Sexuality

Entrance into a nursing home can represent the end of any sexual life for older people. Due to a lack of privacy, segregation of men from women, and lack of accommodations for married couples, limited opportunities exist for men and women to engage in sexual activity if they so wish. Sexual history is rarely included in screening information for new residents. In addition, general negative attitudes and lack of knowledge among nursing home staff members regarding sex and older people contribute to an atmosphere that is not conducive to healthy sexuality. Patients who exhibit any form of sexuality are often treated as a joke or with derision. Residents who express interest in sex may be considered ‘‘difficult’’ by staff members, and it is not uncommon for some form of sedation to be administered to them (Hodson and Skeen).