Introduction

Intimacy is a close familiarity that two people share, often with an affectionate set of feelings, thoughts, and actions. The two people may be spouses, partners, or close friends. Intimate relationships are a key source of pleasure in life.

Many people think of sex as a defining aspect of intimate relationships. But sex is only one of many aspects of intimacy. Intimate partners respect and admire each other. They find each other interesting and appealing. And they share themselves emotionally and sometimes physically in ways that may or may not include romance and sex, but that feel natural and unique to that relationship. For caring and compatible partners lucky enough to find each other, intimacy provides deep and lasting satisfaction, happiness, and security.

The desire for intimacy does not diminish with aging. However, the conditions and feelings that often accompany aging can complicate a person's ability to develop and maintain an intimate relationship. In addition, aging can change the way in which intimacy is expressed in a relationship.

See the sidebar Self-Acceptance.