Despite continuing ageist beliefs that sexuality is a privilege designed only for the young and physically healthy, research continues to indicate that the majority of older adults maintain interest in sexuality and may engage in fulfilling sexual behavior well into their last decade of life. Unfortunately, many professionals remain unaware of general knowledge of elderly sexuality, including the expected and normal physiological changes that can occur within the context of both male and female aging. The presence of chronic illness and other medical problems certainly can influence the expression of an aging adult’s sexuality, and emergent research suggests that there are effective ways to cope with menopause, heart disease, arthritis, incontinence, diabetes, sleep disorders, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction (ED), among others. Dramatic changes have taken place within the last decade alone in terms of non-surgical treatment for incontinence and ED, with forms of sex therapy, biofeedback, and PDE-5 inhibitors. Regrettably, many aging adults and their care providers remain unaware of their increased risk factors for STDs, including HIV infection via lack of knowledge, changes in the vaginal lining, and typical declines in immune function. Estimates suggest that by the year 2020, more than half of all individuals living with HIV will be over the age of 50. Although some high quality professional books are available for clinicians, they tend to be disjointed research bibliographies, edited volumes on a narrowly focused aspect of elderly sexuality, or texts that are more than 10 years old. With the extent of new information available regarding sexuality and aging, an up to date, empirically based text is necessary.

Throughout my clinical training and practice, I have been surprised by the number of times that sexual issues have emerged as an unexpectedly central feature in my work with older adults. I can vividly remember my own internal reaction on hearing one of my elderly female patients tell me that she was date raped a few years after the death of her elderly husband-when she was 68 years old. I can see in my mind's eye the blood splattered on the floor of an inpatient unit from an elderly man who smashed his arm through a window, furious that his antidepressant medication made it impossible to climax through masturbation. On a much less dramatic but equally important note, I think about the elderly amputee who told me softly about his fears of resuming sexual activity with his wife of 25 years. I also think about the elderly woman whose inability to take herself shopping to find fashionable, comfortable clothes to fit over her hunched shoulders and large breasts helped precipitate a serious depression. In sum, I learned early on that elderly sexuality is not just about how many times a week someone makes love. It is my hope that sharing these experiences and introducing the related theories, research, and interventions will assist other clinicians in dealing with these often challenging and clinically demanding situations. Without my patients, this text would not have been possible.

This literature review was undertaken in order to determine what caregivers needed to know about elderly sexuality, to determine the needs of elderly people related to their sexuality, and to determine how caregivers could best assist them in meeting those needs. In selecting materials to be annotated for this book, the first priority was given to empirical studies. Also included were articles by prominent practitioners and researchers interested in elderly sexuality, literature reviews, and books written for the lay population which are often cited in the professional literature. In addition to seeking knowledge about elderly sexuality and understanding attitudes about sexuality, this literature review sought information about measurement issues and measurement instruments frequently used in research within elderly populations. Also of interest were investigations of educational and training programs involving caregivers.

This volume fills a unique gap. Gerontologists seldom focus on special concerns of gay and lesbian older adults, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender aging organizations rarely address issues of aging, and the mental health field has demonstrated an ability to marginalize both aging and homosexuality. This book lays out the state of knowledge with respect to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender aging—physical health, sexuality, family ties, victimization, and legal and financial concerns. The references at the end of individual chapters and the bibliographical material at the end of the book provide an invaluable resource. For any gerontologist intrigued by the interplay of historical changes and individual aging, it is difficult to imagine a more powerful example than Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Aging. Evolution of attitudes toward homosexuality, the emergence of HIV/AIDS, and legal protections beginning to be afforded to same-sex relationships are all part of the changing world that has shaped and been shaped by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals who are now old.

This literature review was undertaken in order to determine what caregivers needed to know about elderly sexuality, to determine the needs of elderly people related to their sexuality, and to determine how caregivers could best assist them in meeting those needs. In selecting materials to be annotated for this book, the first priority was given to empirical studies. Also included were articles by prominent practitioners and researchers interested in elderly sexuality, literature reviews, and books written for the lay population which are often cited in the professional literature. In addition to seeking knowledge about elderly sexuality and understanding attitudes about sexuality, this literature review sought information about measurement issues and measurement instruments frequently used in research within elderly populations. Also of interest were investigations of educational and training programs involving caregivers.

Awareness of the importance of sexuality and its disorders in the aging population is increasing as the proportion of older people increases. Based in part on the author's clinical experience and research at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, this book presents an up-to-date overview of the sexuality of aging men in health and illness, within a multidimensional conceptual framework. It takes into account physiological, psychological, interpersonal, and social influences. The book also discusses the impact of medical illness, psychopathology, and drugs, with a review of coping strategies in shaping individual sexual responses to aging and disease. The author incorporates many case studies and vignettes, and devotes a chapter to the sexuality of older gay men. A balanced account of medical and psychosocial evaluation and treatment concludes the book, which will be of broad interest to clinicians and students interested in sexuality and aging.