Sexual wellbeing for Seniors: How care providers are prioritising pleasure

Sexuality and intimacy remain important aspects of life as people age, including for older adults who live in assisted living and long-term care communities. However, care providers often overlook these issues or treat them as difficult topics. A new framework offers senior living organisations a structured way to recognise residents’ sexual well-being while also addressing concerns surrounding consent, safety, dignity and professional responsibilities.

Rachael F. Arielly, Nathalie Huitema, and Sarah J. Rogers developed the framework to help care organisations establish consistent approaches to sexual expression. It is particularly relevant for residents with cognitive impairment, where questions about decision-making capacity and consent can make situations more complicated. Rather than automatically restricting intimate behaviour, the framework encourages providers to consider residents’ rights, individual circumstances and overall quality of life while taking reasonable steps to prevent harm.

A central recommendation is the creation of a Sexual Health Committee. This multidisciplinary group can bring together professionals from different areas of care to develop policies, advise staff and help address difficult situations. The committee’s role is not simply to respond when problems arise; it is intended to establish a proactive, organisation-wide approach to sexual health and intimacy.

The framework is built around three major areas.

1. Establish clear values, legal requirements and ethical standards
   Before creating policies, senior living organisations should determine the values that will guide their approach. These principles should be consistent with applicable laws and regulations as well as the ethical responsibilities of healthcare and caregiving professionals. Establishing this foundation helps organisations create policies that respect residents while remaining within appropriate legal and professional boundaries.
2. Create consistent policies and procedures
   Once the organisation’s principles are established, they should be translated into clear written guidance. Policies can help staff understand how to respond to situations involving relationships, intimacy, consent and potential safety concerns. Having standardised procedures can reduce uncertainty and prevent individual staff members from relying solely on their personal beliefs or assumptions when making decisions.
3. Train staff and continually improve the approach
   Policies are only effective when employees understand how to use them. Staff training should help caregivers recognise healthy sexual expression, consider consent, respect privacy and respond appropriately when concerns arise. The Sexual Health Committee can also provide ongoing support when complex situations occur and revise organisational practices as new challenges or lessons emerge.

The broader message is that sexuality should not be separated from person-centred care simply because someone has moved into senior living or long-term care.

Written by VavaViolet Magazine's Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Sophie Blackman