Extract
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. Introduction As the number of older people moving to residential care home continues to increase, there is a growing expectation that the care they receive will be of the highest quality. Yet to actively engage in discussion about how older people live in residential care homes conjures up unpleasant images that may make people uneasy and prefer not to think about it (Kane, 2000). Then what about broaching the subject of sexuality of older people in residential care homes? It is important, no doubt, but also sensitive and potentially embarrassing. Even though sexual health has been acknowledged as an important component of quality of life for many older people (Miller, 2004), it has not been easy to either encourage or respond to older people expressions of sexual interest, attitudes, ...See the full content of this document
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