Guest Lecture: Sexualities and Dementia
Date: 9 May 2019
Presented by: Dr. Cindy Jones
Watch as Dr. Cindy Jones helps us understand Sexualities and Dementia by discussing the benefits and barriers to expression of sexualities, the roles and responsibilities of health care professionals, and the ethical considerations.
Sexual expression is a part of life no matter what age we are and therefore older people living with dementia also need to be considered. In an aged care context, this can be a confronting and challenging issue for service providers and health professionals.
Responses can be reactive rather than proactive, with many staff not knowing what to do. There are beliefs that older people are asexual, and that sexual needs and behaviour is only for those who are “cognitively intact”. There can also be a lack of regard for non-heterosexual people living with dementia.