Sexual Activity and Psychosocial Benefits in Older Adults: Challenges and Ways Forward

Abstract

AbstractSexuality plays an important role in the lives of individuals throughout their lifespan, as it can be expressed and experienced in different ways. There is a common worldwide misconception that individuals become asexual as they get older, but an emerging body of evidence confirms that this is not true, and that their sexuality is likely to be misunderstood.Perceptions of sexuality, sexual desire as well as forms of sexual behaviour differ among older adults and are influenced by many factors, such as their state of health or existing illnesses as well as their social, cultural, and structural contexts. The definition of sexuality in older adults is much broader than that of the younger population and is not just limited to sexual intercourse. On the contrary, many older adults relate the positive emotions and close companionship associated with joy, love, happiness, cuddling, touching, and hugging to sexuality in older age.Many reports and empirical studies confirm that sexual intercourse and other types of sexual behaviours happen among the elderly, and that sexual experience is often seen as an important factor in their mental and physical health. Furthermore, irrespective of its form, positive sexual activity in older adults leads to greater enjoyment in life, higher levels of psychosocial satisfaction, increased physical activity, better health, and higher relationship satisfaction.However, for many older adults, their sexual needs and well-being are often ignored or met with disdain for various reasons. Apart from an increasing number of health issues, chronic diseases, and medication use in older adults, other factors that inevitably affect sexuality are related to their social, cultural, and structural contexts. A lack of interest or commitment in relationships, cultural differences as well as a lack of privacy in institutionalized contexts also determine how old-aged people express and experience sexuality. If these health and social contexts are not adequately addressed, their sexual perception and behaviours are likely to be negatively shaped.For this reason, healthcare practitioners and those who are in close interaction with the elderly should be aware of these barriers and be able to engage with them in discussions about sexuality. In order to better understand sexuality in older adults more cultural, ethnic, and religious sensitivity is needed. Further, education on older age sexuality as well as engaging in open discussions on sexuality with older adults is desirable.KeywordsOlder adultsPerceptions and sexual desireForms of sexualityPsychosocial benefitsSexual healthSocio-cultural contextStructural contextSexuality educationHealthcare practitioners