NEW YORK (CBS), October 12, 2007: Grandma and grandpa are no longer passively fading into the sunset. These days, seniors are making romance an important part of their lives. Yes, the elderly are having sex. A recent study of sexuality and health among older Americans found that more than half of Americans between 57 and 85 are sexually active. Lead author Dr. Stacy Tessler Lindau, an assistant professor of geriatrics, as well as obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Chicago Medical School, says that sexuality is an essential component of life, no matter what age a person is. 
Alan and Eileen Levine may be past retirement age, but that doesn't mean they haven't given up sex. (CBS)Lindau is astounded at the publicity the study has received, but it was old news to couples like the Levines. Alan is 70 and Eileen is 65 and they say, younger people should look forward to a lot of loving.
"I think it gets even deeper, when you, because you approach it a different way," Alan Levine said. "Early on it's almost completely sexual. As you get older in life, and you've raised a family, and they've moved on -- the meaning becomes intensified more than ever before at a different level."
In part, the focus on senior sex has been driven by Viagra and other performance enhancing drugs for men as well as by baby boomers.
"People crossing the threshold of 60 don't feel they're old," Lindau said. "Many are still working, they're athletic and they're vital."
More about seniors and sex this Sunday Morning at 9 a.m. ET.
© MMVII, CBS
