The world wide web has become a tool for communication, information and entertainment that leaps over geographic, ethnic and even age boundaries.

Networks such as www.SeniorNavigator.com provide free online avenues to assistance with questions on health, exercise, finances, legal issues, housing and support groups and are accessible through 160 volunteer staffsupported systems in Virginia.

A browse through the web turns up hundreds of sites of interest to retirees.

There are online magazines with fun features and columns, including:

• www.50plusmag.com, for 50+
• www.grandtimes.com, for seniors and grandparents.
• www.suddenlysenior.com, an entertaining online mag for those not ready for seniorhood yet.

Some are devoted to older women:

• www.owl-national.org, the home page of the Older Women’s League.
• www.seniorwomen.com, founded by former Time magazine reporter Tam Gray, with topics including computers, relationships and the arts

Other unique sites:

• www.thegeezerbrigade.com provides an online shopping destination for crafts made by rural-living seniors.
• www.writeseniors.com has linked seniors up with pen pals since 1999.
• www.boomersint.org is a free membership community that provides baby-boomer related information, research, trends and opinions.
• www.thirdage.com allows members to chat with other seniors online, get free email accounts and access online resources on many different topics.

Resource sites to bookmark include:

• www.aarp.org, American Association of Retired Persons.
• www.hud.gov/groups/seniors.cfm, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s senior citizens site.
• www.irs.gov/retirement, the Internal Revenue Service page.
• www.n4a.org, the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging.
• www.nsclc.org, the National Senior Citizens Law Center.
• www.aging.state.va.us, the Virginia Department for the Aging.