New Trend: Living Apart Together Couples

Ebeth, 81, and John, 82, are just not ready to live together

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Elizabeth “Ebeth” Merkle, and John Denninger of Rochester go dancing weekly, eat out often and attend festivals and other events together.

Though the sweethearts have assigned each other pet names and swoon at “their” song, the couple has no plans to marry.
Merkle, 81, and Denninger, 82, offer an example of what demographers call a “living apart together” (LAT) couple: romantic partners who date but never wed or cohabitate.

Research presented in April 2018 by Huijing Wu, a graduate student at Bowling Green State University, stated that of the 50-plus aged people surveyed who were coupled, 39 percent were in LAT relationships, 31 percent were dating and 30 percent lived together outside of marriage.

With older adults remaining healthier longer, and with more opportunities to socialize such as various senior groups and meet-ups, it’s not surprising more find someone special. That’s how Merkle and Denninger met nearly two years ago while eating at Lily Cafe at the Maplewood Family YMCA in East Irondequoit.

“He asked if anyone had any coupons to take his daughter out to dinner,” Merkle recalled. “I had scads of them. I took them in for him and he used them. He asked if he could take me out to thank me.”

She said that Denninger had been a widower of 21 years at that point and craved socializing. As a widow of five years, she felt the same way. They had enjoyed spending time at Lifespan and going to the YMCA, but together, the couple really sparked. They established a ritual of dancing on Fridays at Market Café in Webster where Johnny Matt Band plays.

“We need sociability, companionship, understanding and the feeling that somebody cares,” Merkle said. “The people who enjoy being alone are a different type of people. Everyone is gregarious in their own ways, but we can’t believe the fun and laughter we have. We just click. John says, ‘If you’re over 80, there’s still a chance for life and love.’”

Merkle said that she’s heard many people her age saying they’re finding a second chance at love, but they’re not interested in marriage, either. LAT works for them as well.

“When you’re 80 and the government steps in, they take so much out of your Social Security if you’re a family unit,” Merkle said.

She and Denninger also prize their independence and living arrangements. Unlike couples just starting out, they both have entire households full of furnishings. Combining this aspect of their lives would likely involve paring down their belongings. LAT makes life easier.

She owns a dog and cat; he has five dogs. She likes to play cards and attend Red Hat Society meetings. He likes working out at the YMCA.

But getting together for dates and outings suits them fine.

“I didn’t look for this; believe me,” Merkle said. “We both had very happy relationships, each raising three children.”

The couple has enjoyed their time together so much that they hosted a commitment ceremony at the Lily Cafe on — what else? — Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 2018, but they’re not married. Merkle said they’re happy without marriage.

“Even thinking about the times we spend together, I just glow,” Merkle said. “We have nicknames. We have ‘Beauty and the Beast’ as our theme song. He asked, ‘How did you get with a beast like me?’ and calls me ‘Beauty.’”

Stephen Ryan is a geriatrician practicing at ElderONE, affiliated with Rochester Regional Health, said that a LAT relationship benefits health.

“Cognitive decline, anxiety and depression seem to be less,” Ryan said. “You have the opportunity for people to explore more parts of themselves, like new hobbies or travel they didn’t have the confidence to do before by themselves. It can be helpful to get the insights of someone else.”

Maria Schantz, intake social worker for the ElderONE, said that couples like Merkle and Denninger aren’t so unusual anymore. She calls the trend of second-chance love “heartwarming,” but expressed concern when a person in a LAT relationship needs medical care.

“If something does happen to our loved one and the significant other wants to be part of the decision making, he has no rights,” Schantz said.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) even prohibits providers from sharing medical information without a legal sign-off from the patient.

Merkle said that in her case, both their families approve of their relationship and would let the other know if a medical emergency arises.

For LAT couples where this isn’t the case, signing paperwork at their doctor’s office and within their health system can help their significant other gain access to their health information.

The health care proxy is a different legal instrument that designates the person who makes health care decisions. Oftentimes, people designate an adult child to fill that role.

For now, Merkle and Denninger take life one day at a time.

“It’s just magic how every day is another great day,” Merkle said. “You should be able to get up and enjoy every day. We’re spontaneous and it’s fun. Nothing has to be planned and promised.”