The 2004 study focuses on almost 1,700 adults ages 45 and older and measures attitudes and other factors affecting their health, sexuality, and quality of life. It offers frank viewpoints and revelations of three-quarters of the 78 million Baby Boomers -- women and men ages 45-59 -- as well as individuals in their 60s, 70s, and older.

What has changed since the 1999 study? For starters there is more use of sex-enhancing drugs and greater openness to speaking to health professionals about this sensitive health topic.

   * More people now report consulting health professionals than any other
     single source of information (37% up from 26% in 1999).  Books were the
     top choice in 1999 and now place second at 30%.
   * More than twice as many men as in 1999 report ever using some type of
     drugs or treatments to address problems with sexual performance
     (22 percent, up from 10% in 1999).
   * More respondents now agree that sexual activity is a critical part of a
     good relationship -- 60 percent compared to 55 percent in 1999.

"If I could highlight one significant change from over the past five years, it would be the greater willingness of midlife and older adults to discuss sex as a health issue with their health professionals," said Linda Fisher, research director at AARP. Professionals have long known that sexual dysfunction is not only a major problem for relationships and mental health, but can be a marker of life-threatening physical health issues, especially heart disease.

"We also know that healthy and physically active respondents are generally more satisfied with their sex lives than those with a medical condition. Thirty-one percent of men said better health for themselves would increase their satisfaction with their sex life and 23% said better health for their partner would increase their satisfaction," she said.

And speaking of partners, there has been a "re-awakening" for many women. Thanks to their male partners' use of drugs women in all age groups reported that their own sexual satisfaction was enhanced. "We found that women are pleased with their mates' newfound ardor, debunking the cultural stereotype that older women aren't welcoming of intimate and sexual relationships," said Hugh Delehanty editor in chief of AARP The Magazine.

However, despite many respondents' progressive feelings about sex, most remained steadfastly traditional when it came to fidelity. More than 95% of all respondents said that they did not approve of any form of extramarital sex without a partner's consent.

They also agree with their Mom and Dad that today's popular culture puts too much emphasis on sex.

"Although many boomers came of age during the sexual revolution, we shouldn't necessarily see a contradiction in their attitudes toward fidelity," said Delehanty. "Boomers are open about sex, but, it is important to remember that this survey also found many saying that good spirits, good health, close ties with friends and family and spiritual well-being were more important to their quality of lives than sex. And marital infidelity often undermines all of these things," he said.

   Other notable findings:
   * Sixty-three percent of men and women with partners described themselves
     as either "extremely satisfied" or "somewhat satisfied" with their sex
     lives.
   * Nearly one third of men and women with partners ranked their sex life
     somewhere between "yawn" and "bloody awful."
   * Still, mediocre sex was better than none at all.  Almost 40 percent of
     men without regular sex partners and 15 percent of women without
     regular sex partners rated their sex lives at the bottom of the
     satisfaction scale.

In addition to the landmark study and supporting articles in the magazine, AARP The Magazine relationship advice columnist Sallie Foley has written Sex & Love for Grownups: A No-Nonsense Guide to a Life of Passion. The book is based on the thousands of letters that the magazine receives from readers looking for advice in their love lives. Excerpts from the book can be found on http://www.aarpmagazine.org/ along with column archives, a personal ad maker, forums, and audio and video clips from long-married couples.

AARP commissioned TNS NFO from March-April 2004 to conduct a survey of adults 45+ to understand the factors affecting sexuality and the quality of life of mid-life and older adults. The survey was conducted by a combination of telephone and mail methodologies. The total number of respondents nationwide was 1,682 from the general population sample and 1,248 from the augment samples.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and our website, http://www.aarp.org/ . AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Source: AARP Texas

CONTACT: Carole Barasch of AARP Texas, +1-512-480-2436

Web site: http://www.aarp.org/
http://www.aarpmagazine.org/