Explores issues relevant to sexuality and old age and presents ideas for carers of older people in dealing with their feelings, desires and behaviour. Provides stories of the experiences of caregivers, families and people affected by dementia, illustrating the difficulties encountered by sexual partners and the complexity of the situations confronting professional carers. Includes a bibliography and an index. The author is a social worker and therapist. Her publications include 'Dementia with Dignity'.

Sexuality in residents of long-term care facilities is a topic rarely addressed except in cases of inappropriate behavior. After distinguishing between sexuality and intimacy, Doll (Center on Aging, Kansas State U.) examines societal, older adult, and staff attitudes toward sexual expression in seniors; the effects of aging on sexuality; family influences; spaces and policies for balancing public and private spaces; and the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered residents. The text includes case studies, assessment forms, exercises, discussion questions, and annotated further references.

Across the globe, both in developed and developing countries, the population is rapidly ageing. In the fields of sexual and relationship therapy and sexual health, ageing has not been an issue of priority. Too often, ageing is thought of as a process that relates to problems, deficits, and taboos, and less to pleasure, change, growth and diversity. It is treated as a separate life stage and not a process throughout the lifecycle. Sexuality and sexual health are important parts of the lives of older people, as they have a significant impact on quality of life, psychological well-being and physical health, as well as social and family life. This book brings together contributions from those currently writing on and researching ageing as it relates, in a therapeutic context, to gender identity, to sex and sexuality, and to intimate relationships. This book was originally published as a special issue of Sexual and Relationship Therapy.

The First Comprehensive Guide for Dealing with Dementia's Effect on Sex, Intimacy, and Relationships It is common for a person with dementia to exhibit inappropriate and uncharacteristic sexual behavior, including promiscuity, verbal abuse, aggression, grabbing, exhibitionism, and jealous paranoia. This behavior puts a strain on spouses and partners, as well as other loved ones and caregivers. Now, for the first time, esteemed geriatric neuropsychiatrist, Douglas Wornell, MD, provides essential information and practical solutions to cope with these troubling and often embarrassing actions by providing: information on the contributing role of medication (and overmedication), both prescribed and over-the-counter ways to handle inappropriate behaviors that respect the person with dementia, their loved ones, and their caregivers recommendations to minimize the legal risk and potential for injury in long-term care facilities personal stories of the many ways couples have chosen to deal with the changes to their sexual dynamic and relationship

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.

This is the first book to integrate theoretical insights into sexuality, sexual health and ageing, with research findings from studies conducted with older people and the professionals that work with them. It will be of interest to students, researchers, practitioner and policymakers working within gerontology, sociology, psychology, social work, nursing and medicine.

This open access book provides a comprehensive perspective on the concept of ageism, its origins, the manifestation and consequences of ageism, as well as ways to respond to and research ageism. The book represents a collaborative effort of researchers from over 20 countries and a variety of disciplines, including, psychology, sociology, gerontology, geriatrics, pharmacology, law, geography, design, engineering, policy and media studies. The contributors have collaborated to produce a truly stimulating and educating book on ageism which brings a clear overview of the state of the art in the field. The book serves as a catalyst to generate research, policy and public interest in the field of ageism and to reconstruct the image of old age and will be of interest to researchers and students in gerontology and geriatrics.