A Strong Marriage After 70: How Senior Couples Stay Connected in Community Living

To continue to have a strong marriage into your golden years, it is important to invest in your relationship with your spouse. Take note of some of the keys to a successful marriage and invest the time and energy needed to ensure your spouse feels loved and supported.

SeniorMatch reveals that approximately 40% of those older than 65 are single, meaning four in 10 seniors do not lead active love lives. While some seniors may have lost their spouse, others might simply never have found love strong enough to lead to marriage.

For seniors in Greer, SC, a strong marriage is crucial for navigating retirement together. Here are some key pieces of senior couples advice for keeping your marriage alive once you move to assisted living.

What Is a Strong Marriage?

A strong marriage can mean different things for every couple. However, some tenets are present in all lasting companionships. Generally, a strong marriage means that both parties feel comfortable and happy together, and potential conflict is minimized healthily and respectfully.

What Are the Seven Keys to a Successful Marriage?

So, how can you determine whether you have a successful marriage? Here are some factors to consider or work toward in your companionship.

1. Mutual Trust

Trust is essential for maintaining a healthy marriage. If you do not trust your partner, it can lead to resentment or suspicion. Always communicate if you feel that there has been a breach of trust, and work out what you or your partner can do to help you feel more secure.

2. Frequent Communication

Many marriages fail due to a lack of communication. One partner holds in their resentment, and eventually, it bubbles over into unmanageable conflict.

The solution? Communicate when you feel the need arise. Once you work out your feelings, explain them to your partner so you can find a solution together, rather than letting resentment and contempt eat away at you.

3. Respect

Mutual respect is one of the most important components of a strong marriage. If you and your partner do not respect each other, it can lead to severe conflicts or resentment down the road.

4. A Strong Friendship

While the romantic and intimate aspects of your marriage are important, the platonic elements are just as crucial in your golden years. Often, mobility limitations and health issues may keep senior couples from fully engaging in their romantic fantasies, which can cause sexual frustration in one or both parties.

Participate in activities and events within your senior living community that you are both interested in, such as art classes or game nights. Find other couples to connect with as well.

5. Keeping the Romance Alive

Even simple romantic gestures can make all the difference in elderly relationships. Get your spouse a bouquet or plan an intimate date night full of special activities.

6. Regulated Conflict

While conflict is inevitable in any relationship, how you resolve conflict sets the tone for your marriage. Rather than thinking of conflict as you versus your spouse, reframe it so that it is both of you against the problem. Work with a couples counselor if needed.

7. Creating Lasting Memories

Just because you are older does not mean your best days are behind you. Continue to create meaningful memories in assisted living by trying new things and enjoying your retirement to the fullest.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Some Date Options in Greer, SC?

While Greer is not as busy as nearby urban areas, such as Spartanburg and Greenville, there are plenty of opportunities for dates in Greer, SC, especially for seniors. Whether you are looking for an elaborate night out or an affordable activity, there are many options available.

Consider going to one of the many quaint restaurants available in historic downtown Greer, or simply take a stroll along the streets and do some window shopping. Visit one of the nearby museums or enjoy one of the city parks, if the weather permits.

Seniors can also enjoy date nights within TerraBella Thornblade. Our activity and events calendar offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy an experience with your spouse. Marriage is not just about passionate romance; it's also about having fun with your partner.

Is It Possible to Find Love Later in Life?

Absolutely. No matter your age, the possibility of love is still out there. In fact, it may be easier to prioritize your love life in senior living, as you will not have to worry about as many external stressors.

Senior relationships are often simpler to maintain because they do not involve careers or children. Those in assisted living communities such as TerraBella Thornblade can enjoy a relaxed lifestyle and focus on romance, rather than the hustle and bustle of family life.

Sometimes, seniors who have lost their spouses share a unique bond and end up connecting later in life. It is never too late for a second chance at romance, and an assisted living community can make it more achievable.

How Do I Maintain a Marriage When My Spouse Is in Memory Care?

It can be challenging to have a spouse who is in memory care, especially because memory care is reserved for those in the later stages of diseases such as dementia. Your spouse may not remember you or be prone to violent outbursts.

It is important to maintain normalcy when visiting your spouse in memory care. Bring items that they might recognize and make sure they know that they are loved, without crossing any unwanted boundaries.

Emotional Intimacy in Aging at TerraBella Thornblade

Maintaining a strong marriage into your senior year does not have to be a challenge. Using this guide, you and your spouse can thrive in marriage after retirement, whether it means discovering love in assisted living or companionship in care communities.

At TerraBella Thornblade, our dedicated staff members work tirelessly to cultivate an enriching environment for our assisted living residents. With plenty of activities and living options, chef-prepared meals, and weekly housekeeping, your relationship can continue to blossom at TerraBella Thornblade.

Would you like to learn more about all that our community has to offer? Contact us, or visit our beautiful campus in Greer, SC, to see it in person. Visit us today!