Äldre och sexualitet

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to describe elderly patient’s experience of their sexuality and to describe challenges in the communication between nursing staff and older patients about sexual issues. Method: It was a systematic literature review. Result:The result showed that sexuality according to the elderly was more than intercourse, amongst others nearness and touching was also included. Sexuality gave a sense of wellness and it was always remaining. At the same time there was an experience that the sexual urge was diminishing or disappearing and it was more health issues than age per se that lead the importance of sexuality to diminish. Old age was experienced by both patient and nursing staff as a barrier to communicating about sexuality. The elderly felt that sexuality was private and was not to be discussed, and sexual problems caused the elderly to feel shame. Some nursing staff felt that it was normal when elderly did not have a sexual life, others felt that it was harder to raise the issue of sexuality with elderly than with younger people. Jean Watson nursing model was in the result discussion linked to the result. She says that sexuality is a basic need for humans and that nursing should be practiced from a holistic point of view.