: Sex and the 60s-plus: Boomers are bringing summer of love-style change to intimacy in their older years

When Lisa Noll, 67, got divorced two years ago after 35 years of marriage, she thought relationships, romance and sex were a thing of the past. Now, shes in a relationship with a man 10 years younger and has what she calls a rich sex life.

I didnt think people had sex any more. I thought people got old and just stopped. Its like a big secret, said Noll, who splits her time between Colorado Springs, Colo., and Merida, Mexico. Im floored that I am having sex and a relationship and that its as good as it is. Im a lot more confident now and know what I want.

About 40% of people between ages 65 and 80 are sexually active, according to a survey from the National Poll on Healthy Aging, sponsored by AARP and the University of Michigan.

A Pew Research Center study found that the number of older Americans between ages 55 and 64 who had used an online dating website or app doubled between 2013 and 2015. Some dating sites, such as those run by AARP and OurTime, cater specifically to singles 50 years and older. Given that 45% of Americans older than 65 are divorced, separated or widowed, according to AARP, theres a lot of potential customers.

The baby boomers had to break down sexual barriers in the 60s and 70s and theyre silently doing it now. Theres a notion that if you turn 55, 60, 70, sex goes away. But it doesnt. People are living longer and theyre having sex longer, said John Portmann, author of the book The Ethics of Sex and Alzheimers and a professor of religious studies at the University of Virginia. There are celebrities like Jane Fonda who say theyve never stopped having sex. I think she sees herself as trying to liberate women and say that sex doesnt stop.