This document summarizes data from a survey of 55 older adults (average age of 70) regarding their dating and romantic lives after age 60. Key findings include: over half of respondents were widowed or divorced; about a third were actively dating or in a relationship but over half were not satisfied romantically; and over two-thirds had not been on a date in the past year. The document also examines participants' church involvement, views on safe sex practices, and how they reconcile religious beliefs with intimacy desires later in life.

1. Single Again
Dating & Romance After 60 World Cafe
Participant Data
September 2010

2. Overview
 55 Participants
 No data collected on
gender
• Approximately 90% Female
 Age Range
• 42 yo – 91 yo
• Average Age Early 70’s
 63% had not taken an HIV
test in the past 12 mos
 52% Widowed or
Divorced
 89% were High School
Graduates
 35% Actively Dating or in
a Relationship
 51% Not Satisfied with
Romantic Life
 70% had not been on a
date in the past 12months

3. Maritial Status
Married
17%
Never Married
15%
Divorced
36%
Widow ed
26%
NA
6%

4. Education Level
High School
40%
Vocat ional/ Cert if icat e
Program
7%
College
30%
Graduat e School
19%
NA
4%

5. Dating Status
Interested in Dating
22%
Not Currently Dating
32%
In a relationship
28%
NA
11%
Actively Dating
7%

6. Church Attendance
Weekly
77%
Monthly
9%
Not Very Often
7%
NA
7%
Never

7. Satisfied Romantically
NA
7%
No
52%
Yes
41%

8. Been on Date in past 12 months
Yes
24%
No
70%
NA
6%

9. HIV Test in past 12 months
Yes
35%
No
63%
NA
2%

10. Church activities for Older Adults
Yes
55%
No
41%
NA
4%

11. Dating Prospects
Yes
28%
No
61%
NA
11%

12. Does church have a responsibility to address the romantic
needs of Older Adults?
 Yes, the Church is
central outlet for
teaching and
ministering in the
community
 Older adult romance is
a reality, and the
Church should be
involved in all needs of
members
 Scripture speaks on
romance & intimacy,
so the Church should
do what it can to
educate members

13. Is condom use a factor in your decision to
have sex?
 Some older adults
don’t feel the need to
use condoms because
there is no worry
about pregnancy
 Many older adults
were not educated
about HIV and other
sexual diseases until
late in their life, if at all
 Most acknowledge it is
both the male and
female’s responsibility
to initiate condom use,
however some males
tend to feel the
females have more
responsibility

14. How do you reconcile your religious beliefs
and your desire for intimacy?
 Most older adults
indicated a belief that
sex should not be had
outside of marriage
 They indicated the
Church offers singles
ministries that discuss
intimate desires
 The primary method
of reconciling beliefs
with desires was
prayer for forgiveness
 No mention of
education about safe
practices or health
information