Premium
Assessment of sexual health and sexual needs in residential aged care
Author(s) -
McAuliffe Linda,
Bauer Michael,
Fetherstonhaugh Deirdre,
Chenco Carol
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/ajag.12181
Subject(s) - quarter (canadian coin) , reproductive health , needs assessment , residential care , health care , medicine , aged care , environmental health , census , gerontology , psychology , geography , population , social science , archaeology , sociology , economic growth , economics
Aim To investigate if, when and how assessments regarding residents' sexual health and needs occur within A ustralian residential aged care facilities. Method A census of all A ustralian residential aged care facilities was conducted. A survey developed specifically for the project was posted to all 2766 residential aged care services in A ustralia. Eight weeks were allowed for the return of surveys. Results A total of 1094 completed surveys were returned, representing a 39.7% response rate. The type of information most often collected concerned disruptive sexual behaviour, and assessments most frequently occurred following disruptive behaviour. One‐quarter of facilities reported having a sexual health/needs assessment form, although only 10 facilities provided evidence of this. Conclusion Survey responses indicated that sexual health and needs are not routinely assessed in residential aged care, and facilities do not commonly have a dedicated sexual health/needs assessment form to guide them through an assessment process.