The Sexual Health of Residents in Aging Services: An Often-Forgotten and Potentially Unmet Need

​In support of providing person-centered care for older adults, one article suggests gerontological nurses receive continued education and training on sexual health and its relation to dementia care, according to an article published in the May 2018 issue of the Journal of Gerontological Nursing. The authors discuss how sexual health is an "often-neglected aspect of dementia care," perhaps because of the popular, albeit ageist, perception of older adults being asexual. However, the authors note that the subject will continue to be of importance because the population of older adults living with dementia is expected to double every 20 years. According to the article, both health care professionals and older adults are hesitant—to say the least—to discuss sexual needs, preferences, and concerns, often because of embarrassment or discomfort, feelings that may be exacerbated when concerning older adults living with dementia.