Every now and then you read a book that feels quietly revolutionary.
That’s exactly how many people described Joan Price’s 2011 book Naked at Our Age: Talking Out Loud About Senior Sex when it first appeared. At a time when society barely acknowledged that older people still had sex lives, Price wrote openly and unapologetically about intimacy after 50.
Her central message was simple and bold: sex doesn’t end when we age – it simply changes.
The book combined real-life stories from people over 50 with advice from therapists, doctors and sexuality experts, tackling everything from erectile dysfunction to dating later in life.
It went on to win awards and become one of the most widely recommended guides to later-life sexuality.
But reading it today, 15 years later, I found myself wondering something.
Not whether the book was good – it still is.
But whether the ideas inside it still hold true today.
Because a lot has changed since 2011.
So here are a few of Price’s core messages – and how they look in 2026.
One of the most important ideas in Naked at Our Age was simply this: older people deserve fulfilling sex lives.
Price pushed back against a culture that often assumes intimacy belongs to the young. The book argues that pleasure, desire and romance don’t vanish with age – and in many cases, they can become richer.
In 2011, that message felt almost radical.
Today, it feels far more mainstream.
The conversation around ageing and sexuality has opened up dramatically over the past decade. Films, television and media increasingly acknowledge intimacy later in life, and medical professionals are far more willing to discuss sexual health with older patients.
But here’s the interesting thing.
Even now, many people still feel awkward talking about sex in their 60s, 70s or beyond.
So while Price’s argument may be more widely accepted today, it’s hardly outdated. If anything, it’s still needed.
Another key theme running throughout the book is communication.
Price repeatedly stresses that couples need to talk openly about their desires, boundaries and changing bodies if they want a satisfying sex life later on.
This includes discussing issues that many couples once avoided, such as erectile dysfunction, menopause, or declining libido.
At the time, this advice was partly about breaking generational habits. Many baby boomers grew up in an era where sex simply wasn’t discussed.
Fifteen years later, the advice still stands.
But today’s conversations around relationships are arguably far more open than they once were. Younger generations talk about intimacy, consent and emotional needs far more freely.
In other words, the cultural shift Price encouraged is slowly happening.
Still, anyone who has been married for decades knows this truth: communication remains easier said than done.
One of Price’s most practical pieces of advice is also one of the most liberating.
She encourages couples to rethink what “sex” actually means.
As bodies change with age – particularly when erectile dysfunction or vaginal dryness appear – couples may need to move away from a narrow focus on intercourse and explore other forms of intimacy.
Touch, sensuality, oral sex, mutual pleasure and emotional closeness can all become part of a broader definition of sexual connection.
Back in 2011, that advice was quietly radical for many readers.
Today it feels almost obvious.
Modern sex education, therapy and media discussions increasingly recognise that intimacy isn’t one-size-fits-all.
But here’s the thing.
For couples who spent decades thinking of sex in one particular way, shifting that mindset can still take time.
So once again, Price’s message hasn’t really dated – it simply anticipated where the conversation was heading.
Price also tackled another taboo head-on: self-pleasure and sex toys.
Her book openly encourages older adults to explore masturbation and devices such as vibrators, helping remove the stigma around them.
That advice may have raised a few eyebrows when the book first appeared.
Today, it barely raises a whisper.
Sex toys are now mainstream consumer products, sold openly in pharmacies and lifestyle stores. Online retailers market them to people of all ages, including seniors.
In other words, this is one area where the culture has moved quickly – and Price’s advice now feels almost commonplace.
Another topic Price tackled was the world of dating after 50.
She offered advice on creating online dating profiles, meeting new partners and navigating relationships after divorce or widowhood.
But here’s where the biggest shift may have happened.
In 2011, online dating for older adults was still relatively new.
Today it’s practically normal.
Apps and websites specifically targeting mature singles have exploded, and many older people now meet partners online as easily as younger generations.
The rules of dating have evolved, but the emotional challenges remain familiar: vulnerability, rejection, excitement and hope.
Which means Price’s insights still resonate – even if the technology has changed.
After finishing Naked at Our Age, my conclusion is surprisingly simple.
Yes.
Not because every detail still feels fresh, but because the core ideas remain relevant.
The book challenged one of the most stubborn myths about ageing: that intimacy fades away once the wrinkles appear.
Instead, Price argued that sexuality continues throughout life – sometimes changing shape, but never disappearing.
And perhaps that’s the real reason the book still feels important today.
Because despite all our supposed progress, many older people still quietly wonder the same thing:
Is it normal to still want this?
Joan Price answered that question 15 years ago.
Her answer was simple.
Yes.
IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.
Proudly Australian owned and operated