Care Home Residents Solve The Biggest Dating Dilemmas | Valentine’s Day 2025

Care home residents across the UK have shared their ultimate relationship advice to celebrate Valentine's Day 2025.

We analysed the most frequently asked questions across online relationship advice forums to uncover the nation's most common relationship dilemmas. To help solve these, we’ve partnered with care home residents acting as Agony Aunts and Uncles, sharing their hilarious and heartwarming wisdom for lasting love.

Care Home Residents Answer The UK’s Most Asked Dating Dilemmas Of 2025

21st-century dating comes with numerous challenges. From endless swiping and the pressures of navigating relationships in the digital age, young people often find themselves looking for the answers to their dating dilemmas.

To reveal the most common dating dilemmas in 2025, we turned to Reddit’s Relationship Advice community. One of the platform’s most active forums, over 15 million members discuss modern-day dating here. We analysed 1,200 posts from active users to uncover the biggest concerns younger generations have about love today, ranging from first-date etiquette to keeping the romance alive.

However, rather than solely rely on these discussions, we decided to turn to those with a lifetime of experience - care home residents. With decades of long-lasting relationships and marriages, they are the true relationship experts.

1. How should I act on a first date?

Our analysis revealed that first date etiquette is the UK’s most frequently asked dating dilemma, with over 200,000 online searches for ‘first date advice’ in the last 12 months.

Eileen and Peter

When it comes to paying for the bill, 96-year-old Eileen, a resident at Beaconsfield Heights Care Home in Beaconsfield, believes that “the gentleman should always pay on a first date”. Meanwhile, 87-year-old Peter (resident at Woodlands Care Home in Westhoughton) warns to “stay away from women; they cost you a fortune”.

Pat and Philip

Many care home residents we spoke to shared the importance of enjoying yourself on a first date. 85-year-old Pat advised: “Make sure you fancy them!” before going on a first date.

At Eden Manor Care Home in Carlisle, residents believe a nice dinner makes the perfect first date. 78-year-old Philip shared: “Go for a nice meal and enjoy a bottle of red”.

Joan and Betty

First dates can be daunting. However, 78-year-old Joan said that dates are about getting to know the other person. “You should make conversation and ask them questions.”

96-year-old Betty jokingly shared: “Wear your clean knickers, if you’re lucky”.

2. How can I keep the romance alive in my long-term relationship?

Advice on keeping the romance going comes in second place. In the last year, more than 5,000 people have asked for tips on how to keep the spark alive in a long-term relationship.

Norman and Betty

Norman and Betty have been married for 66 years and now live together at Blossomfield Rose Care Home in Solihull. Norman shares that the secret to keeping your wife happy is to follow three simple rules: “Hold hands, buy the lady some flowers, and ALWAYS show respect for their age.”

Dougie

Residents at Droitwich Mews Care Home in Droitwich Spa have more humorous advice for younger generations regarding keeping the spark alive. They believe absence makes the heart grow fonder. 91-year-old Dougie shared: “Sometimes distance is best for keeping your wife happy.”

Alan and Trudy

Alan and Trudy, a married couple at Middleton Lodge Care Home in Derby, have learnt that one key to a long-lasting relationship is “learning when to keep your mouth shut,” joking that “you can get fed up at times.”

Peter and Eileen

Peter and Eileen are also married residents at Middleton Lodge, having tied the knot in the summer of 1958. They say that “accepting each other's weaknesses” is essential for a long-lasting relationship. They also say that to keep the romance alive, you should “know what your partners need and accept them for who they are.”

3. How do I stop nagging my husband to help with the housework?

Unsurprisingly, one of the most common relationship dilemmas is related to housework and sharing responsibility for everyday chores.

Sue

When asked how you can get your husband to help with the housework, 76-year-old Sue advises younger generations should “just ask him. I’m sure he would help!”.

Jean

96-year-old Jean says: "As a couple, you should share everything”. She believes the key to communication for younger generations is to “talk to one another and be honest”, as this will make it easier to split the workload.

4. How do I avoid arguing with my partner?

Our research discovered almost 3,000 online forum queries for advice on managing disagreements with your partner, including setting boundaries and managing relationships with your in-laws.

Jeff and Madge

Jeff and Madge, residents at Studley Rose Care Home near Redditch, have been married for 74 years. Madge says the ultimate trick to managing disagreements with your partner is “letting him think he is always right.”

Geraldine

92-year-old Geraldine, a resident at Cheriton Care Home in Dorchester, met her husband Geoff when she was 18. She shared that Geoff was “my first and last boyfriend.”

Geraldine’s advice for managing conflict is: “When you start to bicker, you need to calm the situation down straight away. You’ve got to say, that’s enough, ‘we’ll talk about it later”. Geraldine shared that by following these simple steps, “the argument goes away.”

Hilary

When it comes to managing conflict with your partner's family, 85-year-old Hillary believes that “as partners, you should always stick together.”

Methodology

We analysed Reddit's Relationships Advice community posts to identify the most significant relationship dilemmas affecting younger generations.

With over 15 million members and ranking in the top 1% of active Reddit communities, this group provided insights into the most frequently asked questions about dating advice, relationship issues, and breakups.

We then analysed questions from 1,200 active users to reveal the most popular dilemmas older generations should share their wisdom to solve, including:

• Dating Tips
• Relationship Advice
• Breakup Advice

Lottie matches care seekers with the best care homes for their needs. You can also request a free list of care homes from our care experts, who will share homes matching your budget and location.