By the way, older people also have sex : A literature review of older people's sexual health and attitude

Background: Research showed that older people's sexual health is not addressed adequately in the health sector. It is a subject that is very limited or non-existent during basic training for nursing students. Older peoples sexually health has improved and hence there will be an even more important area for the nurse, who is responsible for the patient's health. Existing prejudices about sexuality of elderly people means that more knowledge is needed. Aim: The aim was to describe: 1. elderly person's experience of their sexual health and the health care receptions. 2. health care workers' attitudes towards older patients' sexual health. Method: A literature overview. Four qualitative and six quantitative studies between the years 2000- 2015 were analyzed. Results: Three main themes were identified; older people's experiences, that showed that older patients are healthier and more sexually active than before. The second main theme; health care workers experience of older people's sexual health showed that the patient's greatest obstacles to exercising their sexuality is the lack of private spaces. The nurse usually had a negative attitude to the elderly persons' sexual health, which could be due to nurses' ignorance and that sexuality is a sensitive subject. The third theme showed factors which affect sexual health in elderly. Conclusion: More information is needed about the elderly person's sexual health for patients and more training in nursing. Many older suppress their sexuality because of different standards and taboos in society, which may lead to unnecessary suffering