Sexual behaviors and attitudes of geriatric residents in long-term care facilities

To date, there has been little research focusing upon the sexuality of elders, especially those living in long-term care institutions. The present study explores the sexual attitudes and behaviors of residents of senior citizens' homes. Subjects included 40 residents (17 men and 23 women) from two facilities. Subjects completed questionnaires measuring frequency of sexual activity, sexual desire, sexual attitudes, and sexual satisfaction. Additional items measured ratings of physical and emotional health and perceptions of their residence as facilitating or preventing sexual activity. Results indicated that sexual activity was infrequent for both males and females. Males reported significantly higher levels of sexual desire than did females. Age was negatively correlated with solitary sexual desire and with sexual attitudes. Decreased sexual satisfaction was associated with perceptions of poor emotional health and lack of privacy in the residence. Degree of religiosity was negatively correlated with sexual attitudes, and sexual self-efficacy expectations were positively correlated with sexual desire. The implications of these findings are discussed with respect to quality of life in geriatric residences.