Of course, there are many 60-plus men around who say they'd like to be more sexu-ally active. Actor and photographer George Schiavone, 69, -- who plays Joseph Bologna's loudmouth friend Bernie in the Boynton Beach Bereavement Club -- is one such person.

"I miss having sex all the time," he said. "I don't miss it where I'm bereft but I would love to have sex tonight with a woman I love. It's not like I have to have a date and relieve my animal urges but I miss the intimacy."

Masturbation -- which is encouraged by sex therapists and geriatricians -- is a topic most people don't feel comfortable talking about openly.

‘‘You can talk about sex and intercourse but masturbation is more restricted. It's a no-no to talk about that with women. And too bad because masturbation is incredibly significant," said Manulkin.

Many seniors say growing older has altered their perceptions about sex and the partners they're now attracted to.

"I'm not Clark Gable, you know," Schiavone said. ‘‘Every woman would like their man to have a nice round ass and a square jaw but when you get older you automatically make adjustments.

‘MORE POLITE'

"I think when you get older you get nicer, more polite and compassionate. Probably because you're a little more vulnerable and the whole sexual process is different. Now I'm saying, ‘Look at this, I'm finding older women attractive.' ''

The popularity of the ubiquitous little blue pill, Viagra, has certainly helped many seniors keep things alive. There is, however, one unexpected caveat: Being 70, 80 or 90 does not preclude one from contracting a communicable disease. In fact, sexually transmitted diseases are spreading more than ever among senior citizens.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that people age 50 and older make up more than 10 percent of total AIDS cases in this country, and that HIV cases are increasing among people in their 60s and 70s. During the last decade, AIDS cases among people over 50 have risen from 16,000 in 1995 to 90,000 in 2003 -- a 500 percent increase.

Richard Weisler, 74, became hip to this issue after reconnecting with Louise Medlin, 69. Weisler and Med-lin had a fling nearly 40 years ago in New York and when they recently reconnected they were both ready to pick up where they left off.

‘‘There wasn't any question that we wouldn't continue," Medlin said. "It just clicked."

There was only one thing holding them up. "There were certain requirements from the lady," Weisler said, referring to the AIDS test Medlin asked him to take.

Weisler and Medlin are now enjoying a great sex life. ‘‘It feels better than ever," Medlin says. "I had not had anyone in my life for 20 years. I got divorced and for whatever reason there didn't seem to be anyone I wanted in my life. I think I was just shut down. With Richard, it was a reawakening for me. I didn't think I could feel like that."

Weisler and Medlin live separately but have seen each other every day since they reconnected eight months ago. "I stay over at Louise's one night a week.

It's a steady Saturday night stay-over," Weisler said. "But I hope this article gets me another night."

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