Sex Among Nursing Home Residents Causes Concern
- 11 years ago
The aging Baby Boomers have raised a lot of concerns about the future of healthcare and the elderly, but one issue that’s barely been addressed is sexual activity in nursing homes.
The aging Baby Boomers have raised a lot of concerns about the future of healthcare and the elderly, but one issue that’s barely been addressed is sexual activity in nursing homes.
Studies show that sexual appetites remain strong for many, even as they approach their late 70s and mid 80s.
People in that age range are also more apt to suffer from dementia, including its most popular form, Alzheimer’s disease.
The problem arises when the two statistical realities of aging collide.
Nursing homes are at once confronted with criticism that their visitation policies don’t recognize the sexual rights of their residents as well as concerns that their patients with cognitive issues aren’t able to consent and are thus protected accordingly.
Many healthcare workers say they find themselves conflicted when they discover sexually active couples who are under their care. The line between sexual freedom and sexual abuse becomes even murkier when both parties say the act was consensual, but one or both has been diagnosed as being cognitively compromised.
Consent among those with dementia is an issue that has yet to be fully explored.
The aging Baby Boomers have raised a lot of concerns about the future of healthcare and the elderly, but one issue that’s barely been addressed is sexual activity in nursing homes.
Studies show that sexual appetites remain strong for many, even as they approach their late 70s and mid 80s.
People in that age range are also more apt to suffer from dementia, including its most popular form, Alzheimer’s disease.
The problem arises when the two statistical realities of aging collide.
Nursing homes are at once confronted with criticism that their visitation policies don’t recognize the sexual rights of their residents as well as concerns that their patients with cognitive issues aren’t able to consent and are thus protected accordingly.
Many healthcare workers say they find themselves conflicted when they discover sexually active couples who are under their care. The line between sexual freedom and sexual abuse becomes even murkier when both parties say the act was consensual, but one or both has been diagnosed as being cognitively compromised.
Consent among those with dementia is an issue that has yet to be fully explored.