A Review of Sexuality and the Chronically Ill Older Adult: A Social Justice Issue

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Recommended: Research on human sexuality

Introduction

This article “Sexuality and the Chronically Ill Older Adult: A Social Justice Issue” is published in the journal Sexuality and Disability and the authors are Verna C Pangman and Marilyn Seguire. The article provides an overview and outline on sexuality in the older adult with a chronic illness. In today’s world, according to Verna C Pangman and Marilyn Seguire, sexuality for the older adult and the elderly is a “taboo” word, and if mentioned, fear and apprehension by the older adult and society develops. The older adult, believe that when they are ill or have a chronic disease process or even disabled they are not able to have lasting relationships, be engaged in sexual activity, and the result is the older adult experiencing unvalued, unappreciated and not important. The article presents a thorough and detailed view on sexuality and the chronically ill older adult.

Summary

Sex is usually associated with the younger generation therefore individuals believe that the older adult do not engage in sexual activity. They believe that the older adult are “old, weak, feeble and in poor health” thus the older adult cannot have sex. The world today tend to forget to address and understand the magnitude that sexuality has on the older adults security, comfort, interest and health has resulted that the sexuality of the older adult has been left unnoticed and ignored. Verna C Pangman and Marilyn Seguire have cited different definitions from varied references on sexuality. The article points out the fact that health care professionals have ignored the sexual concerns of the older adult and any age group. Nurses and health care professionals are not comfortable addressing sexuality and sexual concerns with their patients. For nu...

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... professionals receive the correct training, the nurse will be able to address the sexual concerns, give accurate information and can offer sexual counseling and health teaching on this topic. It is crucial, that in today’s world, that society recognized the older adult’s independence, nurses be more involved in these changes to ensure that sexuality in the chronically ill older adult, and that society becomes more aware of the this topic. Finally, the article addressed all the main concerns of sexuality and the chronically ill older adult, the concern of the nursing profession inability to provide the services needed to these patients regarding sexuality in the chronically ill older adult

Works Cited

Pangman, V. C., & Seguire, M. (2000, March). Sexuality and the chronically ill older adult: A social justice issue. Sexuality & Disability, 18(1), 49-59.

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