Advice For Dating in a Senior Living Community

Author

Golden West, The Towers

Posted on

Apr 04, 2022

Book/Edition

Colorado - Boulder County

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Todays older adults are living longer, healthier and more active lifestyles. For some, senior living communities are an ideal environment for finding the one. Whether youre just starting to date again or youre a veteran to the single scene, here are a few tips for finding a new partner.

Find creative ways to expand your social circle.

If youre ready to branch out and build new relationships, start looking for ways to meet new people. Start slowly by joining clubs and attending events within your own community. Join the yoga group, attend the cooking demonstration, or participate in game night.

Be open about expectations.

Do you have your sights set on true love, or are you looking for a conversation partner at meals? There are so many reasons to meet new people, so its important to make sure your interests align. If you know what type of relationship youre seeking with someone, start a conversation to see if they feel the same way. For example, if someone isnt sharing your passion for romance, be respectful of their wishes and be open to friendship instead.

Look ahead, not back, for a new relationship.

For widows and widowers, wanting a new relationship can bring mixed emotions. Dating can be a double-edged sword for those who have already found, and lost, their soulmate. Its not uncommon to feel guilt for wanting a partner and its tempting to seek out someone who reminds you of your late companion. If youre feeling uncertainty about new relationships, consider taking it slow and focusing on getting to know potential partners. Instead of trying to recreate a past relationship look for people who intrigue and inspire you in different ways.

Be candid about intimacy.

Physical relationships promote cardiovascular health, lower stress, and contribute to stronger emotional connections. Its no surprise many seniors, including those in senior living, are intimate with each other. Before starting a physical relationship, have a conversation about expectations and desires.

Compatibility is your most attractive quality.

Age is just a number and looks arent everything. Most seniors are focused on finding suitors with a lifestyle compatible to their own. Older adults interested in dating tend to be more flexible about a potential partners age or appearance and more invested in finding someone with shared interests.

Let your loved ones know your intentions, but dont let them dissuade you if they have some misgivings.

Having a support system available to give advice and look out for your best interests will make it easier and more fun to ease into dating. Listen to what your loved ones are saying and respect their advice, especially when it comes to safety and privacy, but be aware that some adult children will not be immediately accepting of a widowed parent reentering the dating scene. They may need time to adjust to the idea. You dont have to rule out dating because a loved one isnt entirely accepting of the idea, though. Instead, be prepared to talk about why you want to date and how you plan to do it safely. When introducing new partners or describing new relationships, take a subtle approach at first and share with your loved ones about how your new partner makes you happy.
Golden West Senior Living Community provides lots of activities, events, and opportunities for seniors to meet new friends and potential partners in a safe and fun social setting. With daily events and activities to participate in, a lovely garden path for romantic strolls and a rooftop terrace for a lunch date anyone looking for a special someone will find lots of fun things to do together. Learn more about life at Golden West Senior Living at gwboulder.org.

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Dignity Care is a homegrown business in Boulder.In the 1990s, Mary Kirk, a registered dietitian, began caregiving for family and relatives. Her husband, Ged, offered a companion travel service for the elderly and disabled. Together they established Dignity Care, LLC in 1997 as a home care business with just two caregivers and a home office.As demand for home care service increased, Mary recruited additional caregivers, but always with an emphasis on the compassionate, respectful, personalized care that was Dignity Cares trademark. Mary created her own approach to senior home care, unique in this area.With this dedication and passion to provide the best caregivers in the Boulder County region, Dignity Care has continued to grow and in 2009 became licensed as a Class A home care provider.  We specialize in using Certified Nursing Assistants on our teams so we can bring you the skill and experience you deserve, if you have any questions, please call us at 303-444-4040.

In Home Care Helps Seniors with Depression

Too many seniors grapple with isolation and depression, but these are not a normal part of growing older. They are treatable medical illnesses, much like heart disease or diabetes. Depression is a serious illness affecting approximately 15 out of every 100 adults over age 65 in the United States.Seniors experiencing feelings of depression and isolation have a higher risk of hospital admissions, as well as a higher risk for being scammed. Not to mention it makes for a miserable life.So, what can you do? Helping seniors stay healthy means more than ensuring they get good physical care. Individuals living alone miss out on the stimulation of interactions with others on a regular basis. Our caregivers serve that dual purpose of providing physical care and social connection. We enjoy our clients, building a relationship with them, and sharing the highs and lows of their days. Caregivers can laugh with their clients and be an empathetic ear. We make sure our clients are getting out of the house and attending events and activities that interest them.Hiring a caregiver to help out, even for a couple of hours each week, brings conversation and spark along with the physical help. Caregivers are a good antidote for depression. If you have any questions, please call us at 303-444-4040.

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Hot summer days are a good time for everyone to think about staying hydrated. For older adults the topic of hydration is a year-round discussion that never goes away. Its a serious issue for most seniors but doesnt get resolved because it needs to be addressed every day and cant be solved with a pill.Seniors have a very high risk for dehydration, which is one of the most frequent causes of hospitalization after the age of 65. They have a greater risk of dehydration for many reasons, including the fact that as we age, our kidneys become less efficient at conserving fluids, our sense of thirst weakens, and we are less able to adjust to changes in temperature. Some medications like diuretics, sedatives, and laxatives can also cause increased fluid loss.Dehydration can cause temporary symptoms that mimic symptoms of Alzheimers. If dementia-like symptoms seem to appear suddenly, it could be dehydration which is easily curable.Symptoms of dehydration range from minor to severe and include persistent fatigue, muscle weakness, headaches, dizziness, nausea, forgetfulness, confusion, lethargy, increased heart rate, sunken eyes, dry mouth, dark colored urine.  Urine should be clear to pale yellow. I tell my clients that if their urine is darker than pale yellow, they should head straight to the kitchen from the bathroom and drink a full glass of water.  Keeping a glass of water beside you all day to sip on rarely results in someone drinking enough fluids.  Its more effective to drink the entire glass, even if its a small glass.  Seniors cant rely on their sense of thirst to tell them when to drink water.  Scheduling a glass at each meal and/or after a bathroom visit, making sure to drink the full glass, is the best way to make sure youve gotten your full daily amount.If you have any questions, please call us at 303-444-4040. 

Local Services By This Author

Golden West, The Towers

Affordable-Subsidized 1055 Adams Circle, Boulder, Colorado, 80303

Recently renovated, Golden West is a nonprofit, affordable senior living community for people age 62 and older. Our long-time staff provide quality services, including programs and activities, social events, entertainment and educational programs. In addition to community-based opportunities, we facilitate outside trips and coordinate volunteer opportunities for our residents with respected local organizations. Our midtown Boulder location offers easy access to many Boulder amenities including dining, shopping and entertainment with healthcare providers and services also nearby.

Golden West

Independent Living 1055 Adams Circle, Boulder, Colorado, 80303

Recently renovated, Golden West is a nonprofit, affordable senior living community for people age 62 and older. Our long-time staff provide quality services, including programs and activities, social events, entertainment and educational programs. In addition to community-based opportunities, we facilitate outside trips and coordinate volunteer opportunities for our residents with respected local organizations. Our midtown Boulder location offers easy access to many Boulder amenities including dining, shopping and entertainment with healthcare providers and services also nearby.