Senior Socialization

When Ken looks back on his life, a few things stand out, and define him. One is his heritage. Growing up in the Fruitvale neighborhood, he’s fiercely proud of his Latino roots and his culture. But then there’s also the two dominant institutions of his life: the US Navy and Oakland public schools. He spent years in the Navy before spending the rest of his career as an educator and administrator. So, after retirement, he found a way to combine two of his life’s driving forces.

Judy’s loved the smell of books since she was a child, her hours spent burying her nose in her favorite worn-out novel, turning the pages as if in a trance, far away from the real-world. Now in her late sixties, she relishes her time volunteering at the local library. Having grown up in Santa Clara, she knows the area like the back of her hand. Out of all her treasured spots, the library holds a special place in her heart. And these days, it’s where she finds herself most of the time—sorting books, discussing fundraisers, or chatting with folks about recommendations. The library has become her home away from home in this chapter of her life.

Loni listened empathetically while Mary shared her feelings of grief over recently losing her husband. The two women, both in their late sixties, had been meeting regularly since shortly after Loni had started her position as a volunteer counselor with Peninsula Family Services. Listening to her peers share personal stories about themselves gave her a new appreciation for her own life’s blessings. She looked forward to her ongoing talks with Mary each week, and seeing her progress as she navigated the grieving process.

Think back to your first kiss, or when you fell in love for the first time. There’s nothing like meeting a special someone to put an extra spring in your step, right? For many older adults, online dating is proving a fun and fast way to cultivate a growing social network—and increase the chances of developing a romantic relationship. Caregivers can support their loved one in navigating this world by helping them create a safe and effective dating profile, develop a sense for choosing potential matches, and what to do when it comes to meeting in person.