160. How the new season of the Bachelor is changing mindsets about embracing romance in our older years

Aging in Style with Lori Williams

No matter your age, love is always possible. This sentiment is more front and center now than ever thanks to the new series The Golden Bachelor. This spinoff of The Bachelor is now one of the most watched premieres ever on Hulu, with tons of great feedback.

This show stars Gerry (pronounced Gary) Turner, a 72-year-old widower looking for his next great love as he dates a pool of beautiful, accomplished women in their 60s and 70s. It’s refreshing as it shines light on the senior population, which has been absent from reality TV up until now.

So what happens when an almost 60-year-old senior living expert sits down with an almost 30-year-old reality TV fan? Worlds collide and they discuss seniors dating on their screens. Senior Living Expert Lori Williams and Social Media Specialist Sarah Polan review the first episodes of this new show and connect it to larger truths about seniors.

Many factors can cause seniors to become lonelier as they age, like retirement or becoming widowed or divorced. Plus, kids may live further from home or are simply wrapped up in their own lives. But life doesn’t end as you age, and people need companionship. There are many instances where seniors have experienced a second (or third, or fourth) great love.

The Golden Bachelor is important because it shows seniors who still want to try something new, like learning Italian and going to Italy with that special someone. Plus, it depicts ladies who are confident and have experienced life. They’re self-assured and support each other instead of resorting to petty drama (as the younger series tends to do). It even normalizes hearing aids, as Gerry sports them himself, and depicts a sensitive man who is in touch with his emotions.

Finally, the message is also an important one: Tomorrow is not guaranteed, so live life today. And these inspiring seniors are doing just that!

Topics discussed:

- The Golden Bachelor

- Dating as a senior

- Second chance at love

- Seniors on Reality TV

- Widowers

- Hearing aids

- The Bachelor

Takeaways from this episode:

- Life doesn’t end as you age. Love is possible any time - even after losing your spouse.

- You’re never too old to try something new. Live life to the fullest.

- Some things never change: Women love to be told they’re beautiful at any age, and people love companionship.

- Many seniors live together rather than marry due to financial reasons, social security and the accumulation of their assets.

-Some senior communities are even hosting watch parties.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

More on the Golden Bachelor: https://abc.com/shows/the-golden-bachelor

To suggest a topic, be a guest or to support the podcast, please email [e-mail]

For more senior resources and to sign up to the newsletter, please visit:

https://www.facebook.com/LoriWilliamsSeniorServices/

https://www.instagram.com/theloriwilliams/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/theloriwilliams/

https://loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/