video which incidentally received its premiere via the internet generation’s favourite website, YouTube. This sort of behaviour surely makes Macca the epitome of the modern pensioner, a breed who work well into their 60s, shun cruises for more adventure-packed holidays, are still dating and aren’t averse to youth culture. Not afraid to move with the times, today’s older generation carry mobiles, do their shopping over the internet and have recently been found to be the best recyclers – a survey by waste management company Hippowaste found more than 73% of 55 to 64-year-olds and 82% of over-65s always recycle their rubbish. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it, kids. "People are physically much more able and the 60s of today are very clear that they haven’t got old," explains Keren Smedley, business and life coach at Saga magazine and founder of www. experiencematters.co.uk. "They are the baby boomers, they invented youth and intend to stay young. "They’ve got a completely different attitude and see themselves as having another 20 years of active life, whereas people used to see themselves as winding down and waiting to die." When the Age Discrimination Act was brought in last year, ageism in the work place became illegal. It’s given people the opportunity to work for longer – if they want to follow the example of people like Macca, that is. With life expectancy on the up, there’s a very real possibility that people will now live into their 80s and beyond, and Smedley says that can make it very tempting to stay in employment. "You can only do so much gardening." she says. "A lot of people do enjoy what they do work-wise, so work part-time, arrange to work three months on, three months off, or do temporary contracts. "I don’t think people will burn themselves out by working longer," she continues. "It’s a myth that just because you’re older you’ve got less energy and are less able to do it. You just manage your life differently."
Pensionable but far from past it
YOU don’t have to be an ex-Beatle to be hip well into the retirement years. Sophia Loren – at 72, Loren is still sassy, sexy and even appeared in the 2007 Pirelli calendar. Wildlife presenter David Attenborough is 81 and still hosting shows like Planet Earth. He’s also a passionate campaigner on the most modern of issues – climate change. Helen Mirren at 61, right, is having her most successful career year in 2007, winning an Oscar, Bafta and Golden Globe for her role in The Queen and Rolling Stone Mick Jagger may be just about to turn 64, but he’s still touring with his band and is father to seven children, the youngest of whom is eight.
The new approach to old age
RELATIONSHIPS
If you have given up work, you may be facing something very new – you and your partner together practically 24-7. However, just because you’re retired, it doesn’t mean you have to spend every waking hour together – Smedley advises you should make a conscious effort to be independent. “You need to have your own activities, hobbies and friends, otherwise, what will you talk about?” she asks. If you find yourself alone in your retirement, perhaps through divorce or bereavement, why not take a leaf out of Sir Paul’s book, dust off your dating skills, and start seeing new people? Smedley says there’s no age limit on finding a partner. “Dating is the same for older people as it is for somebody in their 20s,” she insists. “You might be a bit rusty because you haven’t done it for 40 years, but it’s no different, and there are an enormous number of dating agencies for older people.” HOLIDAYS Gone are the days when those of retirement age went on a jaunt to Bournemouth for their summer holiday. The modern pensioner also wants something more exciting than a cruise around the Med – these days it’s all about taking meaningful or adventurous vacations. Whether it be volunteer work to help endangered orang-utans in Borneo or build an orphanage in Malawi, or even hiking in the Andes, the over-60s are definitely up for a challenge. “When this generation left school, they went straight to work, got married and had a family – gap years didn’t exist then,” says Rachael Woods, from Gap Year For Grown Ups. “Now it’s a possibility: people are keeping their health and fitness and they want to go off and explore, or give something back with all the life skills and experiences they’ve gained. “Demand for these types of trips is doubling year on year,” she adds. “Our company is aimed at anybody over 30, but a third of our customers are over 50 now.” If you fancy a holiday with a difference, and a little ‘SKIING’ (Spending The Kids’ Inheritance) visit www.gapyearsforgrownups.co.uk EDUCATION Just because you’re eligible for a bus pass doesn’t mean you’ve lost that thirst for knowledge and education. Many adults of pension age want to learn new things, be it languages, computer skills or creative writing. This can be done through the Open University, local higher education institutions or online, through organisations like The University of the Third Age (www.u3a-info.co.uk), a group of learning co-operatives where members use their own skills, experiences and hobbies to teach each other. Older people want to learn for a wide number of reasons, according to U3A’s Lin Jonas. “We have people whose formal education finished very early, people who’ve had very demanding jobs so have had very little time to follow any interests and people who find once they retire they have a massive gap in their lives and want to spend their time doing something useful and challenging,” she explains. “There are various benefits – comradeship, improved knowledge and self-esteem. There’s a tremendous amount of challenge involved and an awful lot of satisfaction.” | 
