A new study has found that the "free love" generation of the 1960s is still living up to its name.
According to an analysis of Centers for Disease for Control and Prevention data, South Florida saw a 60 percent rise in chlamydia and syphilis among those age 55 and older between the years 2005 and 2009, The Orlando Sentinel reported.
Nationally, the two sexually transmitted infections had an increase of 43 percent in the same age group. In some retirement communities, the rise was nearly double the national average. For example, central Florida saw an increase of 71 percent.
Medicare is considering providing coverage for STD screenings for seniors. It is also assessing the possible benefits of behavioral counseling for sexually active seniors.
So, what is the cause of this increase?
Americans living longer, healthier lives, and medicines like Viagra are making sex for this age group more feasible. Condom use is also lower and seniors are socializing more because of growing retirement communities.
“These seniors may lose a spouse, then get lonely, they're living in retirement communities with others in the same boat, and sparks fly,"Jason Salagubang, a geriatrician, told the newspaper. "They’re the make-love-not-war generation, and old habits die hard.”
