ABSTRACT
Older people living in residential aged care face numerous social, physical, attitudinal and structural challenges to one of the most basic human needs: sexual expression. The aim of this chapter is to provide a greater appreciation of these barriers and their causes, with reference to the latest social scientific research. The chapter begins with a brief discussion of the stereotypes that exist about older people and sexuality, before challenging these stereotypes with research evidence. Finally, we discuss older people and sexuality in residential aged care, including people living with dementia.
