With the ever-growing population of single senior citizens in this country, dating among seniors over the age of 65 is becoming more common. The number of divorced seniors has doubled since the 1990s, and an estimated 20 million Americans over the age of 65 are currently single. It’s no surprise, then, that, as Americans are living longer and remaining active well past retirement, the senior dating scene is more vibrant than ever. Single seniors don’t necessarily want to stay single and are turning toward more modern ways to find love. The number of seniors using dating apps and websites doubled between 2013 and 2015 and is currently considered the fastest-growing segment of online daters.
Here are a few of the most popular dating sites for seniors:
EHarmony has a feature specific to seniors and uses its Compatibility Matching System to find matches for its users, rather than requiring the user to spend time combing through hundreds of profiles. After creating a profile, a user will be provided with a select group of compatible matches based on each person’s particular criteria.
Silver Singles is a site exclusively for the fifty and older crowd. Members take a personality test and build a profile and then receive up to three to seven matches per day. Like eHarmony, Silver Singles bases its matches on compatibility, and users can filter for specifics such as mature dating or older women dating.
Our Time, a subsidiary of match.com, is also aimed toward those over the age of fifty. On this site, members can search for matches and will also receive recommended matches based on their criteria. Once you’ve found a match, Our Time has a list of local events for fun date options, including cocktail hours, cooking classes, and live shows.
There are many other online dating sites, including sites for seniors looking for more self-selecting dating pools. For a comprehensive list of the best dating sites for seniors, visit The Senior List.
Before diving into the online dating scene, it’s important to consider the following tips:
- Take Your Time. Don’t rush into a relationship. Spend time getting to know a person, first online, and then on the phone before agreeing to meet face-to-face. Also, be sure not to share any personal information, such as a home address or home phone number, until you’re sure you trust the other person.
- Be Patient. It may take some time to find the perfect match, so don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t happen immediately.
- Take Precautions. Agree to meet in public for the first several dates. Drive yourself to ensure that you’re in control of when you can leave. Let a trusted family member or friend know where you will be and check in with them before and after the date. Finally, don’t drink too much so that your judgment is not impaired.
It’s possible to find love, regardless of age or past experiences. We wish you, or your loved one, good luck on the journey!