SEXUALITY AND INTIMACY IN ALZHEIMERS PATIENTS AND THEIR PARTNERS

Geriatric Sexuality remains one of the more sensitive and controversia l issues to be confronted in today's clinical setting. Research indica tes that older adults continue to be sexually active well into later l ife. Older adults with dementing illnesses experience deleterious chan ges in sexual functioning that call affect their quality of life. Howe ver few health care professionals ask older adults about their sexual functioning. This paper addresses means of fostering acceptance by pro fessionals and families and creating an environment that nurtures sexu ality in couples coping with dementia.