Senior dating is a challenging subject as more people live longer and expect to have a social life. If you are past the age of retirement and single, do you know how to find a date?

Finding interesting people to go out with can be a problem at any age, but if you are a senior, where can you go and what can you do to meet someone? Never let your age keep you from having a social life if you want one. There are plenty of people to meet who want to meet you. Here are some dating strategies for seniors that will get you started:

*Friends and Family

One of the best ways to meet people is through friends and family. It is through networking that you get invited to weddings, graduations, reunions, parties, funerals, celebrations, anniversaries, religious holidays, work-related events, and other gatherings. Don't be afraid to let people know that you would enjoy meeting someone.

*Beliefs, Interests, and Hobbies

Attending your place of worship or volunteering for your favorite political candidate puts you in the arena of your strongly held values. People you meet in these places will hold many of the same convictions that you do. And what are your interests? Do you like to garden? Visit the home show or flower show in your area. Do you like to volunteer at the literacy center? Look for other interested people who do the same. Do you play tennis, swim, golf, or play bridge? You will find many like-minded people enjoying these same pursuits who may also be single and senior. What are your interests and hobbies? Look for clubs and groups that represent your interests. Follow that lead and it will take you to some new friends.

*The Internet

Having a computer is one of the most important connecting tools you will ever own. You can meet many, many other seniors who would like to chat, email, and meet you for a date. If you do not have a computer, you can use one at your senior center or at the public library. You can also find a used one reasonably priced in your local newspaper. If you need help learning how to use a computer, take classes for free at your local high school, college, religious group, senior center, or at your YMCA. Get a high school student, neighbor, friend or relative to take the time to show you how to use it. Ask around. Help is out there. Seniors can easily become isolated...especially if you are suffering any ailments. But the computer can keep you in touch with others. And it can keep you dating.

If you are a dating senior, you will find many people who are interested in meeting you. All you have to do is reach out and try. Don't give up.

Tonja Weimer

Tonja Evetts Weimer is a Master Certified singles relationship and life coach, speaker, syndicated columnist and author.

Tonja is a full time professional coach with a practice in Greenville, SC. She helps individuals, especially singles, re-craft their lives and find happiness and success in their career and relationships. Some of Tonja's professional activities include:

==> Syndicated singles relationship columnist, writing SAVVY DATING, a weekly column read by over a million readers in many U.S newspapers. Tonja's column addresses relationship and life issues of interest to all adults, but particularly to the over 110 million singles in the U.S. Tonja has also had articles published in New Woman, Hope, and House Beautiful magazines, and has won 3 Matrix Awards for her writing.

==> Motivational speaker, Tonja has been a keynote presenter at national and international conferences over the last 30 years.

==> Author of materials for educators and parents (7 books, six music albums and 2 videos), which have won 22 awards.

Some Speaking and Media Highlights:

==> Keynote speaker for 2004 Women?s Issues Network Conference, Sumter, SC.

==> Keynote speaker for 2002 Parents as Teachers International Conference, St. Louis, MO.

==> Keynote speaker for 1999 International Conference for Children & Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder.

==> Keynote speaker for 1998 European Education Conference, in Mannheim, Germany.

==> Keynote speaker in 35 U.S. states at educational conferences.

==> Presenter at the International Special Olympics in Notre Dame, at the request of Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

==> Created Space Songs for Children, at the request of NASA (album taken into space by astronauts three times.)

==> Appeared on CNN?s Showbiz Today and many other TV shows.

Educational and Professional Qualifications:

==> National Fellow (U.S. Dept. of Education.) M.A. in Human Development and Education, with an emphasis on creativity.

==> Master Certified Singles Relationship Coach, Relationship Coaching Institute.

==> Personal Life Coach, Graduate, Institute for Life Coach Training.

==> Member, International Coaching Federation