Free Help Sheets

Practical ideas for maintaining closeness, respect, and enjoyment together Long relationships naturally evolve. Health issues, retirement, or family changes can all affect how partners relate to one another. Yet later life can also bring deeper appreciation, humour, and companionship — if you keep investing in small daily gestures that nurture connection. Strong relationships aren’t about avoiding problems but about staying curious, kind, and flexible as you both change. ​ Va

Practical ideas for maintaining harmony, closeness, and shared purpose Retirement brings big changes to daily life and relationships. With more time together and fewer outside distractions, couples often discover both new joys and new challenges. Adjusting to this stage takes understanding, patience, and a willingness to grow together in different ways. Small, steady efforts can help you stay connected and keep your relationship strong. ​ Recognise that retirement changes the

Practical ideas for repairing closeness after tension or hurt Every relationship experiences moments of misunderstanding or disappointment. Trust can be shaken by conflict, distance, or mistakes — but it doesn’t have to be lost forever. Rebuilding it takes honesty, patience, and consistent effort from both people. With time, small acts of care can restore confidence and bring back emotional safety. ​ Acknowledge what happened Avoiding the issue can make mistrust grow stronger

Practical ideas for staying connected and resilient together Life in later years brings many changes — retirement, health issues, moving home, or the loss of friends and family. Even positive change can be unsettling. When you and your partner face new circumstances, the way you support each other matters as much as the change itself. Understanding, patience, and teamwork can make transitions smoother and strengthen your bond. ​ Recognise that change affects both of you Each

Practical ideas for coping when people can’t relate to your loss After someone close to you dies, you may expect understanding from friends or family — yet sometimes others don’t respond as you hoped. They may avoid the subject, try to cheer you up too quickly, or seem uncomfortable with your sadness. Feeling misunderstood can deepen loneliness, but there are ways to handle this gently and protect your own healing. ​ Recognise that not everyone knows what to say Many people f

Practical ideas for restoring calm, understanding, and balance at home Retirement brings new freedom and time together, but it can also unsettle long-standing routines. Spending more hours in the same space, adjusting to financial or lifestyle changes, and redefining roles can all lead to friction. Tension in a relationship after retirement is common — with patience and open communication, it can also become an opportunity to grow closer. ​ Recognise that change affects both