Looking for love as you get older can be a mix of excitement and anxiety. The dating scene has changed a lot since your first date, but it's possible to have fun and find someone you want to spend time with when you're dating in your retirement years. Use these tips to improve your dating and stay safe as you meet new potential love connections.

1. Consider Your Needs and Wants

It's important to go into dating knowing what you want. Perhaps you're just looking for companionship, or you might be looking for marriage. Decide what characteristics and preferences are important to you in a date. For instance, if you're an active person, you might want to date someone who also enjoys spending time on the move. If your faith is an important part of your life, you might want someone who also prioritizes their prayer routine and faith. It's important to know what's a nonnegotiable characteristic and what would be nice to have but isn't a dealbreaker. This makes it easier to navigate dating.

2. Keep an Open Mind

Not every date will turn into a long-term relationship. You might need to go on lots of dates before you find someone you're interested in seeing again. While you shouldn't compromise your standards, it's also important to keep an open mind. Focus more on having fun getting to know someone and doing enjoyable activities together, rather than worrying about whether it's a love match. Give people a chance, even if they might not be exactly what you thought you wanted. You might consider people who aren't normally your type physically or who are outside your normal age range for dating. Also, keep in mind that what you think you want when you start dating could change as you start meeting people.

3. Communicate Clearly

Open and honest communication with the people you meet and date establishes your expectations early. It can save you time and avoid potentially awkward situations if you're looking for different things. Avoid playing games or sending mixed messages to potential dates. Being forward about how you feel about different aspects of dating before you go out can avoid an uncomfortable conversation in the moment. You should also expect clear communication from your dates.

4. Explore Your Interests

Pursuing your hobbies in retirement can be a good way to meet people. Joining groups or participating in activities you enjoy makes you happy, which shows off the best version of yourself. That can help attract people who like your energy. At the same time, you know the other people who are participating have at least a mild interest in the activity. It gives you a good starting point for conversation and could be a potential date activity for you in the future. You'll also meet people you might not otherwise interact with in your life.

5. Consider Other Ways of Meeting People

If you want to date in retirement, you have to put yourself out there to meet other people. That can be challenging, but there are several ways to do it. You might find someone who'd be a fun date among your neighbors at The Gardens. Getting involved with the many available activities and amenities can help you meet your neighbors. Other ways to meet people include:

• Introductions from friends and family
• Church events
• Social gatherings
• Volunteer opportunities
• Online dating sites

Decide what type of options you're comfortable with. Some people are hesitant to meet strangers online and might want to avoid dating sites and apps, for instance.

6. Proceed With Caution

Dating can be fun, but it also comes with risks. Not everyone is trustworthy, and some people use dating as a way to scam others. Use these dating safety tips before you get too serious with anyone:

• Limit the personal information you share with the other person, including your address.
• Search for the person online and on social media platforms to look for inconsistencies.
• Consider starting with a video chat before meeting in person to make sure the person matches their photos if you meet them online.
• Meet your dates in busy public places until you're sure they're safe.
• Let someone else know where you're going.
• Limit alcohol consumption on dates to stay aware of what's happening.
• Listen to your gut if the person seems suspicious or asks odd questions.

7. Maintain Your Boundaries

Dating when you're older often means the selection is smaller. It could be tempting to waver on your boundaries if you find someone who interests you. However, it's important to maintain those boundaries. You'll feel better about the situation if you honor what's important to you. Letting someone persuade you to do things you don't want to do can set the tone for the relationship and cause them to continue pushing your boundaries. While your opinions and boundaries can change as you start dating, make sure it's your decision to change them and not the other person's.

8. Take Your Time

Don't rush into a serious relationship with anyone you date. You might feel like you're running out of time, but jumping into something serious can cause you to overlook red flags. Give yourself time to learn about the person and make sure they're a good match. Let things unfold naturally to build a solid relationship.