Dating among the senior citizen crowd is more common than ever. People are living longer than ever before, as medical knowledge and technology advance rapidly. Seniors also are staying healthier longer, meaning that they are likely to be in the market for companionship and possibly romance for decades after they retire.
We know from the AARP that 45 percent of Americans over age 65 are divorced, separated, or widowed. If this describes you, or if you simply are living single into your “wisdom years,” senior dating is a perfectly normal option, full of fun possibilities.
There are some wonderful benefits to dating later in life. Without the pressures of work or raising children, you have the freedom to broaden your horizons. Finding someone your age with a secure job, or someone who shares your religion, may no longer be an important consideration. Today, seniors may choose one companion or one romantic partner; or often they find more than one companion with whom they share different interests and activities. In your wisdom years, you are perfectly entitled to have a dancing buddy, a bridge partner, a walking buddy, and several dinner companions. The trick is to be thoughtful, honest and clear about what you’re looking for.
Many seniors prefer to meet people the old fashioned way—in person—and there’s no better way to get a good read on someone’s true character. Social activities are a great place to meet people, and they have the built-in benefit of finding someone who shares similar interests. These opportunities abound if you live in a senior community. If you don’t, check out your local senior or community center, your place of worship, your local hospital, college, or county’s listing of community recreation programs and workshops, and event calendars in your local paper. Even your local Office on Aging may be able to point you toward social activities and senior groups near you. Volunteering for a local organization you care about or going on a guided daytrip or vacation for seniors could be great ways to meet people, too.
If you haven't had luck in-person and you use the Internet, a whole world of possibility is available to you! The best part is there are many free online dating sites geared toward singles over the age of 50. Some popular senior dating sites include OurTime, Seniors Meet and AARP Dating. If you are new to online dating, it’s a good idea to educate yourself or ask someone with experience to help you get started. It is wise to be careful to protect your personal information online, talk to a potential date on the phone first, and then always meet in a safe, public place.
If you're not interested in dating but still want to find activities with other people your age, check out www.meetup.com, a website where you can find groups of local people who get together to share a variety of interests—virtually everything under the sun. Local event calendars can be found online, on the websites of all the same resources mentioned above. Some local senior programs can be found at www.aarp.org/states.