Society's Misconceptions On Sex And Aging

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.

This article compares and explore the views of both staff and residents regarding to the barriers to sexual expression in the residential aged care facilities. The study illustrated that most older people remain sexually active and express their sexual needs in many ways. The barriers to sexual expression among older people are due to stereotypes, the loss of partner, the prevalence of chronic diseases, side effects that from the use of medications, the lack of privacy, and staff attitude towards sexuality in older age. Most staff have no training on issues related to sexuality and they feel uncomfortable when come to sexual issues in older people. However, the staff members in RACF’s were aware of many barriers that residents will face regarding

In our youth orientated society, the ageing process has lost its dignity. The elderly are often considered a burden, rather than bearers of wisdom due to their experiences and "geriatrics suffer from a severe shortage of qualified manpower. While there are no doubt a number of reasons for this shortage, one of them is fear of, and resistance to becoming professionally and emotionally involved with old people. This revulsion arises form the connection between the old and death, the image of infertility and asexuality associated with

The truth about how sex among older adults is portrayed in the media and popular culture is simply that it is not portrayed very often in these mediums. Preadolescents and adolescents tend to receive much of the sexualization that is used in these mediums while the elderly tend to never get portrayed doing these types of activities. This can be attributed to the media's presentation of the perfect human specimen, man or woman; of which most elderly people do not satisfy as they have wrinkles, sagging skin, more skin marks (moles, freckles) and overall are not attractive by the media's standards. Older people have the life experience and intelligence to ignore such impositions and therefore, it does not affect their sexual lifestyle. To the

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.

The health professional providing sexual education should be facultative verses being viewed as an expert of knowledge. This education style builds rapport with the client, provides a productive

Even memory loss does not mean the loss of libido. Among the geriatric community, dementia is a huge topic (or fear) of discourse. Dementia can alter the definition of closeness as our minds require different things. An interesting example of this is the story of former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'connor. She resigned from the Supreme Court after her husband developed dementia, but upon progression, she transitioned him into an assisted living facility. After having gotten adjusted to his new home, he became acquainted with another woman, someone he ate lunch with and chatted to throughout the day, and the Supreme Court Justice realized there would come a day her husband would no long know this woman, much less the meaning of the word wife, but this added to the quality of his life in a way that satiated him (Melanie Ramey). The expression of sexuality as simply a consistent presence for older adults, especially those with chronic illness, can enhance the quality of life. For many couples coping with dementia, physical intimacy continues to be a rich source of mutual comfort, support and pleasure for many years (Sex and intimate

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.

A. My client, which is a 72-years old woman with a total hip replacement and arthritis. My client also is concerned because she wants to continue to have sex with her partner. The first thing that needs to happen before anything is according to the book Gerontology for the Health Care Professional it states permission, the first level of treatment within the PLISST model, "The client is given permission to discuss any concerns and is reassured as a sexual being" The second thing is according to the book Gerontology for the Health Care Professional it states specific suggestions, the third level of treatment within the PLISST model, "Strategies or alternatives are provided to change or influence the specific problem behavior. The partner needs to be involved at this level." I would suggest in a nonjudgmental way would be to reduce the amount of energy you put into having sex and let your sex partner do most of the work to reduce the pain you get in your hips or at least try out different positions that might reduce the amount of pain your hips are receiving while in the positions you are using already. Another suggestion that might make your sex life less painful is taking a hot shower before having sex or placing pillows under your hips or where you have arthritis while having sex.

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.

In access to health care a surplus of various ageist stereotypes different studies have documented aspect of ageism in health care, and they merge to create one concluding comprehensive stereotype regarding older patients. The primary stereotype is that old people are physically weak plus that their health is deteriorating, implying that they have to depend on somebody else to look after them (North & Fiske, (2012) The second is mostly applicable to aged male patients, and is that all of them are impotent and do not have any natural or usual sexual desires in any case. Third, old patients are viewed as senile and whichever slight misstep in

The article states balancing confidentiality regarding children’s health and parent’s interest is complicated because some parents and health care providers feel confidentiality promotes risky sexual behaviour and does not allow parents to protect their child (Jaruseviciene L., Lazarus J. and Zaborski A., 2011). General practitioners face contradiction when giving parents information for their patients who are minors in Lithuania. The study was conducted in four different countries in Lithuania including General Practitioners. It was a 41-questionnaire used in this cross-sectional study and the questionnaire was based on qualitative survey data collected in 2003-2004. Questionnaire was given to all General Practitioners starting at the end of August 2005 and a total of 607 questionnaires were distributed. The General Practitioners was presented with eight different clinical scenarios including: adolescent interest in sexual issues, sexual activity, sexually transmitted infections, contraception, pregnancy abortion, and gender identity. The respondent was asked if they told parents or refrained from informing parents from two groups of adolescents; 16 years of age and older or 16 years of age and younger. A total of 607 questionnaires was

It is nice to have another class with you. It is interesting how sexuality counseling can assist all life stages. Long, Burnett, and Thomas (2006) state how sexuality counseling can help children who are curious about sexual behaviors or have experienced sexual abuse (p. 256). Whereas, the elderly can benefit from sexuality counseling due to losing an intimate partner or a decline in psychological factors during their aging development (p. 181). Indeed, this course was not required to complete in my clinical mental health study path, however, I believe learning about this counseling topic can benefit my professional practice when counseling different cultures, ethnicities, and ages.

Call it a byproduct of aging - or of life in general - but at some point sex seems to become deprioritized in life. Why is that? There are many reasons - which vary from one person or couple to another - but the most common reasons for a less sexy union seem to be:

Most women often experience anxiety associated with aging. This is reflected in the massive amount of consumer beauty and anti-aging products available to the female population. The emergence of a single line on a woman’s face or a slight puffiness around the eyes, can lead to massive stress over the inevitable aging process. This is due to a prevalent notion that, the older a woman gets, the less desirable she becomes. It is often perceived that she loses the right to dress a certain way, act a certain way and to explore her desires. This documentary will act as a counter argument to this, proving otherwise that woman can continue her journey into sexual exploration for as long as she pleases.