Sexuality of Elderly

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) are one of the most common and preventable health care problems in the world. The ageism of the population and the increase in the number of older adults, along with healthcare advances that provide better and longer quality of life, has encourage changes in sexuality amongst older adults. This increase has prompted healthcare workers to familiarize themselves with the sexuality of older adults. In this report, I plan to discuss the significance of this topic, the concern for the public, and interventions that can be implemented from a Community Health Nurse prospective.

Human sexuality can be fascinating, complex, contradictory, and sometimes frustrating. Sexuality is interwoven into every aspect of being human; therefore, having knowledge about sex is as essential as having education about human anatomy. However, it is highly recommended to pay close attention when sex education is delivered to youths. (Donatelle 171)

In 1913, sex education became a topic that was found to be an important education tool. Since then, this form of education has been a hot and debatable topic among many Americans. The original reason for sex education classes was to reduce problems such as sexually transmitted illnesses and prostitution. In recent years, abstinence has become the focus of sex education curriculum. Abstinence means refraining from sex completely. Although, it is the only one-hundred percent way to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies, abstinence-only instruction should not be the only form of sex education taught. Our youth need to know about all aspects of sex. This intails how to protect them if they choose to become sexually

Over time many of the baby boomers that once had the outlook on life that each day was building onto the next in the same routine as always have changed from that and now pursue the “you only live once” view in how they will live each day. With that the need for advisement directed toward the older generation has spiked towards the need for sexual education in older adults.

Television and film do a wonderful job of widowing parents or creating a life so intertwined with their children that is their identity. When we do witness the actions around sexuality and the aging it is almost never serious, often leaving one to think that that the elderly engaging in any sexual contact will prove perverted, dangerous or lethal (Dan Sewell). Much like advertisements for products incite us to buy them, the views of sexuality and senior citizens we see in the media carries into real life, leaving the elderly to be labeled as either asexual or are met with phrases like "dirty old man" or cougar, simply for having a desire that exists within all of us. Being of the community and seeing these perceptions does not make it easy to be open about feelings regarding the topic on any level, exacerbating any existing esteem issues that could be onset of aging (Melanie

Human sexuality is a common phrase for all, and anything, pertaining to the feelings and behaviors of sex for the human race. Sexuality has been a topic that has been discussed and studied for as far back as 1000 years B.C. and is still being studied today. As the discussion of sexuality has progressed through history, theories have been created based on research and experiments that scholars have implemented, based on their own perceptions of human behavior. Out of the many theories that pose to explain sexual behavior, Sexuality Now explained ten that are seemed to be the most overlapped, and built off of theories. Of these theories, two that were discussed in the text were the behavioral and sociological theory. These two theories cover some of the basic ideas of what could possibly influence a person’s sexuality.

In “Sexuality and Aging-Research on Aging” Dan Sewell, MD, explains the revised definition of sexual intimacy, the need for doctors to ask about sexual activity, and the need to take care of ourselves.

Sexuality in aging is an interesting topic being that everyone will age and the information is vital to know. Countless amounts of people want and need to be close to others, as they grow older meaning they yearn to endure a lively, fulfilling sex life. With aging, there might be changes that can produce later difficulties and issues. Typical aging brings physical changes in both men and women. These changes occasionally disturb the capability to have and enjoy sex. As a woman the vagina gets older and begins to change. The changes are things such as the structure, shape, and even size changes. The lubrication begins to slow down. These changes most likely will affect sexual functions or pleasure.

According to Macionis (2012), the term sex “refers to activity that leads to sexual gratification” (p. 178). Sexual activity is guided by culture (Macionis, 2012). In other words, its practices and attitudes vary by region (Macionis, 2012). Although the historical norm for sex has been between adult partners, sexual practices and attitudes has changed over the years to include hooking up, which has emerged as a pattern among society in the United States, but can caused problems in today’s culture.

Political and social context changed how problems are approached and how solutions are perceived. The development of opinion, policies and society across the past hundred years allows todays medical outcomes regarding sexually transmitted diseases to yield much more successes than the nineteenth century. Today, sexually transmitted diseases are still perceived as important but are approached more openly. Safe sex is more commonly the mantra than ‘Don’t have sex.’ and there is little to no believers that sexually transmitted diseases are only carried by prostitutes.

According to the Department of health (DOH) (2013), people should know and understand how to protect their sexual health but also know how to access the appropriate services. This assignment will discuss factors that may have an effect on an individual’s sexual health such as education, the socio-economic and cultural environment; how the behaviour and lifestyle choices can have an impact on health and the consequences it may have within our society. It will also discuss the importance of the nurse’s role in promoting the health and wellbeing of all individuals and reducing health

Human sexuality is defined as the capability of individuals to experience their sexuality and be able to express themselves as sexual beings (Hyde & DeLameck, 2006). Our interest in this topic is because with time, there has been a change in rules that control human sexual behaviour. The status quo in our contemporary society is much different as compared to an earlier state of conditions, and the change has, as a result, brought the evolvement in human sexuality. People 's view on virginity has changed greatly with a decrease of importance in regards to its preservation. Sexuality is essential to the economic, cultural, social and political organization of society or country. Our sexuality plays a fundamental role in all our lives regardless of age, sex or race. It forms a basic part of our personality and the decisions we make in what we do. One’s sexuality also consumes much of their time through behaviour or thoughts; at times every aspect of our lives seems to revolve around our sexuality. Studying sexuality is very important since human sexuality majorly contributes to social as well as personal problems. A lingering question concerning this topic is to what extent is virginity determined by the status quo and the rules that control human behaviour?

Throughout history it is evident that human sexuality changes do to religious, governmental and societal influences. The perception of human sexuality has gone through many changes such as being very open and unlabeled activity; to being very “conservative” and a topic that shouldn’t be talked about in public or at all. In any case, human sexuality has always been a topic of interest because humans are sexual beings who want to understand the consciousness of themselves as male or female and see their personal response when encountered in erotic experiences with other individuals. Unlike many other species whose sexual force is strictly for reproduction, human’s sexual drive seems to be driven by many factors that intertwine with each other which leads to very different outcomes. Do to these obscure human emotions and personal gratification, sex is always shown every culture’s art, literature, social norms, and laws.

Forging of safer sexual behaviors through communications strategies on the general population using numerous channels, eg) Counseling, books and media.

In the modern world and with all the means of technology we frequently use in our daily life, we will always informed almost entire news and cases which are occurred in this world. As a person who concerned about humanity will notice that the number of Sexual Transmitted Diseases (STD) and sexual harassment cases shows an upward trend. This shows a clear view that we are facing an issues about sexual behaviour and health. However, this problem can be solved at least by reducing the number of cases and avoiding from it become worse in future. Sex education in schools is one of the method that can be used to solve the problem occurred and help to reduce the number of pregnancy among youth girl and STD. On the other hand, most of the parents