Single and Over 50

Over the past few months, I’ve found myself chatting to a lot of people, men and women, who find themselves single and over 50. Most are out there in the dating world, using apps or social media connections, seeking to find a spark that will find them in love.

It is often a fascinating conversation with emotions ranging from frustration to discouragement to a dismissal of the possibility of ever successfully finding a mate.

It is a different game for the over 50’s. No longer are they seeking to find a mate to settle with and create a family. That drive to pro-create is not there. Many are also badly bruised from a traumatic break up of a previous relationship. Others are fearful of creating more of the same by repeating the mistakes of the past.

Then of course is the challenge faced by many with scammers waiting behind attractive profiles on dating sites, waiting for a vulnerable person to stop by and connect.

I guess the bottom line here is that many people over 50 are going home alone every night. Many are completely fine with it. Many are not but protest that they are. And many are downright lonely.

From a wellbeing perspective, this is a serious situation. Many of these people are drinking too much and many are getting involved in risky behaviours online.

As an employer, you are not responsible for what people do in their own time, but it could well be in your interests to extend your care a little further to see if there is a problem and then facilitate some support for your employee.

And it could very well be someone in senior management. Nobody is immune to this situation.

You might recall I published an article a while back titled “Learning By Dating” which gives people guidance and tips as to how to more effectively and safely navigate the online dating world.

When you get a moment, check in on your “single” team members. It will be beneficial to check that they are ok.