But here is a downside. Dating originating in cyberspace among the over-50 group and those embracing life to the fullest by engaging in consensual sex may be putting themselves in harm's way. Last summer a report in the British Medical Journal noted that some 80 per cent of men and women 50 to 90 are sexually active.
However, many in this group seem to feel that they are immune from sexually transmitted diseases, the incidence of which in this age group has more than doubled over the past 10 years. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also reported an alarming increase, particularly in states heavily populated by the retired set.
One of the most comprehensive surveys of sexual behaviour among older adults showed that 73 per cent of those 57-64 had sex during the past year, as had 53 per cent of those 65-74 and 26 per cent of those 75-85. The research was from a study of sexuality and health among older US adults as reported in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2007 headed by Dr Edward O Laumann. A distinguished professor and dean at the University of Chicago, he is an analyst for the Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behaviour, a survey of 27,500 men and women 40 to 80 in 29 countries.
In talking with Laumann regarding infidelity statistics, he pointed out a perplexing issue. Is it considered infidelity when one partner has no recollection of his or her spouse?
We saw a well-reported case of this with retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and her husband. She retired from the bench because of his worsening dementia. Then her son revealed that when they went to visit him at the nursing home, he was holding hands with another woman - his new love.
Gayle Appel Doll, director of Kansas State University's Center for Aging, has written Sexuality and Long-Term Care, published by Health Professions Press. It is a sensitive look at sexuality issues, staff attitudes and family influences. The book, which also addresses the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered residents in long-term-care facilities, includes questionnaires that might help this population and the baby boomers.
With or without sexual intimacy, healthy ageing can be embraced, according to Susan Krauss Whitbourne, a GSA session presenter for the Life Course Predictors of Later Life Well-Being and Health.
She says that in her research on long-term fulfilment in mid-life adults, published in her book, The Search for Fulfilment, she identified a developmental pathway from college to the 50s called "The Triumphant Trail''.
A University of Massachusetts at Amherst psychology professor, Whitbourne noted: "The men and women who managed to cope most successfully with adversity had, when they were in college, more optimistic personalities than their peers. Their scores were high on Erik Erikson's theory of trust, meaning that they had faith in their environment and felt that the world was a good place.''
We often read of the search for the fountain of youth. Perhaps the 60s flower children have found it through a positive attitude spiced with gratitude, laughter and a healthy dose of loving sex.
- SNS
