While Murray says the reasons for each connection are as varied as the individuals involved, some aspects of relationships among older people differ from those of their younger counterparts. Money issues crop up in different ways. Some older couples will refuse to marry in order to prevent problems with insurance policies, government health benefits or inheritance. At times, family members who have decided that a companion is only after money will try to pressure older relatives to reject their new loves. The focus on companionship is also more pronounced among older people.
Gender roles are more defined.
And decades of following a certain routine can create more friction. It's more mature. For residents of the Oakland home, whose median age hovers between 85 and 87, a companion can be a welcome relief from isolation. Couples will talk, eat meals, listen to music and play cards together. Sometimes, they just like to hang out.