Latest news with #SilverSingles
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
We found love online in our 80s. Here's what we want people to know about finding love again in your golden years
Is finding love possible after grief? Is it still possible to date in your golden years? For Dr. Gloria Horsley, finding love after loss came with it's fair share of heartache and life lessons. Five months after her husband died, she decided to try online dating. She met a man who she began golfing with and said it helped her with her grief. He eventually moved in with her, but their relationship came to an abrupt end when he left his house keys and a note on the counter and disappeared. "I was very hurt and angry at the time," Horsley a relationship therapist and psychotherapist in the U.S, said in an interview with Yahoo Canada. "Then I felt I could do something about it; I learned so much being with him." So, she decided to write a book for widows, including a chapter on online dating. "(Dating) is full of ups and downs, but at least you're feeling things again…you're then motivated to do something about what you're feeling... like go on another date. It just opens up a huge amount of possibilities in your world," said Horsley, who didn't give up on dating or meeting new people. Horsley and her partner Dr. Frank Powers, who's also a relationship therapist, have been together for two years after meeting on SilverSingles, an online dating platform for older adults. It has been a "miraculous" time for the couple who are both in their 80s. Powers said their relationship is something he believes is possible for other seniors to have too. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dr Gloria Horsley & Dr. Frank Powers (@goldendatingdoctors) In 2023, the couple released their book titled "Open to Love: The Secrets of Senior Dating," to encourage and help seniors navigate the dating scene, and learn how to find love again. "There are plenty of people out there... and online dating is one of the resources available to them now that was not available to them 30 years ago," Powers said. "If you're retired and you've got a more limited number of people you come in contact with, you do need something that's going to introduce you to people who you wouldn't normally meet, who are going to be good candidates," he added. Even though there are plenty of seniors looking for companionship, Powers said nobody mentions or talks about dating, be it online or otherwise. "People talk about joining a bingo group or getting a dog. A dog is wonderful, but it's not enough," said Powers. "Loneliness is the number one mental health issue." Loneliness and isolation in seniors have been linked to an increased risk of strokes, dementia, coronary heart disease, cancer mortality and premature death. Statistics Canada reported in July 2023 that almost one in five Canadian seniors (19 per cent) aged 65 and older reported experiencing loneliness in 2019 and 2020. "People who are in a relationship in their 60s, 70s and 80s live longer, so it's a very healthy and wonderful thing," said Powers. A dog is wonderful, but it's not Frank Powers According to Dr. Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz, directors of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, having close and healthy relationships, much like exercise and healthy eating, can have an impact on how long someone lives. It's a phenomenon both experts explore in their book called "The Good Life: Lessons from the world's longest scientific study of happiness." Amy D'Aprix, a Canadian gerontological social worker who operates a consulting practice, tells Yahoo Canada people who have good social support are less likely to end up in a nursing home. "That support has also been shown to have a protective factor against Alzheimer's disease," D'Aprix said, a fact also backed by the Alzheimer's Association. The association stated, "social engagement is associated with reduced rates of disability and mortality, and may also reduce risk for depression. Remaining socially active may support brain health and possibly delay the onset of dementia." D'Aprix added dating is about people seeking social support. D'Aprix said people assume seniors never want to have sex, which "isn't true, but is still a huge stereotype." There's also the stereotype of seniors being rigid and not flexible enough. "There is the idea that people are content that they've already had love and romance and they don't need it anymore... but we need connection and affection," the expert claimed. Horsley added some women may also not want to date again because they "don't want to be a nurse or a purse" for a man — but it doesn't have to be that way. "You can talk to people in advance that you want their kids to take care of them if they have health problems and what you're willing to do," said Horsley. "You don't have to do the same thing in this new relationship when you're a senior. You can change the paradigm." Horsley and Powers agreed the first principle in reentering the dating scene as a senior is to not give up as it will be a process, and a connection may not be found on the first date. "You do need to learn to become a good consumer and learn how to use the process of dating and become an expert," Horsley explained. The couple also suggested having a "dating buddy," like a grandchild or a friend who has experience with dating at an older age. "Don't go into your head alone," Powers advised. "Have some people who are going to support you through the good times and help keep your spirits up." Dating is full of ups and downs, but at least you're feeling things Gloria Horsley When it comes to online dating too, D'Aprix said safety is number one. Seniors should be very careful not to fall for scams, and having support is important in reducing the chances of that happening. "Not all dating is online, too. I would say let your friends know that you're interested in a relationship... or think about people in your past that you might have had a great connection with, but your lives went different directions," D'Aprix said. "It's not uncommon for people to get into relationships with people they dated or knew earlier in their life." Horsley and Powers said it's important for older adults to look at what they really want in a partner. Horsley explained when a person is younger they might want to go on hikes more, travel to Europe or have kids, but at an older age, things have changed. "Now you're saying I want someone who is financially responsible and takes care of their health," she said. "I knew I wanted somebody who golfs. I said (in my dating bio) 'if you don't golf, don't get in touch with me,' because really, why waste time?," she added. At a much older age, the couple said a person doesn't have as much time and "you want to make sure you use it well." "Don't see dates that don't go anywhere as failures. See them as almost experiences that you grow through and it gets you closer to knowing what makes you happy," Powers said. "You have to have some courage and persistence."
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘I'm selling my house': Texas retiree forced to return to work after losing $500K in investment-romance scam
Gary Dalrymple had just signed up for the dating site Silver Singles when Gianna, a pretty blonde female, responded to his smile emoji message, CBS News Texas reports. Immediately, from morning to night each day, the two texted, sharing things like their goals, family and life experiences. About two weeks into these all-day affairs, Dalrymple recalled Gianna asking if he knew anything about cryptocurrency. Feeling unpressured, he let her show him how to invest. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Home prices in America could fly through the roof in 2025 — here's the big reason why and how to take full advantage (with as little as $10) Americans with upside-down car loans owe more money than ever before — and drivers can't keep up. Here are 3 ways to cut your monthly costs ASAP Dalrymple said he saw his funds increase as the relationship continued for a couple of months. At that point, Gianna asked him to borrow more money and continue. And so, with his family and friends in the dark on both his relationship and investing, Dalrymple cashed out his 401(k). By the end, Dalrymple had lost about $500,000, which he plans to repay by coming out of retirement full-time and selling his home, he told CBS. 'It's kind of tough … Why me? Why didn't I catch this? Why was I so shortsighted?' Sure enough, when the Better Business Bureau's (BBB) Monica Horton inspected the website through which Dalrymple saw his investments grow, she confirmed it was fake. It turns out Gianna isn't who she said she was but, instead, likely a group of scammers trying to steal from him, Horton explained. The scam Dalrymple experienced is a blend of romance-investment fraud, noted by Horton and the BBB's 2024 Scam Tracker Risk report. Investment was the top BBB-reported scam last year, with cryptocurrency involved in almost half (45.3%) of those reported. According to the study, investment and romance scams are some of the riskiest scams reported by consumers, with over 80% of those targeted in investment and cryptocurrency scams reporting monetary losses of a median of $5,000. What's more, the report reveals that 26.2% of those who reported investment/cryptocurrency scams said their scammer spent time building a romance or a friendship before taking their money. Read more: An alarming 97% of older Americans are carrying debt into retirement — here's why and 4 simple things you can do if you're stuck in the same situation Financial grooming is when a scammer builds a relationship with their potential victim before executing the scam. Investment/cryptocurrency and romance/friendship scams are two types of this behavior, often leaving victims confused and devastated. The good news is there are red flags to watch for: Relationship and trust building can take a while (weeks or months). During this time, the scammer will likely avoid communicating through any trusted or secure sites and apps or on the phone, and they won't show their face on video calls, as Dalrymple experienced. At this point, mentions of their financial success are typical and, eventually, victims are encouraged to try investing — usually in cryptocurrency, which Horton said crooks like to use, because, as she explains, 'it's untraceable, just like handing cash to a stranger.' These requests can seem small and insignificant at first but build up over time. As victims' investments grow, scammers will encourage even more investment of larger sums — until it's too late and the money is lost to theft via a fake platform. Victims of financial grooming are likely to be retargeted since scammers flag them as those who gave them money, Horton cautions. 'These fraudsters are going to continue to try and trick you and get more and more money.' More recently, scammers have been hiring people and only paying in cryptocurrency. Workers must first make deposits to their new cryptocurrency account, but they can't access employment earnings until more funds are added or other charges are paid. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Protect your retirement savings with these 5 essential money moves — most of which you can complete in just minutes This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Sign in to access your portfolio
CBS News
05-03-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Crypto-romance scam costs North Texas man almost everything: "I took out my 401k"
It started with a "smile." Gary Dalrymple said he had just signed up for the dating site Silver Singles when a beautiful blonde woman named Gianna responded to the emoji he sent to her account. He invited CBS News Texas and the Better Business Bureau to his home to tell the rest of the story. Dalrymple said the pair began chatting, and soon they were trading texts all day long. "It was about family, 'what are your goals, what do you want to do, where have you been,'" he recalled. "And we talked every day from 7:30, 8 in the morning - we texted until 9, 10 at night." They had been talking for about two weeks when Dalrymple said Gianna asked him if he knew anything about cryptocurrency. He said she did not pressure him into making investments but showed him how and left it up to him. "So anyway, this went on for a couple months, and we started making money," Dalrymple said. "And she said, 'can you borrow more money and get into this,' so I took out my 401k." Monica Horton with the Better Business Bureau asked Dalrymple if he told any friends or family about the relationship or the investing. "No, nobody else knows I'm even doing this," he said. When he showed us the site where he watched his money grow, Horton said it was fake. "This is kind of a blend of a romance and an investment scam," she said. A recent BBB study found that more scammers are striking up relationships online to lure people into fake investing opportunities. Nearly half of all investment scams reported to the BBB involve cryptocurrency. A new BBB study found that investment scams were the number one most reported scam last year. In one in four cases, the scammer spent time building a romance or friendship with the victim. According to the study, investment and romance scams top the charts for monetary loss. It's not always romantic, though. Horton said that sometimes the scammer starts a platonic friendship before mentioning crypto possibilities. "The crooks like to use crypto because it's untraceable," said Horton. "Just like handing cash to a stranger." Dalrymple still spoke of Gianna as if she were real, though Horton believes it was likely a sophisticated group of scammers. "More than likely, it's a person who works for a very involved crime ring," said Horton. "They are probably operating 20 to 25 different personas, communicating with 20 to 25 folks like Gary." She had a warning for him: the scammers will likely return. "You are now on a list of someone who gave them money, and they are going to share that information," said Horton. "These fraudsters are going to continue to try and trick you and get more and more money." Now, Dalrymple says he sees the red flags. Gianna never wanted to speak on the phone, and the one time they video chatted, he could only see her hair. Soon after they began chatting, Gianna convinced him to communicate outside the dating site, using only the Telegram app. Horton said in doing so, it avoided protections built into the dating site, and it gave the scammers direct access to Dalrymple in case Gianna's account was flagged. Dalrymple also learned how to reverse search an image, which is how he discovered Gianna's photo actually belonged to a woman with a large following on an online streaming platform. Dalrymple said he's out about half a million dollars. He's now selling his home and plans to come out of retirement and get a job to help pay down his debts.
