Clinical Counseling

Human sexuality is part of life, regardless of age or where someone resides. Previous research on older adult sexual expression in nursing homes has primarily focused on staff perceptions – almost all of which was conducted using quantitative methods. This phenomenological study aimed to explore sexual expression as it was perceived, experienced, and practiced by ten older adults, ages 65 and older, residing in a nursing facility. This paper will explore themes associated with the self-perception of affordances and barriers to engage in sexual expression, and how we as mental health counselors may best serve the needs of older adults and advocate for affirming policies.

Previous research on older adults in nursing home facilities has focused on medical care, safe and dignifying living conditions, quality of life variables, and assessment of senility and sexual disinhibition, or inappropriate sexual behavior, almost all of which was conducted using quantitative methods. The aim of this study was to give voice to ten older adults (six men and four women) who had been living in a nursing home and the four staff (one social worker and three registered nurses) who cared for them. This study aimed to explore sexual expression as it was perceived, experienced, and practiced by those older adults. Participants were asked to give their accounts during semi-structured interviews. The succeeding transcripts were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis and seven emergent themes were identified, including (1) demographic differences, (2) gender differences related to marriage and sexual interest, (3) self as a sexual being, (4) updating the sexu...