Supporting sexual activity in long-term care

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Bioethics
• Nursing Practice

Background:

• Long-term care facilities frequently encounter ethical challenges concerning residents' sexual expression.
• Existing guidelines for ethically supporting sexual activity in this setting are insufficient.
• Resident autonomy and quality of life are impacted by the ability to express sexuality.

Observation:

• Nurses face daily ethical dilemmas regarding resident sexuality.
• Lack of clear ethical frameworks complicates care decisions.
• Resident sexual expression can be beneficial but also poses risks.

Findings:

• A novel ethical decision-making framework has been developed for care providers.
• The framework guides nurses in responding to residents' sexual expression.
• It involves weighing the benefits of sexual expression against potential harm and offense.

Implications:

• This framework provides practical guidance for nurses in long-term care.
• It supports ethical decision-making in complex resident care situations.
• Implementing the framework can improve the quality of life for residents by respecting their sexuality.