SEXUALITY AS A FACTOR OF QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE ELDERLY

Teoretična izhodišča: Naša družba se stara. Spolnost po 65, letu je še zmeraj precej neraziskano področje in mnogokrat v družbi predstavlja tabu temo. Znano je, da s starostjo upada spolna sla ter pojavijo bolezni in težave značilne za poznejše življensko obdobje, ki otežujejo spolne odnose. Nedvomno doprinaša spolnost k boljši oceni kakovosti življenja starostnikov. Namen raziskave je ugotoviti kako zadovoljni so starostniki s svojim spolnim življenjem, v kolikšni meri spolnost doprinaša k kakovosti njihovega življenja oz. ali je spolnost za njih sploh pomemben dejavnik kakovostnega življenja. Raziskovalne metode: Uporabili smo deskriptivno metodo dela, ki se je nanašala na študijo tuje in domače literature, ter analitično metodo dela, ki se je nanašala na rezultate ankete izvedene med naključno izbranimi starostniki v Podravski regiji. Rezultati: Na podlagi ankete smo ugotovili, da se ocena zdravja starostnikov povezuje z zadovoljstvom s spolnim življenjem (rezultat Pearsonovega koeficienta korelacije: r=0,634, p=0,297), in da glede na zadovoljstvo s spolnim življenjem ne obstaja razlika glede na spol (rezultat hi kvadrat testa: p>0,05, p=0,297). Ugotavljamo, da so najpogostejše težave s katerimi se srečujejo starostniki pri spolnosti pomanjkanje spolne sle in težave pri doseganju orgazma pri obeh spolih ter težave z vlažnostjo nožnice pri ženskah. Sklep: Spolnost v starejši dobi je premnogokrat postavljena v kot, čeprav je pomemben dejavnik, ki vpliva na kakovost življenja. Sodobna družba bi morala postati veliko bolj tolerantna pri temi spolnost nasploh, še posebej pa v določenih starostnih skupinah.Theoretical background: Our society is aging. Sexuality after the age of 65 is still a fairly unexplored field, and often represents a taboo topic in our society. It is known that with age, sexual desire decreases, health problems and disorders specific to this later period of life are on the increrase, all of which contribute to the making of sexual intercourse more difficult. Undoubtedly, sexual activity contributes to a better quality of life for older people. The purpose of this study is to determine how satisfied seniors are with their sex life, how much sexuality contributes to their quality of life , and sexual activity if at all, is an important contributing factor to their quality of life . Research Methods: We used a descriptive method, which included the study of domestic and international papers on the subject, as well as an analytical method of work, which included results of a survey performed among randomly selected elderly participants, who live in the Drava region. Results: Based on the survey, we concluded that the mental,and physical health of the elderly, correlates to the satisfaction with their sexual life. (the result of the Pearson correlation coefficient: r = 0.634, p = 0.297) The satisfaction with sexual life among elderly, is not gender specefic,(the Chi-square test result: p> 0.05, p = 0.297). We have found that the most common problems faced by elderly in theire sexual activity are, lack of sexual desire, problems in achieving orgasm in both sexes, and problems associated with vaginal moisture in women. Conclusion: Sexuality amongst the elderly, is too often ignored, as if it is an unimportant factor, effecting the quality of life in this age group