Intimacy for Older Adults in Long-term Care: A Need, a Right, a Privilege - or a Kind of Care?
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Authors
Schouten, V
Henrickson, M
Cook, Catherine
McDonald, S
Atefi, N
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BMJ
Abstract
Background
To investigate attitudes of staff, residents and family members in long-term care towards sex and intimacy among older adults, specifically the extent to which they conceptualise sex and intimacy as a need, a right, a privilege or as a component of overall well-being.
Methods
The present study was a part of a two-arm mixed-methods cross-sectional study using a concurrent triangulation design. A validated survey tool was developed; 433 staff surveys were collected from 35 facilities across the country. Interviews were conducted with 75 staff, residents and family members.
Results
It was common for staff, residents and family members to talk about intimacy and sexuality in terms of rights and needs. As well as using the language of needs and rights, it was common for participants to use terms related to well-being, such as fun, happiness or being miserable. One participant in particular (a staff member) described receiving intimate touch as a ‘kind of care’—a particularly useful way of framing the conversation.
Conclusion
While staff, residents and family frequently used the familiar language of needs and rights to discuss access to intimate touch, they also used the language of well-being and care. Reframing the conversation in this way serves a useful purpose: it shifts the focus from simply meeting minimum obligations to a salutogenic approach—one that focuses on caring for the whole person in order to improve overall well-being and quality of life.
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Source
Journal of Medical Ethics 2022; 48:723-727. doi:10.1136/medethics-2020-107171
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This is the Author's Accepted Manuscript of an article published in the Journal of Medical Ethics © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.