If you're approaching retirement or have already retired, then consider yourself one of the lucky ones - you've got a lot to look forward to! Improvements in medicine and changing views on how one's "golden years" can and should be spent have made the term "retirement" something of a misnomer. In fact, for many people, this period will be the most active phase in their lives!

But no matter how much time you spend anticipating it, the reality of retirement can still come as a shock. So how do you prepare yourself for this drastic change in lifestyle? In 2 words: plan ahead! Visit the Association for Retired Persons' (CARP) web site at http://www.fifty-plus.net/ for an overview of the issues that affect the over-50 crowd. Also check out Chapters and Reactivate for books and videos on the various aspects of retirement.

If travel and adventure are part of your retirement plans, check out Carp Travel to book your vacations online, or you can plan your holidays at Senior Travel and then phone in your booking. For your health needs, we prescribe visits to Viva Care, a Canada-wide online pharmacy; and Pharmacy Canada, which serves Ontario. After all, who's got time to run to the drug store? Have some RRSP money burning a hole in your pocket? Visit Prime Time Gifts for items with front-end boomers in mind. You can also use the Web for online information: http://www.goldenagehealthcanada.com/ covers senior health, housing is covered at http://www.thecareguide.com/, and http://www.snowbirdhelper.com/ helps with trips to sunnier climes.

Are you ready?

How and where do you start planning for retirement? Dr. Anne Hildebrand, a geriatric psychiatrist at Mt. Sinai Hospital and assistant professor at the University of Toronto, points to 2 important areas: money and health. "Certainly, we can expect that our retirement years will be more pleasurable if we have healthy RRSP savings and sufficient resources to be able to do those things we've been putting off doing during our working years," she writes in an e-mail interview. "If, however, we are not physically and psychologically healthy, no amount of money will allow us the fullest enjoyment of our retirement years. As such, it becomes very important that we begin, at the earliest age possible, to invest in a healthy 'older age' through healthy lifestyle choices."

To get your financial house in order, start by talking to a financial consultant or your bank manager. For guidance on healthy living talk to your doctor, a nutritionist or fitness specialist. But don't stop there. Dig into the wealth of literature - both online and in print - available on both topics. The more you know, the more prepared you will be. Of course, talk and research are not enough...as the Nike slogan goes, "Just do it."

In addition to finances and health, you should also think about planning what you're going to do. "Retirement may be the first time that an individual will need actually to think about structuring their time," writes Dr. Hildebrand. "This can come as quite a surprise to those who often found themselves anticipating, with longing, those retirement days when they could just 'do what they want.'" By planning activities, you'll avoid feeling the burden of time, and start enjoying the pleasures of retirement.

Have time, will travel

Now that your vacation time is no longer limited to a couple of weeks a year, you can take off and see the world whenever you want, for as long as you want and can afford. For many retirees, "can - or cannot - afford" is the operative phrase here. The good news is that most airlines, hotels and other travel industry operators offer a senior's discount. So don't be embarrassed to ask for your senior's discount. You should also consider joining CARP, which negotiates group discounts for its members, or a travel club that will alert you to any last minute sell-offs. Of course, the latter option means you need to be prepared to take off at a moment's notice. Get packing!!

Senior living

Location, they say, is everything in real estate. But if you're looking for an adult community or a retirement home, you should also consider facilities and services. Is the building or community designed to sufficiently accommodate a person with disabilities or health problems? What health care credentials do the management and staff possess? Tour the facilities and taste the food. And take the time to interview a few residents. Not only will this give you the real scoop, it will also give you a chance to get acquainted with your future neighbours.

What's new in health care delivery?

Remember when doctors made house calls? Well, those days are coming back - sort of. A number of doctors across the country are now using the Internet and e-mail to diagnose patients and dispense advice. Obviously, this virtual method of health care delivery has its limitations. But next time you visit your doctor, ask if he or she offers any services online. There are also numerous web sites that offer health and drug information. "The availability of information on the Internet will have a significant impact on health care," says Paul Gamble, director of Ryerson Polytechnic University's School of Health Services Management. "One of the real factors is that we're dealing with baby boomers, who are highly affluent, educated, and computer-savvy. They're used to being participatory." When accessing online health information, keep in mind that it does not replace an actual consultation with a doctor. Well...not yet.

Glossary

RRSP or Registered Retirement Savings Plan is a tax-deferred savings and investment plan from which you withdraw after retirement until the age of 69.

RRIF or Registered Retirement Income Fund is a way to turn over your RRSP into annual income, based on limits set by Revenue Canada.

Quirks

Who says you're too old to sculpt your body into shape? Put down that remote and visit http://www.fitness35plus.com/, an online fitness club for the more "mature" crowd. It's time to get with the program!