Sexuality and ageing
Sexuality is an important component of quality of life throughout the lifespan, and its expression is dependent on biological, psychological, and social factors. This chapter describes the sexual health of older adults; issues pertaining to ageing and chronic disease, including dementia; and topics specific to different groups of people. The major sexual problems reported by older women include lack of interest in sex, difficulty with lubrication, inability to climax, finding sex not pleasurable, and pain. There are many barriers to healthy expression of sexuality in older adults with dementia. Clinicians should be mindful that older adults remain at risk for sexually transmitted infections and that sexual risk-taking behaviour is not only a problem of younger people. Healthcare providers should remember that LGBTQ older adults may have experienced significant discrimination over the course of their lives, which may cause them to feel uncomfortable disclosing their sexual orientation.
