has affected numerous citizens of Bermuda and other places too.

Bermuda has many senior citizens that are happy, active and productive. They reach out to help others and make differences to our community. Some live alone or with their families and others are in care residences.

In the interviews I have conducted I have found similar themes in seniors' lives such as: learning more the longer one lives, wellness focus after age 50, eating and drinking for good health, exercise and mobility, people giving of themselves and sharing their talents, following dreams and the provision of leadership.

This year PALS' Ann Smith Gordon, MBE, JP, also chairman of World Homecare and Hospice Organisation attended the second World Congress on Home Care in Vienna, Austria on May 7 to 10 where 38 counties were represented. In fact she made the welcoming remarks. We have included excerpts from her speech on page nine.

"I turned 65 this year and I had a marvellous party at the Royal Opera House in London. I enjoyed celebrating with friends and family. Sir Desmond Langley was there and it was wonderful,'' said Ms Smith Gordon.

According to Ms Smith Gordon every eight seconds, a baby boomer in America turns 50. In less than 10 years when baby boomers begin to retire, one out of every five Americans will be over the age of 65.

By 2040, the number of Americans over the age of 80 will triple to 26.2 million.

People are living longer due to the benefits of medical advances and it is projected by the year 2050 the number of people in the world aged 65 to 84 will be about 175 million.

Bermuda's population census of 1991 showed 59,230 and over age 65 was 5.6 percent. Projections by 2011 show a number of seniors over age 65 at 10.2 percent of the Bermuda population.

In today's world many successful people are opting for retirement by age 55 or 60. Many go into second careers, further education, study art, take up sports, travel, grow vegetables, or buy a sports car.

Fifty plus is generally a time when many older people focus on themselves.

They examine exactly where they are in life as reflected in this supplement.

"It is not by muscle, speed or physical dexterity that great things are achieved but by reflection, force of character and judgment, in these qualities old age is usually not only poorer, but is even richer.'' Cicero.

We thank all the people who made this supplement possible from the seniors interviewed and those who contributed articles, to our advertisers.