Exeter and Taunton Relate are calling on baby boomer couples to undertake a relationship check up to enjoy their retirement and later life together.
Manager Rebecca Wellaway says “ We are seeing an increase in couples from their mid -fifties upwards who have decided to move to the coast in North and East Devon and West Somerset for their retirement and have found the move difficult to cope with at this time of life”
Often, couples who have been visiting these areas for their summer holidays decide to move here permanently when they finish work. They found the area so relaxed and beautiful that they move here full time. This often means that they leave family and friends behind for an exciting new chapter together.
During a long cold winter this means they can feel isolated and only have one another for company. It is very different from the two weeks spent on the beaches.
One of the partners might miss their children, grandchildren, friends and ex colleagues more than the other and begin to question the decision they made to move.
This difference in feelings can lead to increased rows and unhappiness and, increasingly, separation. There is a rising divorce rate for the over 60s group. This when they both imagined they would be enjoying a carefree time together.
As Rebecca says “ The dream of a happy retirement by the sea does not always live up to expectation for one of the partners. We urge people in this situation to come to RELATE before it’s too late.”
For further information go to www.relateexeteranddistrict.co.uk or phone 01392 275681
If you need help with your relationships
The latest in the Mature Guide series the Mature Guide to relationships, love and sex is supported by Relate, the relationship people and written with Barbara Bloomfield, who is a Relate couples counsellor with 14 years of experience in the counselling field.
The guide is designed to help you nurture and develop existing relationships, or help you find new ones: whether that is a new partner or new friends and companions to become part of your life as you get older. It will:
- Show you how to make improvements to your relationships
- Invite those who are single to plan a future relationship
- Help those who feel nervous or lacking in self confidence
- Give practical, down to earth and humorous advice about sex, love and those bumpy bits of our relationships
To order your Guide
You can order your copy by either sending a cheque payable to Mature Times for £9.95 to Mature Times Guides, Unit 6, Railway Wharf, Station Road, Wrington, Bristol BS40 5LL.
If you would prefer to pay by either debit or credit card please call 01934 864410 during normal office hours and we will take your order details.
