M.Cauch
SageHealth Network
December 10, 2007
Young singles are used to being bombarded with the glam advertising of online dating sites and social networking tools. Looking for a mate in our high tech, fast paced world is no longer like looking for a needle in a haystack. Everything is accelerated and much more convenient than it ever was before.
For seniors, re-entering the dating world can be a scary prospect. Many may be divorced or recently widowed after decades of marriage. Yet, an instinctual aspect of being human is our need to create social networks and ultimately establish a romantic connection. For some, the last dating experience was perhaps sitting in the ice cream parlor holding hands after school. It can be very difficult to establish new relationships, either romantic partnerships or friendships as people age. People experience many losses as they enter later life and social support networks could diminish leaving many seniors, particularly men, isolated.
Online dating is one avenue to finding friendship and romance. Online dating is an easy, cost effective method to meeting a world of people, specifically targeting age and socioeconomic background. Online dating can be fun but as always, but advice for everyone is to exercise caution. Approach cyber socialization with care and intelligence. Popular sites include Senior Friend Finder, eHarmony and Lava Life.
Recently, I came across an article on speeddating for seniors and was fascinated. Speeddating is a new way to meet people. It is an efficient, fast-to-face way to establishing a connection with others quickly. In-person chemistry rather than the Jane Austen tradition of correspondence.
Here’s how speeddating works: You spend 5 minutes with each person and decide if you would like to see them again. And really, 5 minutes is enough time to know if you’re compatible with someone. You check their name off on your list. If they check your name off their list, you have a match. Afterwards, your contact information is forwarded to your matches and the rest is up to you.
It’s great news that speeddating events have been organized for seniors (although only Florida and Colorado as of writing this blog). Unfortunately, nothing like this exists in Toronto yet.
There are lots of other ways to meet people: You can join an online social networking site like meetup.com. Meetup.com lists a variety of interest groups narrowed down by geographic location. Language groups, cooking, age-specific social groups—practically any interest, hobby or activity is listed on meetup.com.
Volunteering is another way to be socially active and give back to the community by doing good works. Taking a special interest class through a seniors’ centre, religious organization or college will increase your knowledge base and introduce you to a whole host of people. And let’s not forget—recruit your friends. You could meet someone through six degrees of separation. Be pro active and let friends know that you’re interested in meeting new people.
Let’s be honest…..Getting back into the dating world can be frightening and overwhelming. However, dating can also be a wonderful tool to make new friends, expand your social networks and have fun. And remember… you’re never too old to make friends.
