So what can a dance class do for a senior? There are three main benefits: fitness, improved memory and social interaction. Let me explain. The fitness should be obvious to anyone who has tried dancing for longer than five minutes. Even if you aren’t doing performance dance a social night of dancing will burn many more calories than a night in front of the TV! Dancing is particularly good for leg muscles and overall balance and coordination – key skills for aging well.

You may have heard the term “use it or lose it”. Well that applies to your mental faculties as well as your physical muscles. Many seniors do regular crosswords and board games to stay alert – but have you ever tried remembering dance steps? Yes dancing is great for keeping the gray matter operating and has even been claimed that it may help delay or prevent the on-set of diseases such as Altzeimers and Parkinsons.

Finally many older people struggle with social isolation – dance classes are an easy way to connect with like-minded people who often become friends. I’ve seen random groups of strangers who meet in dance class become firm friends organizing themselves regular outings – to go dancing of course!

Whichever way you look at it dancing will keep you fit, mentally alert and give you the chance to make new friends. In fact don’t tell too many people – otherwise the kids will be wanting to joining a dance class too! So pull on those dancing shoes and get out there and boogie!

If you are just starting to date again after years in committed relationship, it’s hard to be comfortable in the current dating scene. Boomers who haven’t dated for decades may be wary of going online to date. But even if you feel a bit awkward at first, you may find that online dating really isn’t all that difficult. Today’s technology can be used for all kinds of networking and communication including looking for companions or future life partners. While you may be a bit uncomfortable at some dating sites, there are many websites that cater to Baby Boomers and other seniors looking for love.

Looking for Love in the All the Right Places

Many Baby Boomers who are looking for dates often find browsing through online dating sites to be such an uncomfortable thing. Some do not trust the idea of meeting a person over the computer, and others simply are not used to using newer technology. But if you are a the least bit adventurous, you will probably enjoy trying online dating. As with most things online, it’s best to begin by visiting some of the more popular and reputable online dating sites.

Basically online dating sites operate bit like classified ads in newspapers but with a touch of smart technology. You can browse potential partners based on location, age, and, of course, sex. Some sites are free, others charge a one time or monthly fee.

One senior personals site available online is Senior Circle. It has thousands of listings that can make looking for that certain someone special a breeze, especially as the personals can be browsed based on interest or location. Other popular online sites for older people include Senior FriendFinder and SeniorMatch.

Beyond the Senior Sites

If you’re are willing to take a step outside your comfort zone, there are plenty of general dating sites. If you find the idea of meeting someone younger tempting, try a dating site that does not cater solely to the older generation. Some of the more popular dating sites (regardless of age) include OKCupid, Plenty of Fish, and Match.com. It’s probably not a good idea to use Craigslist or another strictly classified sites to find dates – at least at first.

If you want give online dating a whirl, begin visiting some of the dating sites listed here to get a feel for how it works. Online profiles are very important. Most women will probably want to avoid contacting the fellow who chooses “Horny Old Goat” as his screen name, and smart men won’t be so obvious. Look for someone you would like to have coffee with and just chat. Keep in mind safety issues and always meet at a neutral, well-frequented public location.

If you are concerned about safety issues, you may want to avoid free sites and go to sites like eHarmony. Whether you use eHarmony or not, it’s a good idea to read the its safety tips before signing up for any online dating service. Few dating sites, including eHarmony, conduct any kind of background check to weed out criminals and the like. However, offline dating is also without background checks unless your mother is setting you up with her bridge partner’s son or daughter.

With online help, many baby boomers are now in healthy and happy relationships. These seniors embraced technology and found love. Who knows, you too may find that special someone where you least expect it – online.