Sexuality in Residential Aged Care: A Survey of Perceptions and Policies in Australian Nursing Homes

Shuttleworth, Russell; Russell, Cherry; Weerakoon, Patricia; Dune, Tinashe

doi:10.1007/s11195-010-9164-6

Cited by 56 publications

(67 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…The baby boomers in the first study expressed concerns about the capacity of aged care services, particularly residential, to recognize their expectations about sexual expression (Rowntree, 2014). These fears about erosion in sexual autonomy appear well-founded given that previous studies have found that sexual expression in aged care facilities remains invisible and problematic (Frankowski & Clark, 2009), negative attitudes exist by staff towards residents' sexual expression (Bouman, Arcelus, & Benbow, 2007;Gilmer et al, 2010), education is still required to improve staff attitudes and beliefs (Bauer, McAuliffe, Nay, & Chenco, 2012;Shuttleworth, Russell, Weerakoon, & Dune, 2010;Walker & Harrington, 2002), including training in sexual diversity and hetero-normativity (Tolley & Ranzijn, 2006) and other institutional barriers exist, such as lack of privacy (Gilmer et al, 2010), and lack of information and policies (Bauer, Nay, & McAuliffe, 2009). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Need or right: Sexual expression and intimacy in aged care

Rowntree

Zufferey

2015

Journal of Aging Studies

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This paper explores how the residential aged care sector could engage with residents' sexual expression and intimacy. It is informed by a study of 19 aged care staff members and 23 community members, and initially designed on the principles of Appreciative Inquiry methodology. The data were collected through focus groups and interviews and analyzed using discourse analysis. We found that staff members mainly conceptualize sexual expression as a need to be met, while community members (current and prospective residents) understand it as a right to be exercised. We conclude that the way in which sexual expression is conceptualized has critical implications for the sector's engagement with this topic. A 'needs' discourse informs policies, procedures and practices that enable staff to meet residents' needs, while a 'rights' discourse shapes policies, practices and physical designs that improve residents' privacy and autonomy, shifting the balance of power towards them. The former approach fits with a nursing home medical model of care, and the latter with a social model of service provision and consumption.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Need or right: Sexual expression and intimacy in aged care

Rowntree

Zufferey

2015

Journal of Aging Studies

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“…Nonetheless, other categories were found revealing both positive and negative attitudes to sexual expression. Shuttleworth, Russell, Weerakoon, and Dune (2010) in a study using semi-structured telephone interviews in Australia support these results. They found examples of uncertain or decidedly negative attitudes and responses among their FCs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 65%

“…Sexual problems in older people should be managed sensitively and practically by FCs with respect to individual differences in sexual interest and activity. Furthermore, nursing homes should have the responsibility of being able to manage the sexual needs of older adults consistently and fairly, whilst also protecting the rights of individual residents and FCs (Bauer, 1999b;Shuttleworth, Russell, Weerakoon, & Dune, 2010). Some participants of this study seem to have an understanding of an older person's sexual health, as well as willingness to discuss sexuality without judgement, thus providing the necessary support to enable residents to sexually express themselves in appropriate ways as previously demonstrated by Bauer (1999b).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

“…On the other hand, having a higher education level and socio-economic background (Hinchliff & Gott, 2011; Mahieu, Elssen, & Gastmans, 2011;Shuttleworth, Russell, Weerakoon, & Dune, 2010;Walker & Harrington, 2002;Walker et al, 1998) and having more work experience (Saunamäki, Andersson, & Engström, 2010;Walker & Harrington, 2002) generally predict more positive attitudes of care staff.…”

Section: Palavrasmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Monteiro¹,

Humboldt²,

Leal³

2017

Psychol. Community Health

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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 ...

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“…Sin embargo, esta «cultura organizacional», que incluiría actitudes hacia la sexualidad y el modo de abordar las cuestiones sexuales cuando aparecen, raramente se explicita en forma de normas y regulaciones escritas o actividades relacionados con la sexualidad. Así, los protocolos de actuación o los materiales dirigidos a profesionales que tratan esta temática son prácticamente inexistentes 6,24 .…”

Section: Introductionunclassified