How do formal caregivers experience the sexuality of older adults? Beliefs and attitudes towards older adults’ sexuality

Abstract

Aim: The way caregivers experience the sexuality of older adults has implications to their identity and sexual manifestations. There are few studies that focus on the meaning of caring of older adults, taking into account their sexuality. This study aims to explore the experiences of formal caregivers (FC) towards sexuality among older adults, and to obtain a description of their experiences. Method: Complete data were available from six caregivers working in a nursing home. We used a sociodemographic questionnaire and topic interview guide. The data was subjected to content analysis. Results:The most prevalent response of the interviewed participants for 'beliefs about the interest in sexuality' was 'health limitations despite the desire', for 'observed behaviours related to sexual expression' was 'masturbation', and for 'reactions/behaviours due to the demonstration of sexual expression was 'using humour". Conclusion: Future educational and intervention programs in the institution should take into account our findings to improve their efficacy on discussing these issues and to ultimately promote sexual wellbeing.Keywords: attitudes, beliefs, formal caregiver, nursing home, older adults' sexuality ResumoObjetivo: A forma como os cuidadores experienciam a sexualidade dos idosos tem implicações na sua identidade e nas suas manifestações sexuais. Existem poucos estudos que se focam no significado do cuidar dos idosos, tendo em conta a sua sexualidade. Este estudo tem como objetivo explorar as experiências dos cuidadores formais (FC) em relação à sexualidade nos idosos e obter uma descrição das suas experiências. Método: Foram disponibilizados dados completos de seis cuidadores que trabalham num lar de idosos. Utilizámos um questionário sociodemográfico e um guião de entrevista. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo. Resultados: A resposta mais prevalente dos participantes entrevistados para "crenças acerca do interesse pela sexualidade" foi "limitações de saúde apesar do desejo", para "comportamentos observados de expressão sexual" foi "masturbação", e para "reações/ comportamentos face à expressão sexual" foi "uso do humor". Conclusão: Os futuros programas educacionais e de intervenção na instituição devem ter em consideração os nossos resultados de forma a melhorar a sua eficácia na discussão dessas questões e, em última instância, promover o bem-estar sexual. There are several factors that can affect sexual manifestation in older adults, such as the lack of privacy, the negative attitudes of FCs, lack of a sexual partner, cognitive dysfunctions, health problems and physical disabilities, amongst which the main barriers appear to be the attitudes of the FC and the lack of privacy (Parker, 2007;Tarzia, Bauer, Fetherstonhaugh, & Nay, 2013). PalavrasResearch has shown that FCs play a central role in the care of institutionalized older adults and indirectly determine beliefs and actions and which sexual acts are tolerated (Lyder, 1994). The attitudes and knowledge of FCs regarding the sexuality of ...

What Distresses Sexual Well-Being Among Older Adults in Different Cultures? A Qualitative Study with Slovenian and Portuguese Older Adults

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