Dating in your 70s: never too late.

Love in your seventies.

There's a common idea that dating is something for younger people. It isn't. People in their seventies meet, fall in love, move in together or simply enjoy each other's company every day. What tends to change is what people are looking for: less about building a life together from scratch, and more about sharing the life you already have.

For some, that means a partner for trips and theatre outings. For others, it's someone to phone every evening, eat Sunday lunch with or walk the dog alongside. All of those are good reasons to date.

What people in their 70s often look for.

• Companionship. Someone to talk to, laugh with and share the small moments.
• Shared interests. Gardening, music, walking, travel, grandchildren, a love of good food.
• Independence. Many people want a close relationship while keeping their own home and routine, and that's perfectly fine.
• Kindness and honesty. At this stage of life, most people have little patience for games.

Being clear about which of these matter to you, on your profile and in conversation, saves time and helps you find someone who wants the same.

Red flags in your 70s.

"Dating in your 70s red flags" is searched for a lot, and it's right to be careful. Most people you'll meet are genuine, but romance scammers do target older people. Watch for:

• Any request for money, gift cards or bank details, whatever the reason
• Pressure to move the conversation off the site quickly
• Reluctance to video call or meet
• Very fast declarations of love
• Stories that change or don't add up

In everyday relationships, it's also worth noticing whether someone respects your time, your family and your independence. Our guide to dating red flags over 60 goes into more detail.

Talking to your family

Some people worry about what their children or grandchildren will think. Families often react with more warmth than expected, especially once they see you happy. You don't owe anyone a running commentary, but when something becomes serious, a relaxed introduction over a cup of tea usually goes better than a big announcement.

Making online dating easy.

If you're new to the internet side of things, don't worry. Over 60 Love works in the web browser you already use, on a phone, tablet or computer, with no app to download. The text on our pages starts large, and you can make it larger with the A buttons at the top of the screen. If you ever get stuck, our support team is available 24/7 by chat, phone and messaging.

First dates in your 70s.

Keep the first meeting simple and daytime: coffee, a stroll round a garden or a light lunch. Choose somewhere public, easy to reach and comfortable, with good seating and not too much noise so you can hear each other. Let someone you trust know where you're going.