With old age, come many things. From aching bones and deteriorating eyesight or hearing through to a greater need to rely on public services and mobility issues, the one area you don’t often hear discussed when it comes to aging is the pressure it puts on relationships.
So, what do you need to know about love and aging? And how to relationships chance when you’re older?
Less tolerant?
According to research published on the BBC, divorce rates for those in the over 60 age bracket are increasing. Between 1991 and 2011, those getting divorced later in life has risen whilst those seeking the same action in their younger years have fallen.
This could represent the fact that divorce no longer carries the same stigma it once did; allowing older people to rid themselves of unhappy marriages, but it could also suggest that our OAPs are struggling to maintain their relationships as they get older.
The secret to a happy retirement
Although relationships may change as we get older, the fact is that we still consider them important. In a poll of 1,000 individuals aged over 50 years of age, more than 80% said relationships were the secret to a happy retirement. If that is the case then surely it is important that we understand how they change and what we can do to maintain them as we grow old?
How do relationships change?
Nothing in life stays the same – and this is especially true for relationships. As you grow old, your personality will continue to develop and change and this means that you may develop new interests or a new perspective. Older people are often considered less tolerant too, something which could increase the risk of domestic arguments or disputes.
The easiest way to overcome this is to make sure that lines of communication are kept open. This means listening to one and another and responding to each others needs – whether that be to look at stairlifts for elderly to improve mobility around the home or simply taking a short break to enjoy some much needed time together.
Alongside this nurturing of your relationship, it is also important that other connections are given similar attention. Relationships with friends and families are just as important as those with a loved one or partner so make sure you invest time and energy into maintaining lines of communication.
Try to avoid shutting yourself away from the world and get involved. Social interaction can have numerous benefits for those in their later years and is a great way to meet new people and develop new friendships and relationships that improve your quality of life.
So, what do you need to know about love and aging? And how to relationships chance when you’re older?
Less tolerant?
According to research published on the BBC, divorce rates for those in the over 60 age bracket are increasing. Between 1991 and 2011, those getting divorced later in life has risen whilst those seeking the same action in their younger years have fallen.
This could represent the fact that divorce no longer carries the same stigma it once did; allowing older people to rid themselves of unhappy marriages, but it could also suggest that our OAPs are struggling to maintain their relationships as they get older.
The secret to a happy retirement
Although relationships may change as we get older, the fact is that we still consider them important. In a poll of 1,000 individuals aged over 50 years of age, more than 80% said relationships were the secret to a happy retirement. If that is the case then surely it is important that we understand how they change and what we can do to maintain them as we grow old?
How do relationships change?
Nothing in life stays the same – and this is especially true for relationships. As you grow old, your personality will continue to develop and change and this means that you may develop new interests or a new perspective. Older people are often considered less tolerant too, something which could increase the risk of domestic arguments or disputes.
The easiest way to overcome this is to make sure that lines of communication are kept open. This means listening to one and another and responding to each others needs – whether that be to look at stairlifts for elderly to improve mobility around the home or simply taking a short break to enjoy some much needed time together.
Alongside this nurturing of your relationship, it is also important that other connections are given similar attention. Relationships with friends and families are just as important as those with a loved one or partner so make sure you invest time and energy into maintaining lines of communication.
Try to avoid shutting yourself away from the world and get involved. Social interaction can have numerous benefits for those in their later years and is a great way to meet new people and develop new friendships and relationships that improve your quality of life.
