Title : Growing older and being prepared to enjoy your sexuality
Abstract:
Both providers and the older adults were not comfortable bringing up and discussing sexuality (Bauer, 2022). In addition, it was found that frequently older adults may not be aware of how to approach sexual concerns, so they do not share the problem or question with healthcare providers or their partners or potential partners. Older adults may not have any knowledge of what sexual health is and they may end up living with a treatable issue secondary to not knowing what is normal and what is not (Haesler, 2016). Frequently healthcare providers display ageism toward older adults that can lead to poor communication regarding sex and related issues, and this has limited important education regarding sexually transmitted infections (STI) and healthy sexuality (Velloso et al, 2021). Sexual education is necessary to increase sexual knowledge and improve attitudes regarding sexuality within the older population along with reducing STI’s (Chen et al, 2020). The purpose of this study was to assess sexual knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy in older adults pre- and post-participation in a 6-week holistic sexuality education program. This was a mixed pretest, posttest quantitative design study with qualitative focus group follow-up. Twenty-three older adult participants (over 50) participated in one of three 6-week sexuality education courses for older adults. Each participant completed the Aging Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes Scale (ASKAS) and the Sexual Self Perception and Adjustment (SSPAQ) Questionnaire pre- and post-course. Focus groups held post-course to gather qualitative data on participant experience. Sexual knowledge increased as a result of course participation. There was no significant change in attitudes, or self-efficacy. Participants described the course helped them become better communicators, self-advocates, and reinforced their sexual self-efficacy. Self-efficacy increased in this study, but it was not significant. Holistic sexuality education can have a positive impact on older adults. There are many benefits regarding a healthy sex life one being a longer life span and an increase in quality of life. (Levkovich et al, 2021 & Allen, 2022). Many older adults remain sexually active. Older adults and health care providers both need more education regarding sexuality and older adults. We need to communicate and learn more about sexuality and older adults, so knowledge and being comfortable with this topic increases. Not asking questions could lead to either delayed or no diagnoses and/or treatments. The stigma regarding older adults by others and as well as within older adults themselves and sexuality may often cause negative effects. For example, there is not enough appropriate available health care for this population regarding sexuality (Syme, 2015).
