Abstract:

Drawing on the gerontological & other health literatures, the sexual needs of the elderly, & the positive health effects associated with the satisfaction of those needs, are described, in attempting to refute the widely held belief that the elderly as a group are sexless. This stereotype is especially prevalent in long-term care institutions, which are usually sex-segregated & afford their residents virtually no privacy. Patients who establish sexual relationships in nursing homes are sometimes labeled as troublesome and are tranquilized. Changes in Canadian health care regulations that would ameliorate the problem are suggested.