Seniors and Sexual Health

Sexuality and sexual health are significant features of our lives, but the taboo that surrounds the topics of sex and sexuality is intensified to an even greater extent when it comes to seniors. In this day and age, there is greater openness and willingness to have important conversations regarding sexuality, sexual expression, and sexual health than there was even just a decade ago. 

Overcoming Stigmas and Convention

The reality is, however, that these efforts are most often directed toward those in adolescence and adulthood, and very little emphasis has been placed on working to promote a willingness to talk about the sexuality of older members of the population. Popular discourse tends to support the notion that seniors and older adults lack any form of sexual drive or desire. The common understanding, influenced in large part by the taboo that still accompanies discussions of seniors’ sexuality, is that older individuals no longer take part in sexual activity or have the same degree of sexual desire as younger members of the population. Contrary to these beliefs, however, sexual intimacy continues to be an enriching and important aspect of life for many seniors.

Yes, Seniors Are Still Having Sex!

Sex is an uncomfortable topic for a lot of people, and even with the attempts made over recent years to reduce the negative connotation and taboo previously associated with notions of sex and sexuality, most of us aren’t quite comfortable casually discussing sex in everyday conversations quite yet. Throw in the added variable of talking about sex amongst individuals of more advanced age, and most people rush to change the subject before the conversation even begins. For many people, it is easier to pretend that their aging parents, family members, or acquaintances are just not having sex at all than it is to think about the realities of understanding or discussing senior intimacy and sexuality.

The truth is that most seniors are engaged in intimate sexual relationships in their older age, whether it be within a marriage or outside of one for those seniors who are single or dating.

While the ways in which sexuality is expressed and explored may undergo changes over the course of one’s life, sexual desire and needs for intimacy don’t simply cease to exist once a certain age is reached.

Seniors and Safe Sex

As previously mentioned, the vast majority of efforts related to education and the promotion of safe sex and good sexual health have been directed toward youth and young adults. For this reason, making sure that seniors are educated and actively engaging in practices of safe sex has often been overlooked.

With more seniors dating after a divorce or the death of a spouse than ever before, casual sex or sex outside of committed, long-term relationships is a normal aspect of life for many older adults. Comprehensive sexual education wasn’t really provided to youth in the time that today’s seniors were young, and the fact that little sexual education is directed to older adults now means that today’s seniors might not have a lot of knowledge about safe sex practices. Studies have indicated that the instances of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) amongst the senior population is on the rise.

Having the Conversation

It may make us a little uncomfortable to think about it at times; however, the reality is that seniors are having sex. When caring for a senior loved one, it is important to make sure that all of their needs are properly met and tended to, and sexual health and wellbeing shouldn’t be ignored just because they involve an uncomfortable conversation. Opening a dialogue with seniors about their sexual health, whether they be married or dating, is important, especially in terms of making sure that they are made aware of how to protect themselves and have safe sex.