Sexlife, in our seventies

Just because there is no snow on the roof, doesn't mean the boiler has gone out.

More people are living young longer and demanding a better quality of life in later years, so it doesn't make sense that as a society we should avoid being judgemental and disapproving of sexuality among Elders. I recognise that sex is a source of pleasure and comfort no matter how old a person my be.

Don't let the wrinkles fool you, you'll be surprised what we older folk get up to!

I only take Viagra when I'm with more than one woman.
Jack Nicholson 

Family discussions I've had with people in their seventies and eighties and beyond, it is clear that for many of them sexuality ranks pretty high on the list of priorities. Some may want it more others, some are actively looking for a partner and many long for information about sexuality in a particular age, and how to navigate bodily issues that can make sexuality a bit more challenging in the latter years.

The movies at all about romance between young people. There seems to be a little recognition that older people could be having the same feelings, let alone be acting on them. But my friends and I (mainly single at this point) are interested in similar things, we mainly kept quiet about it, because you don't want to shock our kids.

Many people in their seventies and beyond have complained to me they were there they would like to be taken more seriously as sexual beings.

The young people get all the attention, don't they? When I have sexual feelings I feel as though I shouldn't be having them and as I am an aberration, that I should stop all this nonsense and focus on knitting. At 78 my eyesight is too poor for knitting now, but it doesn't hinder me when I have relations.

There's one gentleman here and in our senior residence who's quite a wolf. He chases all the ladies and doesn't want to take no for an answer. Some of the ladies flirt back, but I wouldn't want to be sought cheap.

Many people in their seventies are sexually active. By that I mean they enjoy at least some aspect of sexuality such a self pleasuring, sensual-touch (genital or otherwise) intercourse with others and many other kinds of sexual contact. But not everyone valuse sex at this or any other stage and of course, it is perfectly possible to have a happy life and a good relationship without it.

Sex is off my radar, I'd rather finish the crossword puzzle.

The specifics of sex may seriously vary as we age, but it is still possible to enjoy it as an important aspect of our connection with others and a healthy, lifelong source of pleasure and effort.

One of my lady friends said 'You're a dirty old man (we were in bed at the time and she was giggling and she said it). I said, I may be a dirty but you're nearly 70 what does that make you? She thought for a moment and then she said I am a SOW. A sexy old woman,she replied, I just made that up.

Masturbation is common and a useful form of sexual expression to people in their seventies and older.

Don't knock masturbation, Its sex with someone I love.
Woody Allen 

For example, if one partner wants to be sexual but the other one doesn't there's no reason why the less interested party cant hold the other while they're bringing themselves to climax. In fact this is something that could happen any age for women with partners. Women who think they might want to have intercourse at some point in the future and need to keep their vaginas from atrophy, by using a penis shaped vibrator with a clitoris stimulator may be a good solution.

I hope my kids never find my stack of sex toys ,I feel putting them in a box labeled 'censored' in the event of my death, 'open at your peril'.

My yoga teacher is my inspiration, he Swedish 6 foot 4 inches. And to say he is a sight for sore eyes is an understatement. He gets pretty warm in the room and after 15 minutes his shirt is damp and he is sweating so much every muscle in his body is defined and popping out. I put my mat near the front of the room so I can see him, even smell him, is better. As I get home I think about him but I use my vibrator. That class is worth every penny.

At 78, I definitely don't advertise my sexuality as far as my family is concerned, I'm quite sure that if my children knew how hot and heavy Burt and  I get, they would be quite shocked.

Dr Pamela Stephenson Conolly