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Sex and Aging

Sex and Aging. Presented by Dr. Susan Harris Director, Gerontology academic Program Sanford Center for Aging June 4, 2014 CEP 756 Sexual Issues in Therapy. Aging. http://vimeo.com/90718741. Activity. Brainstorm

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Sex and Aging

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  1. Sex and Aging Presented by Dr. Susan Harris Director, Gerontology academic Program Sanford Center for Aging June 4, 2014 CEP 756 Sexual Issues in Therapy

  2. Aging • http://vimeo.com/90718741

  3. Activity • Brainstorm Think of the following age groups of people who are engaged in sexual activity. What comes to mind? What do they look like? What issues might they be facing? 12- 18 years of age 19 – 40 years of age 41 – 55 years of age 55 – 65 years of age 66 – 75 years of age 75+ years of age http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9uKviVt3Zc

  4. Sexuality in Seniors

  5. The work YOU do is important! • How are you going to meet the counseling needs of older persons? • What do you know about aging? • What do you know about cohort differences? Prior to class you read: Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Older Adults (Wilson, 2006) What are your thoughts regarding STDs and older persons?

  6. AARP: Sex and Older Adults Interesting links: • http://www.aarp.org/giving-back/local-heroes/info-01-2011/educating_older_adults_about_hivaids.html • http://www.aarp.org/relationships/love-sex/info-02-2008/aids_prevention_for_50plus_pushed.1.html

  7. Stats from the 2009 Sex Survey Among Americans aged 45 and older, about... • 54% are married • 5% aren't married but are in a committed relationship • 30% are single (widowed, divorced, or never married) but aren't dating • 10% are single and are actively dating-meaning they have a current or recent sex partner. People in this group were among the happiest in the survey. • 1 in 5 say they're looking for a person to date. • 29% would describe their partner as "imaginative about sex."

  8. 46% are they're less satisfied with their sex life than they were a decade ago. • 64% have never discussed their sexual fantasies with their partners. • 8% of men and 2% of women have a same-sex partner. • 1 in 5 women in their 50s say they'd be quite happy to never have sex again. About 1 in 50 men in their 50s agree. • 30% of men say they have some degree erectile dysfunction (E.D.). About 23% say they've been officially diagnosed with E.D. or impotence (which has increased by 6% since 2004).

  9. 60% of men aged 45-59 rated their sexual relationship as "extremely pleasurable," but only 41% of women in this age group agree. They were almost four times more likely as men to rate their sexual relationship as "not pleasurable at all." • 29% of men want their partners to initiate sex more often. • 20% of men and 12% of women have oral sex at least once a week. • 45% of men and 8% of women say they think of sex at least once a day. • 73% of men and 33% of women in their 50s say they have an orgasm every time they have sex. • http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/general/srr_09.pdf

  10. Sex in the Fifties • http://www.aarp.org/relationships/love-sex/info-05-2010/2009-aarp-sex-survey.1.html

  11. Sex, Seniors, and STDs • http://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-04-2011/sex-seniors-stds.html

  12. Another Perspective • http://blog.aarp.org/2012/10/11/the-1-reason-why-men-and-women-over-50-cheat-its-not-what-you-think/?intcmp=outbrain&obref=obnetwork

  13. Attitudes About Sex Depression Era Attitudes about Sex • 78% disapproves of extramarital affairs • Feels pop culture today places too much emphasis on sex • Feels that sex becomes less important to people as they age • 43.5% disapprove of sex outside of marriage • Less receptive to sex related activities such as watching adult films, using sex toys, swinging, phone sex, online sex, sex in public places and variety in positions

  14. Attitudes About Sex Boomers Attitudes about Sex • Disapprove of extramarital affairs in the same proportion as depression era- 73%, 78.5% respectively • Feels pop culture today places too much emphasis on sex • Feels strongly that sex is for every age • Large majority believes that sex should not be reserved for married couples- singles, divorced and widow(er)s should continue to enjoy benefits of sex • More receptive to sex related activities particularly among females compared to the depression era females

  15. Psychological Aspects Personal Beliefs and Feelings • Interpersonal relationship issues • Personal reactions to the physical aspects of aging • Surgeries that impair a person’s self concept, mastectomy, ostomy, prostatectomy, hysterectomy, heart surgery • Performance Anxiety- particularly in males • Accept and internalize society’s view of asexual seniors • Low self esteem • History of abuse, physical or psychological pain • Traumatic childbirth experiences

  16. Sociocultural Influences • Research focus- from 1990-1999 there were 5000 studies on male sexual function and 2000 on female sexual function • Feel like undignified ladies or dirty old men if they express interest in sex • Few role models of elderly sexuality • Media Images of sexuality

  17. AARP Follow Up on Sex Survey: 2nd Report Focused on Hispanics (45+) Hispanics are more sexually active than general public (45+) • Believe that healthy sex life is important to maintaining a successful relationship • Sexual satisfaction higher amongst married rather than single • Feel that sex is a duty to one’s partner and for procreation • Are less likely to think that sex becomes less important with age (42% among Hispanics compared to 49% in general population) • 65% of Hispanics who are married are extremely or somewhat satisfied with ther sex life: much higher than those who are single (32%) http://www.aarp.org/about-aarp/press-center/info-06-2010/hispanic_sex_survey.html

  18. Intimacy Intimacy has more to do with shared moments than sexual interactions and involve: • Knowledge • Caring • Interdependence • Mutuality • Trust • Commitment

  19. Sexuality Sexuality includes the need for intimacy • Caressing • Touching • Holding • Laying side by side • Sexual acts

  20. Benefits of Sex • Immune System Enhancement • Natural Pain Relief • Tension Relief • Preventing Depression and Boosting Self Esteem • Longer Life • Aerobic Benefits

  21. Autonomy and Sexual Expression Same Sex Relationships • Few senior living communities for GLBT- RainbowVision • First GLBT nursing home in Europe is opening in Berlin • Most GLBT seniors are required to stay in the closet or go back into it when moving into a senior living environment • This can lead to loneliness and isolation • Some relationships may be focused on intimacy and not sex • SAGE- Services and advocacy for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender elders

  22. Education Family Members and Healthcare Professionals • Encourage them to separate their own feelings and beliefs from the relationship • Provide senior sex education to staff members on a routine basis- ''Freedom of Sexual Expression: Dementia and Resident Rights in Long-Term Care Facilities” video • Incorporate senior sexuality articles, books etc in the community library • Use state Ombudsman or like agency to provide education to staff, family members or healthcare professionals

  23. Education Family Members and Healthcare Professionals • Incorporate sexual health and wellness into the assessment process • Ask the senior whether they are sexually active and if they want or need to speak with a physician or other health care professional about the relationship • If sexually active, discuss safe sex and the risks of sexually transmitted diseases and the increasing frequency of new diagnosed STD cases among seniors

  24. Jeannine Clark “Promoting Awareness of Sexuality and Sexual Health in the Elderly”http://echo.unr.edu/ess/echo/presentation/6eab576d-72cb-4c17-9e45-f24035efadb0

  25. Bibliography AARP, July and August 2005- Sex in America AARP, Sex, Romance, and Relationships: AARP Survey of Midlife and Older Adults, 2010/2009 Abbott-Schultz, B. & Vadakin, S. E., Sex and Seniors: Promoting Sexual Health & Wellness in Older Adults. ALFA Conference & Expo, 2008. Administration on Aging homepage- www.aoa.gov Annals of Long Term Care, Volume 12, Issue 9, September 2004- Sexuality in Long Term Care:Ethics and Action Clinical Geriatrics, Volume 8, Issue 10, October 2000- Sexually Disinhibited Behavior in the Cognitively Impaired Elderly CNN.com,August 22, 2007- Study: Seniors having more sex than you think Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality, Volume 8, August 24, 2005- Promoting awareness of sexuality of older people in residential care MayoClinic.com, December 7, 2007- Low Sex Drive in Women Nursing & Residential Care, August 2007, Volume 9 number 8- Sexuality: Let’s Talk about it New England Journal of Medicine, August 23, 2007, Volume 357, Number 8- A Study of Sexuality and Health among Older Adults in the United States

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