Recently, I did another workshop at the Betel Centre on the Pleasures and Pitfalls of Seniors’ Dating. Participants enjoyed the presentation and received helpful information on how to develop stronger and more expansive social support systems; advice on re-entering the dating world; and health and safety tips for social networking. Thanks to our event sponsors (Swiss Chalet, Steeles Deli Warehouse, Second Cup and Rainbow Cinema Promenade) who donated prizes around the theme of senior-friendly first date venues.
The presentation was timely as it addressed the needs of older adults and seniors in finding companionship in the third age. With the aging of the baby boomers and people living longer, population stats are swelling with the balance leaning towards 50+ generation. Later life divorce has been steadily increasing leading to a wider pool of eligibility.
Ssenior centres, through friends, social networking groups, faith based groups, and singles travel excursions are all possibilities. Volunteering is a great way to meet people and give back to the community at the same time. Volunteer Toronto is a good place to find opportunities that appeal one’s experience and skills (Volunteer Toronto Suite 404, 344 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M5S 3A7 Tel: 416.961.6888 www.volunteertoronto.on.ca )
Taking a special interest classes is a way to pursue interests and meet people in a natural setting. Interested in a cooking class, photography or art lessons? Learning a foreign language is fun and good exercise for the brain. Maybe join a book club, dance class or take computer classes and get more comfortable with the internet. Some universities, for example York University, offer discounted tuition rates for seniors. Ryerson’s LIFE Institute offers a wide range of courses specifically designed for individuals 50 and over (L.I.F.E. Institute, The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3 Tel: (416) 979-5000 ext. 6989). Now is the time of your life when you have more freedom to devote to your hobbies and interests and become involved with new social circles.
A preliminary search of some of websites illustrate that older adults and seniors want to find love and romance and are discovering modern methods to do just that. Online dating is one of the fast growing segments of the internet. For tech savvy, older adults, online dating can open up a whole new world of meeting people that didn’t exist before. Lava Life, one of the top online dating sites in Canada, launched Lava Life Prime, a site specifically targeting baby boomers. There are many online dating sites for older adults and seniors, for example, Senior Friend Finder, Plenty of Fish, eHarmony and Jdate. Also many sites catering to LGBT seniors are springing up just as quickly, such as Gray and Gay, and Planet Sappho.
Just as in the real world, you must always be careful when meeting new people and use common sense. If meeting people online, remember:
o Guard your privacy and use caution when revealing personal info about yourself
o Speak on the phone before meeting in person.
o Always use public spaces to meet
o People Can Lie and can make pictures lie, too.
There are lots of opportunities waiting to be discovered. You just need to be creative in your thinking of where to find them. So get out there and expand your social networks, meet new friends and find potential dates.
