Want to live? More than half of people over 75 say they want to remain sexually active … and two-thirds of Generation Z say they want to continue having sex as they get older, new data shows

According to a survey, older Britons do not expect their advancing age to slow them down in the bedroom.

A total of 53 percent of those over 75 said they wanted to remain sexually active in old age, the study found.

Those aged 66 to 74 have similar wishes: 51 percent want to continue their sexual activities in old age. In the 55 to 65 age group, the figure is as high as 62 percent.

And almost two-thirds of Generation Z (61 percent) did not consider it an embarrassing topic, but insisted that they would still have sex when they were older.

The results are based on a survey conducted by the care provider Home Instead among over 1,000 adults of all ages.

Men attach greater importance to remaining sexually active in old age: 74 percent of respondents wanted this, compared to 49 percent of women.

Although sex was an option, fewer respondents were interested in dating as they got older. Less than half of those over 55 said they would be interested in dating even if they were single.

The majority (60 percent) of all age groups believe that remaining sexually active will benefit their mental health as they age.

Commenting on the results, Martin Jones, managing director of Home Instead, said that overall the survey showed that society needs to rethink its expectations of old age.

“The old people are getting younger,” he said. “By that I mean that as people get older, their feelings change and they increasingly prefer a lifestyle that is completely different from the traditional image of old age.”

“Our image of pensioners whose horizons are limited to a bit of daytime television and a cup of tea simply does not stand up to closer scrutiny.

“Age is a biological reality, but it is also a social construct. People no longer have to let it limit them as much as they once did.”

Stella Ralfini, a 77-year-old tantric sex expert, said the importance of a good sex life in old age cannot be underestimated.

“It’s one of the things that makes me feel young,” she said.

“I like to see my lover twice a week and we make love every two weeks. But if we go away for a week, we’ll probably go a little longer. Evening dates aren’t just for young people.”

“It’s still a wonderful feeling to know that you are desirable.”

However, she said there was a need to educate older Britons about what sex and intimacy can be.

“It’s about playfulness and other ways to achieve an orgasm that is enjoyable for both of you,” she said.

One activity that all couples should enjoy is cuddling naked together in bed.

“You don’t have to do all the things you might think, just the caresses, the affection,” she said.

“There are many ways to maintain intimacy, and intimacy is very important to keep older people ‘young.’”

And although she insists she is a fan of men, Ms Ralfini said male lovers her age need to be especially thoughtful about sex.

“It would be wonderful if men in their 60s could be retrained,” she said.

“Men are very attached to what’s in their pants, but they don’t understand enough about foreplay.”

“Viagra doesn’t work on older men, and on older women the last thing they want is to have something thrust into them for hours.”

Sex and intimacy have been shown to improve our heart health, reduce stress, and improve mental health by reducing depression and anxiety.

The NHS and charities representing older Britons have long taken the view that getting older does not mean giving up pleasure or intimacy.

But for older Britons this can present obstacles, whether they are trying to navigate the world of sexuality again after the loss of a long-term partner or seeking help for health problems that are affecting their sex life.

In men, this may be erectile dysfunction, and in women, it may be the possible changes in sexual desire after menopause, which occurs on average between the ages of 45 and 55.

Other problems, such as arthritis, while not gender-specific, can significantly impact older people’s enjoyment in the bedroom.

Some older British people feel embarrassed about seeking medical help for sexual problems, especially if it is the first time in their lives.

However, they are strongly advised to consult their GP if they have any concerns about their sexual health, and doctors themselves are urged not to underestimate this aspect of older people’s health.

While sexual wellbeing is seen as a boon to the health of older Britons, it is of course not without risks. Experts warn that older people may underestimate these risks.

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According to official data, the second highest increase in sexually transmitted diseases last year was among pensioners aged 65 and over: the number of new infections here rose by almost a fifth to 2,885.

Figures show 558 cases of gonorrhoea in this age group in 2023, a 44 percent more than the 387 cases recorded in 2019.

The chlamydia rate also rose last year by more than a third (39 percent) to 770.

Experts had previously blamed the rise of “silver swipers” for the increase, as dating apps such as Tinder and Hinge supposedly allow older people to meet new sexual partners more easily than before.

Another reason for the increase may be the lack of awareness about the use of condoms to prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. Some older people even forgo condoms because they are not worried about unwanted pregnancies.

Views on sex were just one aspect of Home Instead’s New Ageing Index.

66 percent of respondents said they believe a healthy diet and exercise are a way to maintain youth. 67 percent of the oldest respondents said they are convinced that medical advances will further increase life expectancy in the near future.

In addition, 89 percent of older Britons, i.e. those over 75, want to remain physically active.