Elder Care Cafe

Recently someone sent me an email asking if I would link to their site. When someone asks me that I always check out the site to see if it is something I would want to promote. In this case, she was honest about the fact that it was a website directed specifically to seniors who might want to find someone to date through online resources. What I am going to talk about today is how important it is that we beware of senior dating sites, and we check them out thoroughly before we recommend them to our older loved ones.

Believe me when I say that I am all for aging baby boomers, senior citizens, or whatever term you want to use, dating. This article is not about whether they should date or not. The problem lies in the type of websites that seniors may be drawn to because they look nice, they look safe, or the webmaster writes well and sounds friendly and welcoming.

The problem, however, is that in this case she had quite a number of links to various websites that were related to dating. And at least of few of them I wouldn’t recommend to anyone, least of all seniors who may innocently (or not) click on the links and get involved in behavior they should not be involved in at their age – especially if their family members don’t know they are on these sites.

I’m probably coming across as a prude, but that’s okay. Here’s why:

One of the sites was for people who were specifically looking for one night stands! What? Is that really the type of site we want to suggest our elderly loved one check out? Not in my family!!!

Another site was for those who are married who wanted to meet and get together with someone else for a secret affair. Are you kidding me? I’m supposed to provide a link on this site that will encourage adultry? Again, no way!!!

What if your loved one went out on a website like that, met someone online who wanted to meet in person, then were robbed or harmed in some way? Wouldn’t you feel pretty awful if you encouraged them to go online to look for a date? I know I would.

That’s why you will never see links on this site that point seniors or even younger baby boomers to anything that I personally would not get involved in, nor would I want any of my family members getting involved in no matter how old they are.

If that’s your inclination, then that is your business. However, I’m going to do my part to keep this site clean and will only promote websites that are healthy in body, soul and spirit.

That’s why I say all of us should beware of senior dating sites, especially if our seniors have problems with their memory because of  dementia,  Alzheimer’s, or as the result of a stroke. There are enough wolves in sheeps clothing waiting to take advantage of our seniors – we certainly don’t need to help point the way to possible problems through this type of website.

I welcome your thoughts and comments about this issue.