Dating as an older adult can be an arduous — yet nonetheless rewarding — adventure.
As explored in Sunday’s Columbian article, “No age limit on love,” looking for romance can be tricky no matter your age. But finding companionship later in life brings its own unique challenges — sometimes presenting as much in the way of pitfalls as potential.
Here are three simple tips aimed at single seniors ready to return to the dating world.
Don’t run before walking
Maybe your spouse died, maybe a long-term relationship has ended, or maybe it’s time to re-enter the field after a hiatus. Whatever the reason for choosing to date again, it’s important to know yourself, said Pepper Schwartz, AARP’s sex and relationship expert. The University of Washington sociology professor said if someone has decided to become truly social again after an extended absence, maybe it’s best for them to join a club, or volunteer somewhere before stressing about finding a date. Being comfortable with being more social will help them ease into the larger world again. They can ask a friend to accompany them on social outings to instill more confidence. “The best way to do it, I think, is to get what younger people would call a ‘wingman’ or ‘wingwoman,'” Schwartz said.
Use caution cautiously
While it’s OK to be on guard when getting to know someone, too much caution could actually become a roadblock to love. It’s understandable to be protective of finances or privacy while dating, especially in the beginning of a relationship or on dating websites, but there should be a point where mistrust is allowed to morph into trust. Gail Haskett, Vancouver gerontologist and president of Aging Resources Inc., said some fall into the trap of consistently looking at what’s wrong with a situation rather than what’s right.
