The Nursing Approachs to Sexual/Reproductive Health in the Elderly: A Topic Ignored in Turkey

Abstract

Old aging is a social and cultural event involvingphysical and cognitive degradation, loss of health, andchanges in social status. The physiological,psychological, and social changes that take place in thisperiod affect individuals’ sexuality and partnerrelationships. Sexual dysfunctions are one of thephysiological factors that affect the frequency of sexualactivity of older women and men. Healthcareprofessionals working in the field of geriatric healthhave education, counseling, and reassurance roles interms of sexual dysfunctions and interventions. Nurseshave great responsibilities in determining the needs ofelderly individuals and providing nursing care to meetthese needs. It is needed to create suitable environmentswith a holistic nursing approach where individuals orcouples can comfortably discuss their sexual problems,assess their sexual functions, consider these in the careplan and carry out more training towards the protectionof sexual health in patient educations. All thesepractices play an important role in increasing quality oflife, preserving sexual health, and improving it. Asreproductive health services and problems as a wholecovering sexuality are an issue that concerns men andwomen at all ages, they need to be dealt with as a wholein continuity.