Only Casual Sex

Are you ever too old to have sex? The majority of the public assumes there comes a time that is so, but you would be surprised to know how many elderly people engage in regular sex in nursing homes. The New England Journal of Medicine published a study showing seniors stay sexually active up to their 80’s and 90’s in many cases. Some even use sexually enhancing drugs way into their golden years. For an unestablished reason, people frown upon sex among the elder population. When those living in nursing homes are discouraged from expressing their sexuality, it can disrupt the peace in the environment. Elderly people have the right to engage in sex like anyone else and their desire is as high as any other demographic, even college students.

Nursing Homes Are Sexual Hot Beds

Now that this information is becoming more mainstream, and we realize people are living longer and having full lives way into their 90’s, we see that sex is indeed still a possibility. There is an assumption that when one partner enters a nursing facility, the sexual and romantic relationship is suspended. Geriatric studies show time and again that there is no slow-down in romance or sex between elderly couples. As many as 73% of nursing home residents admit to having sex, wanting to have sex, and/or dreaming about sex. The truth is, this has always been a fact, but no one bothered to bust the myth because no one wants to talk about senior sex.

The Elderly Are Having Sex More Than Ever

Nursing homes are well ware that their residents are still active and that it is their right to do so. It is a residence. Anything a person would do at home can be done there. Staff is also required to make it as easy as possible for these relationships to take place. If both participants are in shared rooms, staff will move one to a single room. This is definitely an advantage the college kids don’t have. No one is waiting around to help make sure they have sex every night. Some nursing homes implement special policies for those who’d like to get it on. This might include a special bungalow, knock only admittance, and even planned couple’s events by the staff.

Sex Does Not Have To Stop In Your Old Age Anymore

Society is changing. People are living longer, healthier lives. Sex is going to remain in our lives for even longer than ever before. Strangely enough, sexually transmitted diseases are often a problem in nursing home environments. Almost five percent of people on Medicare use it for STD screenings. One area that may need improvement is educating seniors on the threats of STD’s and how to prevent them. This lack of prevention may be partially due to age-related illnesses like dementia and Alzheimer’s. This would cause a person to forget about disease protection, the risks of STD’s and even that they’ve had sex recently. These are all issues that must be addressed to protect our senior population.

STDs In Nursing & Retirement Homes Is A Major Issue

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show rapid growths in S.T.D.’s among elder people. Between 2007 and 2011, chlamydia infections among senior Americans over 65 went up 31 percent. Syphilis was up by 52 percent. Those stats are similar to S.T.D. trends in the college-aged, 20- to 24-year-old group, where chlamydia went up by 35 percent and syphilis by just over 64 percent. Professionals believe there are four key issues contributing to the rise in S.T.D.’s among elder Americans.

Retirement homes are extremely similar to college dorms. A bunch of similarly-aged people living in close proximity, attending the same social events. Things will occur naturally within any age group in a situation like this. Seniors are living longer and healthier lives than ever before, resulting in a sex life that is strong for decades. People are still enjoying sex into their 60’s and beyond.

Ignorance to safe sex is another reason for the higher STD rates. Seniors believe they don’t need condoms because they can’t get pregnant. They dot believe their partners are having s much sex as they are, just like the rest of us. All resulting in higher STD rates. If we believe the statistics, nursing home residents re having just as much, and just as satisfying sex as college aged adults.