ABSTRACT
Internationally, it is estimated that the number of adults aged 65 or older will outnum-
ber children under the age of 5 by the year 2016 (United Nations Department of Eco-
nomic and Social Affairs, Population Division, 2013). Between 2012 and 2050, the
number of adults aged 65 and older in the United States (US) will increase by over
100% from approximately 40.3 to 88.5 million people, representing 20% of the US
population (United States Census Bureau, 2012). Despite the projected upsurge, there
is a gap amongst healthcare providers about how to meet the needs of older adults
(Campos, Brasfield, & Kelly, 1989; Kane, 2004; Karel, Knight, Duffy, Hinrichsen, &
Zeiss, 2010; Qualls, Segal, Norman, Niederehe, & Gallagher-Thompson, 2002;
Wiederman & Sansone, 1999). Moreover, research indicates that as the proportion of
older adults increases, advancements in healthcare are contributing to healthy aging
and improvements in quality of life (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
*Corresponding author. Email: margaret.flaget_greener@parknicollet.com
and Therapy,
Vol. 30, No. 1, 1024, https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14681994.2014.948297
SEXUALITY & AGEING
[CDC], 2013). Research suggests that indicators of quality of life include sexual
activity (Group, 1998) and this association has also been found among older adults
(Robinson & Molzahn, 2007).
