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Seniors Guide looks at pros and cons of senior romance. Pros and Cons of Senior Romance. Older adults who find themselves living alone may crave a new relationship.

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At the same time, they may wonder if being partnered is right for them, at this stage of their lives. Seniors Guide writer Terri L. Jones looks at some pros and cons of senior romance. For 27 seasons, “The Bachelor” franchise has revolved around 20- and 30-somethings looking for love. Recently, however, the show’s producers announced that their newest bachelor would be a little more, shall we say, experienced. “The Golden Bachelor,” as he’s being called, is 71! Thankfully, “The Bachelor” isn’t alone in its mission to portray the romantic relationships of older adults. Recently, more and more seniors have been popping up on TV screens in show like “Shrinking,” “Severance,” and “Never Have I Ever,” ostensibly because producers recognize the opportunity to expand their audiences. (Baby boomers’ percentage of the population is neck and neck with millennials and Gen Z, who historically portray the coupled-up characters you find on TV.) In 2022, “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande,” starred Emma Thompson as a retired schoolteacher seeking the sensuality that her life had lacked. But perhaps more importantly, representing love between older characters simply represents real life. It’s not your grandparents’ world anymore, where after a divorce or the death of a spouse, many just lived out their lives alone. While there are no statistics on how many seniors are dating nowadays, all you have to do is look at all the senior dating apps to know there are plenty of them out there! So how is dating different now? Your must-haves in a relationship definitely shift as you get older. Gone are the days when you choose to date someone just because of their looks or sex appeal. According to the “Dating and Love Among 55+ in 2021” survey conducted by Choice Mutual, trust was most seniors’ highest priority in a relationship, followed by honesty and communication. Sexual attraction ranked a distant eighth. You’re also not playing around or playing games anymore. You want a deep connection. “They [seniors] genuinely want to meet someone new and spend time with them,” says Scott Valdez, founder of VirtualDatingAssistants.com, of seniors out there on the dating scene. While you may feel at a disadvantage because of your more advanced age, your past experiences can work in your favor. Ken Solin, author of The Boomer Guide to Finding True Love Online , explains, “They [seniors] have good ideas in mind of what’s going to work for them and what isn’t. They’ve dated enough, they’ve been married, they’ve been in relationships, they know what they’re looking for.” In an article in “Variety,” The Golden Bachelor, Gerry Turner, agreed: “When you’ve lived a long, full, happy, productive life, almost by accident, you gain some wisdom and knowledge. I think the age factor, whether it’s for me or for the women, is a really strong advantage in ways that I don’t think everyone sees quite yet. I think there’ll be some surprising reveals on the show where that age is such an advantage.” The whys. Most of the reasons older adults seek a partner are pretty much the same as their younger counterparts: companionship, emotional support, affection, etc. However, these aren’t the only motivations. Often, it’s a case of simply not wanting to depend solely on your children, friends, and neighbors for help or things to fill your time. By leaning on a partner instead, you’re able to retain the same dynamic as you’ve always had with the other people in your lives, particularly your kids. And because you have more time to have fun in this stage of your life, you may be looking for a cohort to join you in your adventures. In fact, one study found that shared interests may be more important than shared beliefs in senior relationships. A significant other in a senior romance can also help you manage health problems and has even been found to increase longevity. The why nots. Unfaithful or abusive partners or unfulfilling past relationships may make you gun-shy about exploring another union. And even if you didn’t have a negative experience in the past, people who have been in decades-long relationships may feel there’s no need to go there again. What’s more, seniors often don’t want the responsibility or the heartbreak of caring for a declining partner.













pros and cons of dating someone older