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Usually, the term senior citizens is a polite way of referring to older persons who have arrived at the age of retirement or 65 years. In nearly all western countries, retirees are then qualified to obtain a full social welfare pension. People who embrace a different lifestyle or social status may also be called senior citizens. This may come about when they become grand parents, change their work practices or their hobby and recreational interests, and as a result, enjoy life and relax.

Senior citizens are a growing population nowadays, as the average adult life span grows. This situation has been caused by the many medical advancements, improved health facilities and the development of new and improved pharmaceuticals that have been produced throughout the last half century. Apart from that the death rate of infants has dropped significantly, thus increasing the number of babies that reach maturity. Senior citizens therefore, are more able to fight off illnesses than their forefathers, because of the cheap, superior health centers that can be found today.

Public opinion of senior citizens has altered tremendously in recent decades, rather than regarding seniors as a handicap, the general community has learned to value the many contributions that senior citizens make to the community. Seniors are staying in the workforce longer teaching their trade to others and instructing apprentices. A lot of retirees donate their skills to charities, in order to remain willing participants in local affairs assisting people who are often less fortunate. In certain instances, volunteer organizations might not exist without the involvement and work done by seniors.

As the number of seniors rises, new products and services have been developed to care for their special needs. Senior citizens are contributing to the economy as fresh publicity trends develop to advertise the number of niche markets that are being established because of their presence. Just consider the number of promotions that are targeted for older people; seniors housing, seniors insurance, seniors gym, anti-aging products, the list is seemingly endless.

Senior citizens have escaped from the past ideas of groups of old codgers sitting in a park playing chess, or struggling along the sidewalk leaning on a cane. Today's senior citizens are far more busy and have part of the economy relying on them for their skills and business.