This article outlines how care home staff can support safe sexual and intimate expression among older people. Older people may continue to engage in sexual and intimate acts in a residential setting; however, because of the stigma associated with sexual and intimate expression among older people, many care homes prohibit such intimacy. It is essential that care home staff adopt a person-centred approach to care that recognises the importance of maintaining the dignity and autonomy of residents while considering the potential for harm associated with sexual and intimate expression. This article discusses the issues associated with managing sexual and intimate expression among older people in care homes and uses a case study example to assist care homes in developing sexual health policies.
Nursing Standard. 31, 52, 52-63. doi: 10.7748/ns.2017.e10906
Correspondence Peer reviewThis article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software
Conflict of interestNone declared
Received: 28 May 2017
Accepted: 15 July 2017
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