Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Sexuality of a Group of Elderly

Abstract

Staff of long-term care facilities and other agencies working with the elderly need to be sensitive to the sexual needs and concerns of their residents. Little is known, however, about what this population knows about sexuality, their attitudes about sexual expression and how they want professionals to respond to their needs and concerns. The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of a group of elderly toward sexuality and staff practices related to the expression of elderly sexuality in a long-term care setting. Responses to 159 items divided among four forms were solicited from 68 elderly people living in long-term care facilities or attending a senior center. Information about the subjects' educational level, ethnicity, religiosity, political preferences, marital status, health, and importance of intimacy and sexuality was collected. Items related to masturbation, family issues, and personal issues were left unanswered more than other items. As a group the respondents tended to be somewhat knowledgeable, answering 67% of the knowledge items correctly. They were also somewhat tolerant toward sexuality issues, answering an average of 58% of the items in that direction. Finally, they supported relatively proactive responses of staff toward sexuality issues, agreeing on average with 69% of the items where staff took actions in support of elderly sexual expression. Respondents tended to think that there was little sexual activity taking place in nursing homes but that the residents continued to be interested in sexual expression. This information will be applied in the development of a training program for long-term care staff.

Key Words:

• Elderly
• sexuality
• attitudes
• long-term care
• staff practices
• aging