Sexuality in older adults Flashcards
Exam 4 (Final)
What is considered a fundamental human right by most of us living in Western societies
Sexual self-determination is considered a fundamental human right by most of us living in Western societies.
Sexuality in older adults
Why may sexual behavior be an issue for people living with dementia?
For older people with dementia living ( when consent isn’t clear ) in residential aged care facilities the issue becomes more complex.
Sexual function incorporates many physiologic and psychosocial aspects:
Like what?
*Sexuality
*Intimate relationships
*Important component of quality of life
WHO defines sexual health as what?
The World Health Organization defines sexual health as a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction, or infirmity.
According to WHO, what does sexual health require?
Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, and the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination, and violence.
According to WHO, for sexual health to be attained and maintained, what must be done?
For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected, and fulfilled (World Health Organization, 2020)
Background
Sex can be seen as what type of subject?
Sex controversial subject
Background
What can influence the sexual behavior of older adults?
Cultural, biological, psychosocial, and environmental factors can influence the sexual behavior of older adults.
Background
Older adults may face what when it comes to expressing their sexuality?
They may be confronted with barriers to the expression of their sexuality by reflected attitudes, health, culture, economics, opportunity, and historic trends.
Background
Factors affecting a person’s attitudes on intimacy and sexuality include:
Factors affecting a person’s attitudes on intimacy and sexuality include family dynamics and upbringing and cultural and religious beliefs
Background
In the past, how much information was available about sex? How about attitudes? What is increasing over the years?
In the past, limited information on sexuality
Changes in attitudes over the years
Education on sexuality increasing
Background
What exists related to sex and older adults?
Ignorance and prejudice related to sex and older adults
Background
What is a nurse’s prerequisite to discussing sexual function with older adults?
*Nursing - A personal attitude assessment about sexuality and aging is a nurse’s prerequisite to discussing sexual function with older adults.
Enhancing Sexual Intimacy:
How is sexuality seen in healthcare?
Sexuality is seen as separate from healthcare concerns, rather than integral to quality of life.
Not seen as a priority for either the client or the provider.
Enhancing Sexual Intimacy
Not seen as a priority for either the client or the provider. Why?
No consequences seen to not addressing sexual concerns
Anxiety and fear of embarrassment prevent both patients and nurses from bringing up sexual concerns.
Enhancing Sexual Intimacy
Most health promotion strategies have the potential to make a positive impact on sexual relationships and sexual function.
Sexual Health
How is it important to someone?
Is important to an individual’s self-identity and general well-being.
Sexual Health
What does it contribute to?
Contributes to the satisfaction of physical needs.
Sexual Health
What does it fullfil?
Fulfills social, emotional, and psychological components of life.
Sexual Health
What does it evoke?
Evokes sentiments of joy, romance, affection, passion, and intimacy.
What do many people believe about older adults?
Many believe that older adults are asexual human beings.
How does the US view sexual health for older adults?
There is a general discomfort with sexual issues in the U.S.
How are most nurses when it comes to sexual health of older adults?
Most nurses are not educated to manage sexual health issues of older adults.
What is often ignored in the assessment of older adults health?
Sexual health is often ignored in the assessment of older adult health.
Enhancing Sexual Intimacy (cont’d.)
Romantic relationships in the elderly: How is it for some elderly?
Some people have been in the same romantic relationship for over 50 years.
Some people begin their first romantic relationship after retiring.
Enhancing Sexual Intimacy (cont’d.)
What is common and what is overlooked?
Loss of one’s romantic partner is common but sexual loss is overlooked.
Age-Related Changes That Affect Sexual Function
Changes affecting women
Hormonally regulated cycles
Menopause
Perimenopause
Postmenopause
Age-Related Changes That Affect Sexual Function
Changes affecting men
Andropause
Late-onset hypogonadism
Erectile dysfunction
Risk Factors and Social circumstances/influences That Affect Sexual Function include:
Myths and attitudes in society
Social circumstances/influences
Adverse effects of medication, alcohol, and nicotine
Risk Factors and Social circumstances/influences That Affect Sexual Function include:
Myths and attitudes in society:
Societal influences, especially on attitudes, stereotypes, and prejudices
Risk Factors and Social circumstances/influences That Affect Sexual Function include:
Social circumstances/influences
Availability of satisfactory partner
Risk Factors and Social circumstances/influences That Affect Sexual Function include:
Adverse effects of medication, alcohol, and nicotine
Medications adversely affect sexual function
Alcohol depresses central nervous system
Nicotine interferes with circulation to sexual organs
Risk Factors That Affect Sexual Function #2
Effects of chronic conditions: What kind of effect on sexual wellness?
When do changes in sexual function begin?
Detrimental effects on sexual wellness,
Changes in sexual function may begin as early as age 40 and in almost every adult by age 80.
Risk Factors That Affect Sexual Function #2
Effects of chronic conditions: What are examples of chronic conditions?
Pain, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obstructive sleep apnea
Risk Factors That Affect Sexual Function #2
Gender specific conditions: like?
[genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM)]
Prostatic hyperplasia
Urethritis
Urge/stress incontinence leads to vaginal infections and
Dyspareunia(painful intercourse)
Risk Factors That Affect Sexual Function #2
What is the most common issue?
Vaginal dryness and erectile dysfunction—*most common
Risk Factors That Affect Sexual Function #2
Vaginal dryness and erectile dysfunction—*most common:
What are ways to manage both conditions?
Therapeutic management for both conditions includes stopping smoking, only moderate alcohol intake, exercise, and reducing obesity.
Risk Factors That Affect Sexual Function #2
Vaginal dryness and erectile dysfunction—*most common:
What are meds for erectile dysfunction?
ED medications:
phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE5) such assildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra)
Risk Factors That Affect Sexual Function #2
Vaginal dryness and erectile dysfunction—*most common:
What can result in dyspareunia? What doesn’t occur at menopause?
Students:Though decreased lubrication can result in dyspareunia for older women, lubricant production does not completely cease at menopause.
Risk Factors That Affect Sexual Function #2
Vaginal dryness and erectile dysfunction—*most common:
What occurs for older men?
Older men are slower to erect, mount and ejaculate.
Risk Factors That Affect Sexual Function #2
Vaginal dryness and erectile dysfunction—*most common:
Compared to younger people how are older people’s sexual responsiveness?
Older people are less sexually responsive than younger people and there is a reduction of orgasm in older people.
Which disease is identified as the most common risk factor that causes sexual dysfunction in older men and women?
A. Chronic renal failure
B. Diabetes mellitus
C. Benign prostatic hyperplasia
D. Hyperthyroidism
B. Diabetes mellitus
Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in people with diabetes ranges from 35% to 75%. Men with diabetes are likely to experience retrograde ejaculation, whereas women experience delayed and diminished vaginal lubrication
Risk Factors That Affect -Sexual Function #3
Functional impairments: What can chronic conditions do?
Chronic illnesses and their related treatments may bring many challenges to intimacy and sexual activity.