Love, Later In Life

The original documentary explores how four older couples: Ethel (82) and Hugh (93), Lynn (48) and Clarence (69), Sharon (70) and Gordon (65) and Linda (62) and Ray (63), met and fell in love — and how incredibly meaningful is to have and find companionship at any age. It shows the power of new love isn’t just for the young.

One couple met at their retirement home, another at the golf course, and another through a speed dating session. And one couple reunited after being apart for 40 years!

We asked Canadian TV journalist and host Jojo Chintoh a few questions about the documentary:

What prompted you to make this documentary?

This was the result of a discussion about developing programming for Zoomers I had last summer with John Thornton, Vice-president, Zoomer Media, a former colleague at CITYPULSE NEWS. Love Later in Life was one of the proposals I sent to him. I got the idea from my good friend, Lincoln Alexander, former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, when he announced last year he was marrying a younger woman. Linc and I live in Hamilton and we see each often. He’s like a big brother to me. I noticed the change in his attitude and behaviour. He seemed more energetic and vibrant. He is 90-years-old and, I think, his wife is thirty years younger. Unfortunately, Linc’s new bride didn’t want to share their story, but we found many couples willing to share their stories as inspiration to others. I owe all the couples a ton of gratitude. Frankly, it was a lot of fun.

What did you learn from the couples you interviewed?

The capacity to love does not diminish with age. Age is not a barrier to a loving partnership. Falling in love or being in love helps one stay engaged physically and, more important, mentally. That, in turn, enhances one’s life as one gets older. Makes aging, with all its inevitable aches and pains, more fun.

What was the biggest surprise/shock from everything they revealed?

Not much surprises or shocks me anymore. But I’ve got to tell you, I heard a story about a gentleman close to a 100 at the speed dating with his walker, asking the women to go upstairs to his room with him. And I thought to myself: That’s my kind a man. When I grow up I want to be just like him.

Have you experienced love later in life?

Yes, many times. Don’t tell my wife. We’ve been married for almost 40 years. Her hearing is shot, so is mine. So we yell at each other a lot. Problem is, we don’t know what the other person is saying. Time for a hearing aid — just kidding! She’s absolutely wonderful. I still love her very much — and don’t know what I would do without her. I’m lucky.

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Advice for older singles looking for love?

Don’t give up. A good loving partner will take you a long way.

Will there be more episodes of Love, Later in Life?

I hope so, because there are a lot of inspiring stories out there.

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Tune into Love, Later in Life:

VisionTV: October 1 at 2:00am ET
Rogers 60 (GTA) & 237 (Digital); Bell TV 261; Shaw Direct 394/72; or check your local listings

Rogers Digital 265; Bell TV 606; Shaw Direct 225/575