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The predominant attitude of the care and management staff at many residential care homes may be a leading cause for the resistance toward sexuality. Elderly residents are often treated patronizingly by care workers, who see them as sexless or childlike. This mind-set, typical among members of the general public as well, is reflected in the term “ageism,” defined as the negative view of aging people, a view that is common in Western societies.
Residential care facilities which promote a balance between providing care and retaining autonomy are often thought to be the best option for the elderly who can no longer live alone, but these services frequently come at the price of sexual expression. Many residents are denied sexual relationships, which are considered by many to be a basic human right.
Services frequently come at the price of sexual expression. Many residents, specifically those with a form of dementia, are denied sexual relationships, which are considered by many to be a basic human right. Although residential care homes advertise an independent lifestyle, most lack sufficient privacy for sexual expression.
Staff members are typically required to report any knowledge of a relationship. Such discussions often disregard the wishes of the resident. In these cases of resident sexuality, management’s duty to appease the residents’ families often outweighs their duty to the residents’ independence.
Elderly residents are often treated patronizingly by care workers, who see them as sexless or childlike. This mindset, typical among members of the general public as well, is reflected in the term “ageism,” defined as the negative view of aging people. Ageism stems from cultural values including a fear of death, productivity-based societal worth, and the association of youth with sexuality.
More than 50 percent of people in residential care homes for the elderly have some form of dementia, but laws regarding consent don’t generally address people with dementia. Without specific guidelines, most homes favor a paternalistic, conservative approach to avoid criticism.
A person-based approach could be valuable in preserving autonomy for residents and improving their quality of life. Findings have indicated that maintaining meaningful contact and compassion can counter the negative health effects of loneliness in old age.
Older people find themselves under the constant “gaze” of staff with little opportunity for privacy. Holding hands socially acceptable but patronized: “Isn’t it cute?” Tendency to patronize and infantilize older people—hugging, kissing without permission, baby talk.
As autonomy becomes compromised, what was once private is now someone else’s business, and this extends even to intimate aspects of one’s life. This is a consideration for people whose dementia advances while they remain in their own homes, but it is much more acutely felt when they must live with other people in institutional care.
Although residential care homes advertise an independent lifestyle, most lack sufficient privacy for sexual expression. If an opportunity for intimacy is indeed found, the privacy can be short-lived. Staff members are typically required to report any knowledge of a relationship. This is done so that management can be aware and the situation can be discussed with the families of the residents.
