Blog

Dating, like most things these days, offers many options and involves the use of technology.

The idea of creating an online dating profile can be intimidating to seniors. We share a few do’s and don’ts to help navigate the crazy world of online dating for seniors.

DO:

• Keep an open mind: what you were looking for in a match earlier in life might be different than what you are looking for now.
• Know what you want: have an idea of what you are looking for in a potential match.
• Let someone know you are dating again: communicate with family/friends if you start dating for safety reasons. If you start meeting with people in person, let someone know where you are going, at what time and the name of the person you are meeting.
• Keep to your comfort zone: it’s ok to want to talk to someone and get to know them over email and text for a little bit before meeting in person, don’t let anyone pressure you into meeting sooner than you are ready.
• Be aware of stranger danger: make sure the first few meetings are in a public place.
• Have patience: there are many people looking for love these days, as the saying goes you may have to kiss a few frogs before swiping upon a prince.
• Establish boundaries: be upfront about emotional and physical boundaries. Talk about what you are comfortable sharing and how fast or slow you want the physical side of the relationship to move.
• Be selective: what we know about online dating is that there are plenty of fish in the sea –  be a little picky.

DON’T:

• Pose with your grandchild: spending time with grandchildren may be a huge part of your life, but that is something you can talk about with your match. Avoid having pictures of them on your dating profile.
• Forget to scan the background: while selecting your profile photos scan the background and make sure there are no family members, expensive items, or anything that might give an indication of where you live or like to frequent.
• Share too much: be wary of scams – if someone is asking about favorite color, pet names or maiden names – it’s time to swipe on.
• Use multiple apps: find one app or site you like and be patient.
• Use old photos: just as you want the person you meet up with to look like their profile, you need to do the same. More than recent pictures, don’t paint yourself as an adventurous, thrill seeker if you know you are happier spending the weekends curled up with a good book.
• Take rejection personally: to use a millennial term, don’t be offended if you get ghosted. The downside of having so many options is people feel there is always something more. Know you deserve better and move on to the next match.
• Be afraid to initiate tough conversations: be upfront about what you are looking for (long term relationship, short term dating, casual connections, friendship)
• Fall in love with a profile before meeting the person: it’s easy for someone to have it all on paper (or online). Do not get too attached until you’ve met in person and can verify for yourself that they are what they wrote they were.

Once you decide you want to give online dating a try, the next step is to pick a site. In addition to a website, many online dating sites have an app available for download on your cellphone. Some dating sites geared to older adults are: Silver Singles, OurTime, Elite Singles, eHarmony, Match.com. These sites have pros and cons so you may have to play around and find which works best for you. Think about what is important to you: do you prefer more local matches, do you want a more in-depth profile description, do you want more options available to you? After finding the site that best fits your needs, get started on creating your own profile and making those new connections!

Are you an adult child with a mom or dad who has recently started dating? Check out our blog, The World of Dating – Senior Edition for tips on what to expect and important conversations to have.

–

If you’re considering senior living for yourself or a family member, we hope you’ll visit one of our communities. You’ll find a maintenance-free, activity-filled and engaging lifestyle to help support your wellness goals.

You’ll also discover many benefits in a Northbridge Senior Living community, including our Signature Program S.T.A.R. Club (Sharp Thinking, Active Residents) – which offers our residents several activities to participate in with others, including:

• Daily exercise group
• Walking club
• Tai Chi & yoga
• Nutritional classes
• Library and book club
• Museum outings
• Artists in residence program
• Multi-generational music
• Genealogy Generations

If you are considering senior living as the right choice for yourself or a loved one, we invite you to Find a Northbridge Community near you to learn more.

Sources: 
katiecouric.com
ncoa.org
retirementliving.com