Growing old, or older, is seen by some as a taboo in western culture (Zachrisson, 2013). Ageing is seen as a problem, and something that has to be avoided (Montepare & Lachman, 1989), despite the fact that a substantial increase in life expectancy, combined with medical advances, has led to an ageing population (Andrews, 2001). There are many views on what ‘successful ageing’ should look like, and many expectations are placed on older people to be successful in their later years (Bowling & Dieppe, 2005). Therefore, the claim that as we get older, our biggest challenges are the limits imposed by others’ perceptions of youth and old age, can be seen as a valid statement. This claim will be discussed in relation to midlife, intimacy in older adult
