Promoting awareness of sexuality of older people in residential care

Abstract

Addressing sexuality of older people is a neglected area and has received insufficient attention in residential care practice. This paper presents an urgent need to address this sensitive, potentially embarrassing but important health issue. It concludes that much work is still needed in this area, particularly to understand sexuality from older peoples' perspectives and how their sexual needs and concerns can be addressed by those caring for them in residential care homes. Not until we truly know what older people want and understand what sexuality means to them can it be possible to plan individualized care that will meet their specific sexual need.