Aging and Sexual Health
I had several takeaways from yesterday's lecture on aging and sexual health. One of these was that in the older adults population, it is still important for many of them that they remain sexually active. This is not only something that can be a meaningful occupation, but can also improve health by relieving pain, reducing stress, improving sleep and cognitive function, and even boosting the immune system and increasing life span. However, it is important to note that both male and female older adults experience physical changes as they age that can impact their participation in sexual activities. This is important to keep in mind when educating them and planning interventions. It is also good to know that males and females in long term relationships have different processes leading to participation in sexual activity. It is important to keep these physical and relational changes when approaching the topic of sex, as well as any beliefs that might be engrained in an individual, whether due to family, religion, or trauma. As OTs, we will be looking at how physical, mental, and emotional influences impact the occupation of sex in the clients that we work with.
The first intervention that an OT could do with an individual could relate to a session where the OT discusses their difficulty participating in sexual activity using the PLISSIT model. In this session, the OT could assess the specific difficulties the client might be having and work to address them in a way that is beneficial for the client. For example, if a client had a stroke and wanted to still participate in sexual activity, the OT could work on suggestions for positioning that might make this activity more safe and comfortable for the individual. If the deficits were outside of the OT's scope of practice, a referral to another practitioner could be made.
A group intervention could be a similar scenario, but with a couple instead of an individual. In this case, an OT could work with the client and their spouse to help remediate any difficulties that might be making participation in the occupation of sexual activity impossible. This could be suggesting positioning, or any adaptive equipment or preparatory activities such as heat or ice that might make this less difficult for the couple.
The first intervention that an OT could do with an individual could relate to a session where the OT discusses their difficulty participating in sexual activity using the PLISSIT model. In this session, the OT could assess the specific difficulties the client might be having and work to address them in a way that is beneficial for the client. For example, if a client had a stroke and wanted to still participate in sexual activity, the OT could work on suggestions for positioning that might make this activity more safe and comfortable for the individual. If the deficits were outside of the OT's scope of practice, a referral to another practitioner could be made.
A group intervention could be a similar scenario, but with a couple instead of an individual. In this case, an OT could work with the client and their spouse to help remediate any difficulties that might be making participation in the occupation of sexual activity impossible. This could be suggesting positioning, or any adaptive equipment or preparatory activities such as heat or ice that might make this less difficult for the couple.
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