Valentine's Day and Older Adults
A candlelight dinner, red roses, sweet words of affection, chocolates and kisses- these symbols of love are often associated with the delights of Valentine’s Day. On February 14th, love is often portrayed as a passionate spark, an atmosphere of romance between significant others. However, in our youth obsessed society, romantic love is most often focused on idealized beauty and storybook endings of the fair and lovely prince and princess.
Fairy tales and romance novels aside, the true reality is that many couples are finding love later in life. As science and technology increase the life expectancy, older adults are living longer to do many of the things that they enjoyed in their younger years- including dating. Romantic relationships are not bound by limits of age as dating provides older individuals the opportunity to find companionship and partnership in later life. Ageist stereotypes fail to take into account that older adults are often as charming and attractive as their younger counterparts. And although popular media tends to portray older adults as devoid of sensuality and disinterested in intimacy, the truth is that love, affection and intimate relationships are important in later life just as in youth.
Dating and relationships change as individuals grow older. There are many unique aspects to romance in later life both physiological and psychological. Physiologically as men and women age they encounter difference physical experiences that impact hormones and in turn, sexuality. However, many older adults continue to express their romantic feelings with sexual intimacy. Simply because a couple is older does not mean that they no longer have desires as they did in their younger years. Some older adults share intimate physical moments by holding hands, hugging, and kissing while others redefine sexual intimacy altogether. Older couples that maintain open and honest communication about sex often find they can enjoy satisfying intimate relationships. Psychologically, romance and intimacy evolve as adults’ age. Love often becomes more centered on companionship, security, and support. Older couples find romance to be a significant way to improve their quality of life. Romantic relationships can build an individual’s self-confidence and improve overall life satisfaction. Love often improves an individual’s perspective on life and a romantic partner can help ease the stress of growing older.
As you celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, remember that romance is not only for the young but also for the young at heart. Have a Happy Valentine’s Day!
