Old At 60? Not On Your Life!

11 October 2006

Old At 60? Not On Your Life!

When Frank Sinatra turned 60 he was “old”. But when Mick Jagger turned 60, he was still young and still played rock. Loudly. Attitudes to ‘60’ have changed dramatically because there is a huge population at the tipping point of ‘senior’.

Two kiwi entrepreneurs – Brian Peters and Peter Clark – have created a celebration of seniors. For the second year, they’ll open Seniors’ Day Out at the North Shore Events Centre ($9.00 admission) this Friday to Sunday (13 to 15 October).

The pair were previously responsible for tapping into the kiddie market with exhibition KidsFair, which they sold earlier this year. Seniors’ Day Out (www.seniorsdayout.co.nz) is expecting 10,000 visitors to see its 100 plus exhibitors, and it has opened an exhibition in Wellington (10-12 November Walter Nash Stadium Lower Hutt).

“Seniors’ Day Out is designed for fun and seeing what’s around for you when you’re tipping 60,” says Brian Peters. “It’s a fact of life you’ll experience some changes when you’re older. Ten years ago, you had a Panadol and bore any discomfort of ageing. Now you can buy just about anything to cater for pain and improve health. You can also travel, garden, buy a new car, and enjoy your retirement.”

Busloads of retired are already booked to turn up at the exhibition. They’ll be treated to experiencing line dancing, workouts at the gym, health products, retirement village options, through to a university education via AUT.

“You’re just not old when you’re 60 these days,” says Richard Coon, Chief Executive of Sentinel, the specialist home equity release company. Sentinel is a sponsor and exhibitor at Seniors’ Day Out. “You’re more likely to have time on your hands, to travel, own your own home and take care of your health. You’re even more likely to be working than if you were 60 a couple of decades ago. Life continues well past sixty, often with great health and a lot of energy. Times have changed.”

Event: Seniors’ Day Out (www.seniorsdayout.co.nz)
Time: 10am to 4pm
Date: Friday 13 to Sunday 15 October
Place: North Shore Events Centre, Auckland

ENDS

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