7 Challenges and Issues Facing Men and Women Dating Over 60

For many of us over 60, we’re at a point in our lives where we’re hoping to find serenity and harmony with someone special.

Maybe we’ve finally gotten out of a toxic marriage or long term relationship.

Maybe we were abruptly dumped by someone, but now coming to understand that it was a good thing.

Or maybe we’re widowed – we lost the love of our lives – but are now willing to see if someone else special is out there.

So, here we are in the third act of our lives, ready to welcome someone new into our lives, but we may have to deal with a whole host of challenging things . . . just because we’re over 60.

I advise that, before you get serious about anyone, know your deal-breakers and what kind of person your ideal partner will be.

Don’t wait until you’ve fallen in love with, say, a smoker, to realize you could never be in a long term relationship with one.

7 Challenges and Issues Facing Men and Women Dating Over 60

1. Health Issues

We all know that things start giving out in older bodies. Sometimes it’s just those nagging aches and pains. Other times it’s more serious things, like heart attacks and strokes.

How many people over 60 do you know who are NOT on blood pressure medication? Fortunately, I’m not. But most of the men I dated were.

I also found that most of them were not taking good care of themselves. They were overweight, not exercising much, not eating healthy.

This certainly applies to lots of women over 60, too.

One of my dating deal-breakers revolved around health. I do take good care of myself. I don’t smoke or drink. I (mostly) stayed clear of men who stated on their online profiles that they drank or smoked. And I knew I wouldn’t be happy with someone who ate a lot of junk food and fast food.

I remember one first-and-only date who was morbidly obese (I should have guessed by his headshot-only profile photo). He told me, “I’m trying to lose weight, but I can’t stop eating fast food.”

Chronic health issues like diabetes, cancer, COPD . . . the list is extensive . . . need to be addressed. Some people put that information about themselves out front, on their dating profiles, so potential partners have a heads-up.

It’s important (and only fair) to share any health issues you have with potential long term partners early in the relationship.

Within the first few dates you probably have an idea of whether or not this might be “the one”, so be honest and give them the option to stay or go.

Your health issues may be more than they bargained for, or are capable of dealing with.

2. Hands-On or Live-In Grandparenting/Parenting

Many grandparents over 60 find themselves being the primary caregiver for their grandchildren. Their own sons and daughters, for various reasons, are not there to raise their children.

I came across quite a few men who had young children of their own that they were raising alone.

I knew myself well enough to understand that I wouldn’t be happy raising children at my age. I appreciated it when men in either of these situations plainly stated that on their online profiles.

Conversely, you may welcome having children in your day-to-day life at this age.

3. Addiction

Cosmo and I write frequently about addiction and dating in recovery, because it impacts both of us.

We both knew it was a bad idea to even consider a relationship with an addict.

It is not possible to have a happy, healthy relationship with someone addicted to anything − alcohol, drugs, sex, etc. Too much of their efforts and thoughts are focused on feeding their addiction. They don’t have room in their heads, or enough time in their days, to fully devote themselves to a relationship.

Cosmo wrote about the ways addiction sabotages relationships:

• Secrecy and lies
• Anger and/or abuse
• Emotional damage to any children involved
• Impact to finances
• High risk of illness, death, or arrest

Many people finally get their acts together later in life and get sober, but for many others, the addiction lives on and has progressed to a dangerous level.

I wrote about the telltale signs that you’re dating an addict:

• Making excuses for behaviors
• Drinking or doing more drugs than intended
• Their friends also have addiction issues
• Appearing ill in the morning
• Losing interest in hobbies

4. Retirement

You’re finally retired, or he’s finally retired, or you’re both finally retired. Yay!

But wait a minute, even that good news can come with some challenges.

We often hear about women going nuts because their retired husband or boyfriend is always around the house, idle and not knowing what to do with themselves.

Both of you being at home together too much can put a terrible strain on a relationship . . . especially a new relationship.

It may be best to do some preemptive planning together to circumvent any potential problems that may occur.

Even in the best of relationships, you each need time and space away from each other.

Make sure your retirement plans are aligned with each other.

Try to strike a balance between the things you’ll do separately, and the things you’ll do together.

5. Money Problems

Money and finances can cause problems in any relationship, at any age.

In fact, they’re at the top of the list of issues that can tear people apart.

When you’re over 60, add into the mix that one or both of you may be on a decreased, fixed income.

With money tighter, money problems can escalate.

Before getting too deep into a relationship – and certainly before moving in together – have a serious talk about finances:

• Do your best to determine each other’s spending habits.
• Ask about any debt.
• Be sure your partner has the wherewithal to equitably share in expenses.
• If eating out and/or traveling frequently with your partner is important to you, be sure they want to do this, and will be able to afford it.

Discuss what kind of retirement each of you wants, and how you can help each other attain those retirement goals.

6. Women’s Body Image Issues

It’s no wonder women have sometimes crippling body image issues.

All our lives we’ve been bombarded with the ideal body we’re supposed to maintain all our lives – nearly rail-thin with smooth, supple skin and impossibly firm breasts.

We’re even somehow expected to have a “youthful glow” even into our 80s.

Women, too often, think of themselves as “old” at 60 . . . unattractive and not desirable to men.

Instead of being confident in and appreciating who we are, what we’ve done and how much we have to offer, we fuss, have “work” done and try desperately to hold on to a youthful appearance.

It can be so bad for some women that they avoid dating entirely so they never get to the point of shedding some clothing.

My advice to women with this issue: Try not to let these thoughts keep you from dating and/or from enjoying dating.

Go out on lots of dates so you’ll gain experience.

I can almost guarantee that, over time, it will get easier. You’ll stress less and less about your body.

7. The Older Man/Younger Woman Syndrome

As if it weren’t difficult enough for women over 60 to find eligible and worthy men, some men over 60 won’t even consider dating women their own age. They will only date women 20 or more years younger.

My advice to women: Don’t waste a minute fretting over this.

Those guys are not going to be right for you. They won’t keep you happy. They’ll probably lead you towards even deeper body image issues.

You have to figure there’s a level of immaturity in them that will probably always be there.

Although there may be plenty of men like this out there, I doubt that the majority of men over 60 fall into this category.

Most of them know enough to look at the whole woman, not just her outward appearance.

If they’re seriously looking for a life partner, they want someone who will be as compatible as possible . . . someone whose personality, sensibilities and lifestyle will fit with theirs.

On the flip side, there are lots of women over 60 who are only interested in younger men.

My feeling is that a relationship with more than a 10-15 year age difference – whether or not it’s the man who’s younger – may be on shaky ground.

But then again, since we’re all unique, there really is no ideal age difference that will seal the deal for a lasting relationship.

The true measure of a successful relationship? It works for both of you.