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Old people should be encouraged to have sex in care homes if they want to, experts say
Old people should be encouraged to have sex in care homes if they want to, a new study suggests.
Care staff should be trained to give support to the elderly who wish to have an active sex life.
But often 'older adults are more likely to face discrimination when it comes to their sexual health and wellbeing', and any difficulties they may have in sex.
What's more, relationships are not taken seriously by medical professionals, the study said.
New training designed to break down barriers and tackle discrimination older adults can face around sex and relationships is set to be rolled out in care homes across Sheffield, thanks to the University of Sheffield’s Sexual Rights Charter.
Old people should be encouraged to have sex in care homes if they want to, a new University of Sheffield study suggests (file photo)
The UK’s first Sexual Rights Charter was created by researchers at the University’s Healthy Lifespan Institute in collaboration with Age-friendly Sheffield.
It was launched in 2022 to help tackle the silence around the sex lives of older adults while improving sexual health and wellbeing.
It’s designed to empower people to have open and frank discussions about sex so that older adults are able to get the support they need, with support services guided on how it should be provided.
Research has found that older adults are more likely to face discrimination when it comes to their sexual health and wellbeing, such as not having difficulties taken seriously by medical professionals or not being able to manage their sexual expression in care homes due to a lack of privacy alongside staff attitudes.
The charter is a suite of materials designed to help health and social care professionals, service providers and the wider community develop inclusive practices and policies to ensure that people are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve, whatever their age.
Professor Sharron Hinchliff, lead researcher on the project and Professor of Psychology and Health at the University’s School of Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Midwifery, said: 'In adult social care, it is important to have an open culture towards sexuality so the charter helps create that.
'The resources we are developing will be a key step in giving care home staff the guidance and understanding they need to better support residents.
'We’re also exploring ways to expand the literature in terms of transgender and diverse sexual identities to make the charter even more inclusive.'