Time to Get Back Out There! Expert Advice to Beat the Stigma of Senior Dating
G etting back into dating can be hard when you’ve been out of the game for a few decades. In fact, some would-be romantics are so self-conscious about their age that they never even try! In honor of Valentine’s Day, we’ve rounded up some expert advice on dating at any age. Don’t fear online dating. Online dating is a great way to meet people outside of your social circle, and there are many dating sites and apps specifically for singles over 50 who are ready to mingle.
Use a picture of you from this year and be proud of your age. That’s the best way to find people who will love the real you. Go to 26 different places. Prefer to meet people in person? Lisa Copeland, a dating coach who works exclusively with women over 50, recommends creating a list of 26 different places in your area, one for each letter of the alphabet, then going to those places. While you’re out, Copeland says, “You want to smile. Make eye contact. Ask a question. Give a compliment and put a question behind it.” Be present when meeting new people. Dating as a senior means coming to the table with a lot of baggage. Dating is when
people get acquainted, so be careful about sharing that baggage right out of the gate. This doesn’t mean you should never talk about heavy topics, but remember this advice from the popular dating site, eHarmony: “Early on, focus on enjoying each other’s company here and now.” It doesn’t matter if you’re 26 or 62, dating is always hard. You have to step outside your comfort zone and trudge through a series of terrible first dates. But in the end, it’s all worth it when you find that special someone with whom you can spend your golden years. Just remember, you’ll never meet that person if you don’t make the leap.
Julie Spira, a relationship expert with senior dating app OurTime, says that “Authentic
dating profiles get the best results.” Basically, don’t lie on your profile.
HOW TO TALK ABOUT PHYSICAL THERAPY TO HURTING LOVED ONES Introducing the Next Step
and empathy to lighten their mood. Express concern for their long-term health. Explain that if they leave a health issue untreated, it may cause future health problems, and you don’t want to see them suffer. Ultimately, your empathy and encouragement are the best things a future patient needs. ‘Physical therapists teach us how to feel better.’ If your loved one is particularly independent, then it might feel insulting to suggest that they need help healing their own body. But that makes physical therapy an even better fit for them. Physical therapy is a natural, long-term healing treatment that your loved one can complete on their own; they just need professional guidance to help them get started. Physical therapists are professionals who provide people with customized
recovery plans. They guide patients through a journey of self-discovery and teach them how to manage their pain through movement exercises that make daily life easier. ‘I got you a coffee!’ Check in with how your loved one is feeling throughout the healing process, and celebrate every small victory they achieve with little gifts. It’s important to recognize hard work and progress during a long recovery, and it’s also helpful to remember that recovery may have both ups and downs, but as long as the overall trend is upwards, there’s no reason to despair. With your love and encouragement, your loved one may not feel so intimidated by asking for help from physical therapists. If you need anything from our team of experts, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 352-243-4422.
Encouraging your family members to work through challenges in their health can be a difficult conversation; demoralization from an injury is common, and they may feel recovery is impossible. If you’re worried about them but aren’t sure how to approach the conversation or the best way to support them, Four Corners Health & Rehabilitation has some great tips for you. ‘How are you feeling?’ The best way to start off any conversation is to listen keenly to the other person. How are they feeling? How can you help? Pain can put a damper on their mood and openness to talking, but you can offer your own time
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