Sexuality

Sexuality

I’ve chosen sexuality among elder because I am curious about how elders deal with their sexuality especially among elderly women who have gone through menopause. From the place where I grew up if the woman hits menopause then it is the end of her sexual life. Those are just beliefs and I want to know if that is the case.

There are different perception among sexuality among elders depending on the cultures. According to Ehrenfeld et al. (1999), “sexuality is an integral part of human life throughout all stages of the life span” (p. 145). This means that sexuality needs to be part of care among elders. “Many younger people have a negative attitude toward sexuality among older people; some even view it as immoral and disgraceful. Elderly people, in contrast, see sex as a natural extension of their way of life, especially since love in later life usually undergoes transformation and amplification, and people feel love more strongly…. Therefore it is not surprising that the human need for touch, hugs and kisses increases with age in both men and women” (Ehrenfeld et at., 1999, p. 144). Sometimes it is perceived that as women get to the menopausal stage sexual activities are much lesser. A woman’s ethnic and cultural background shapes her attitude to the menopause, as well as her expectations regarding sexuality and intimate relations. “There are number of factors that can impinge on sexuality…. These includes hormones, ageing itself, length of a relationship, declining physical health, chronic conditions and their medication, education and mental health” (Pitkin, 2011, p. 34).

In my field practicum I have experienced a widowed lady, aged eighty years old who is demented and at the same time had alcohol problems. She spends time with the man living in the same building where she lives. He is demented as well but not as bad as she is. They both have alcohol problems and spend most of the time together. It struck me when one of the health care attendants found her underwear over the man’s laundries, which made me think if she is aware sexual activity. There were reports that it happens all the time and it made me wonder. I don’t want to assume things but I think something is happening. Based on this lady, though she is eighty years old, it clearly shows that though she passed menopause she has sexual life.

I also talked with another woman and asked her about sexuality, she is around sixty five years of age and she said she also have sexual life and stated that women can have it or not based on their own personal choice and perception about sexuality. Women’s sexuality is multifaceted and it is difficult to separate the effects of ageing and changing of hormones especially if women are passed menopause.

On my own perception being a Social Work student where I am doing an assessment it is also important to have an understanding that older people are not just merely experiencing memory loss, health concerns, needs assistance from their caregivers and are sexual beings. Based from the articles that I read it is so easy from the workers perspective to understand that elderly do need love and care but difficult to accept romance. It is important to understand that they are also human beings who have biological needs. I guess it might be too personal to ask them if “they are sexually active or not” who cares? But then again it is important to have an understanding on this kind of issue rather than attach stigma on it.

Reference:

Ehrenfeld, M., Bronner, G., Tabak, N., Alpert, R., & Bergman, R. (1999). Sexuality among institutionalized elderly patients with dementia. Nursing Ethics. 6 (2) 144-149.

Pitkin, J. ( 2009). Sexuality and the menopause. Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetric and Gynaecology. Retrieved April 2, 2011, from http://www.sciencedirect.com.proxy1.lib.umanitoba.ca/science.