Older Adults Sexuality: Role of Social Workers – Can They Talk to Us?

Older adults Sexuality: Role of social workers – Can they talk to us?

Background and Purpose

As the older population in the United States grows, so does sexual activity among older individuals (Goodson, 2010). Studies show that the majority of this population does not discuss sexuality or issues related to sexuality with anyone, including their physicians.

Researchers have linked this non-expression of older adults’ sexuality to the ageist culture in our society, in which sexual behavior is equated with youth (Bradway & Beard, 2015). This creates a social construction of sexuality in which old age is viewed as asexual. Consequently, those who internalize this stereotype view their sexuality as private, while those who are more expressive are stigmatized (Bradway & Beard, 2015). Older persons also face discrimination from providers who have the misconception that this population is asexual. In combination, these experiences of stigmatization and discrimination constitute a crisis for this population with regard to sexual health.

Recent research has shown that older adults are becoming increasingly receptive to discussing their sexual health with health professionals, such as nurses, physicians, and social workers involved in their care. However, little is known about this population’s preferences in terms of who they feel most comfortable with when discussing their sexual needs and concerns. This study fills this gap by assessing whether older adults are comfortable discussing their sexual health concerns with social workers.

Project Methodology

A sexuality survey was designed to examine older adults’ perceptions regarding discussing sexual health issues with social workers in NYC. The questionnaire was hand-delivered to ten senior care agencies in the community that had agreed to leave copies of the survey in waiting areas along with posters that described the survey’s purpose. Eighty completed surveys were collected, which included individuals between 50 and 75 years of age. Most were female (68%), while 32% were male. Ethnically, respondents were quite diverse- 54% black, 24% white, 10% Hispanics, and 12% of other ethnicity. The questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics for content analysis for identified need.

Findings

Our survey uncovered important perceptions regarding the role and competence of social workers in meeting the sexual health needs of older adults. The respondents indicated that they preferred that social workers initiate the conversation, and that they would rather discuss their sexual activities privately, without the involvement of family members. Moreover, they expressed a desire for providers to make more information and literature available for private consumption.

Implications

Possibly far more than most professional groups, social workers have had the highest level of comfort in initiating the discussion of sexuality behaviors with older adults. They can promote this kind of communication and can play an active role in enhancing the quality of conversations about sexual health concerns with the older adult.

References

Bradway, K.E & Beard, R. E (2015).  Don’t be trying to Box Folks in”: older women’s sexuality. Affilia: Journal of Women and Social Work. 30( 4) , 504-518

Goodson, P. (2010). Sexual activity in middle to later life. BMJ, 340