Dating Older Men: 8 Things you Need to Know

...in my 20s, 30s and 40s I was hit on constantly by men my own age and those much older. I could have been as dumb as a bag of hammers but men would compete for attention. I knew that I was very attractive, but didn't rely on this in my dealings with men (especially in business environments)..... So, where are all the "older" men who so relentlessly pursued me when I was younger and, in my opinion, not nearly as interesting? All pursuing women in their 20s, 30s and 40s! I find myself suddenly "invisible" except to men who are retired (a lifestyle challenge since I work full-time) or in their 70s.

OK, OK, I know you young'uns are enjoying the geezer jokes, but let's just be clear: people are living longer lives, and most senior citizens do not develop dementia. And, no one knows how long anyone will live.


I've always been very conscious of this because of my mom's history. At 21, she married a healthy 23 year old. At 26, she was widowed when he died of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). She had spent the better part of 2 years caring for him as his body slowly deteriorated. At 33, she married a 50 year old. People told her she was going to end up taking care of him, and the younger brother of her first husband solemnly told her that there would be no physical relationship with a man that age (I was born two years later, and have always derived a certain satisfaction out of knowing that my existence proved him wrong, at least once - the guy's a bit of a jerk). They had 29 terrific years together, when Dad died suddenly. She never had to take care of him. Just goes to show, you never know.


I'm dating a 55 year old. Obviously, I don't know how long he will live, but I am enjoying making him, in his own words, " feel like a teenager " again.