Sexuality in long term care : exploring the experiences, attitudes, and perceptions of nurses working within a LTC facility

Abstract

Sexuality and sexual needs in the older population are still under-researched, particularly in long-term care settings (LTC). Since some of the older residents in LTC have major frailties and frequently significant neurocognitive impairments, it is difficult for nurses and other care professionals to assess and accept that an older resident has potential to participate in sexual interactions, which often results in applying societal held prejudices on the topic of sexuality in old age amongst the sexually active older residents. The aim of this study was to explore experiences, beliefs and attitudes of nurses working in a long-term care facility towards sexuality amongst older adults residing in a LTC facility. Four nurses who worked in a LTC facility participated in this study. Data was collected through semi-structured individual interviews using open ended questions via the platform Zoom, due to the restrictions imposed at the time of the study due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and then analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Despite all participants agreeing on the importance of sexuality and sexual expression in old age and in LTC facilities, they also noted instances where the prejudices associated with the topic played an important role both in their personal life and in their profession. Additionally, the participants cited a variety of strategies for enhancing treatment for sexual concerns, such as expanding staff training opportunities, ensuring privacy, and changing unfavourable attitudes among family, residents, and staff, for more improvements in the Maltese LTC system.