Dating as a Senior: What You Need to Know
Senior dating is a topic that doesn’t always get a lot of attention but is definitely something that needs to be discussed. Now that the holidays have passed, what is your resolution for the year? If you found yourself feeling a bit alone over the holidays, it might time to start looking for a special someone to spend your time with.
But Where Do I Meet Someone My Age Anyway?
Dating is difficult no matter what age group you are in, but seniors may find it particularly challenging. After all, where do you meet new people in the same age group, and with similar life experiences? Luckily, thanks to the Internet, there are a lot of different options.
Firstly, there’s Meetup. A popular website and app, Meetup is designed to connect like-minded people together via local groups. And there are currently a lot of different groups set up for single seniors across different age groups to meet other singles in their area.
You can choose to join a Meetup group specifically for dating or even just a general meetup for travel and activities where you could potentially meet someone and make new friends.
Secondly, there are free options such as eHarmony and Match.com - although you do have to pay for premium features and monthly memberships - that are better suited for finding someone long-term.
The reason these are better because they allow you to be a lot more targeted in your search, and find other people in your demographic who are also searching for something more meaningful. With these dating sites, you are able to filter by age and interests to meet someone that is truly compatible with you. There are also websites such as Elitesingles.com, which are designed primarily for senior dating and promise streamlined matchmaking.
Thirdly, there are other local options such as senior centers. Many resist the urge to join, but there are a lot of benefits of doing so. Not only can they provide great resources for advice and counseling, especially if you are battling loneliness, but it is a great way to meet other people!
It’s a nice way to put yourself out there and slowly acclimate back into the social and dating scene. If you feel like these other options move at a much faster pace than you would like, then easing into socializing with activities at the senior center is a good way to get your feet wet.
Okay, I Have a Date...Now What?
While everyone is different and there are a lot of different dating ideas/options/activities out there, why not keep it simple? You can go for a nice dinner, or maybe catch a movie together to start. However, if you want to enjoy a cozy winter evening together, you can also try going to a local craft fair or stay in and cook a nice meal. Use these first few dates as an opportunity to take things slow, and get to know each other on a deeper level.
Dating as a senior might seem initially daunting, but it really does not have to be. Dip your feet in, take things slow, and go at your own pace when searching for the right person. You may find that even if it takes a while to find someone special, you will meet lots of other interesting people along the way once you start putting yourself out there.
