Love Blossoms Among The Young at Heart

But in other nursing homes the situation is the subject of intense debate. Many administrators and staff members object on religious grounds to single oldsters moving in with each other.
"Its just not morally right," one administrator who refused to be identified said.
One of the most devoted senior couples are Gladys Coopersmith, 91, a lifelong resident of Forest Hills, who met Robert Robinson, 87, of Kew Gardens, a year ago as residents of the Atria Retirement and Assisted Living facility in Kew Gardens.
"I met Gladys one morning at 5 a.m.," he said. "I couldnt sleep and bumped into her in the hall. I asked her if she played bridge. She did and our relationship developed"
Robinson calls his relationship with Gladys "extraordinary. What we have is so rare."
The couples live in separate rooms, but they live next door to each other.
Is Robinson planning to give her a Valentine gift?
"I told him no flowers or candy. He is already too generous," Gladys said. "He has already given me so much."
The loving couple shared copies of Robinsons letters to his Gladys:
"I just want to clarify my attitude toward our life together. You should know that I am 100 percent in favor of matrimony but I am fearful that some of my words might propel you into tying the knot when you are still dubious about it. I know you are more conservative in your thinking while I am more adventurous. Therefore the next move (if there is a next move) should come from you."
He even wrote Gladys daughter a letter explaining their relationship. The retired stock broker put it this way to her:
"Gladys represents the triumph of the human spirit. When I am with her I feel alive and age is irrelevant."
Mark A. Schneider, Atrias community relations director, said the couple are frequently seen cuddling and snuggling together and holding hands in the elevator."
He said a number of couples are dating and conducting a courtship.
"Most are interested in companionship and dont live together."
Gladys Coopersmith said she likes her relationship the way it is.
Another couple who flirt with each other and feel a bond are Irene Korr, "80-plus," and Ludwig Katz, 90. Irene lived for 27 years in Florida, was married for 49 years, and Katz, was a long-time Astoria salesman.
This couple met at the dinner table.
"I like him because hes a gentleman," Irene said.
Katz responds, "Shes a very nice person. We never had a fight."
Atria will celebrate Valentines Day on February 14 with a gala dinner.
At Castle Senior Living, romance is definitely in the air. Abe Peltz and Ann Munson are an item and its no secret at the facility.
"We met six months ago and we clicked, said Ann, 81, of Whitestone, who met Abe 86, a retired pharmacist, when he asked her to lunch.
Asked if theyre planning to exchange Valentine gifts, Ann said, "Im thinking about it."
On the bulletin board of one of Queens nursing homes is a poem by Marcia Woodruff that expresses the romance that is bred there:
"We come together as shy as virgins with neither beauty nor innocence to cover our nakedness, only these bodies which have served us well to offer each other.
"At 20, we would have dressed each other in fantasy, draping over the damp flesh, or turned one another into mirrors so we could make love to ourselves. But there is no mistaking us now. Our eyes are sadder and wiser."
Betty Friedan, the womens rights advocate and author, said in her book, "The Fountain of Age," that "ordinary men and women moving into their golden years are discovering extraordinary new possibilities of intimacy and purpose."
But she decries the fact that there are far more scientific studies dealing with aging males than those dealing with aging women."
She calls for more data to better understand the plight of older women.
But youd never know there was a problem if you visit the boroughs facilities for the aging where love and romance are in full blossom.
What about married seniors? How are they doing?
Dont be misled by rising divorce statistics. Seniors are sticking to their mates.
Assemblyman Mark Weprin of Bayside will officiate on Valentines Day as 35 couples married for 50 years or longer renew their marriage vows. The ceremony is scheduled at the Services Now for Adult Persons (SNAP) Senior Center at 80-45 Winchester Boulevard, Building #4 in Queens Village. He will present each couple with a New York State citation and a Valentines Day gift of chocolate to commemorate this milestone event.
"These exceptional couples, Weprin said, "are to be admired for demonstrating their love publicly. Their commitment to each other has sustained for so many years and they are an inspiration to all romantics."