_ Stretch your body and mind. Choose daily pursuits that keep you physically, mentally and socially engaged.

There's abundant evidence that continued physical activity helps people live longer, feel better, avoid depression and keep their mental skills sharp.

"Functional disabilities shouldn't keep you from exercising," says Dr. Amy Ehrlich, a geriatrician with Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, N.Y,

She puts frail elderly patients on a walking program. If they can't walk, she puts them on a swimming program. And if they can't swim, she has them take a water aerobics class.

Studies show that people benefit from efforts to stay cognitively sharp – from doing a daily crossword to playing games to reading. Maintaining social ties also is critical. Older people who volunteer in schools, for example, feel happier, more useful and more satisfied with their lives.