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Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Let’s talk about sex…in the nursing home
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Should senior citizens forfeit their desire for sex and intimacy when they go to live in a nursing home? Researchers in Kansas tackled the taboo subject in a recent study. They found caregivers had little to go on to help them navigate the touchy topic. But experts say they expect the issue to grow as baby boomers, with more liberal attitudes toward sex than their parents, continue to age.
Solutions can be as simple as providing “do not disturb” signs or making sure staffers don’t barge into residents’ rooms without knocking, the experts noted. Or even to provide a discreet room for residents.
We’d like to hear from you. Should caregivers give consideration to the sexual needs of their nursing home patients?
For more senior subjects, go to Atlanta Senior Living page
