Sexual Desire and Behavior of Residents at Nursing Homes

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Sexual Problems of the elderly carry weight with the quality of life. Sexual desire and behavior among the aged in the community are well known, but not at nursing homes. METHODS: The study subjects were 131 residents at two nursing homes in Po-hang and Gyeong-ju city from May 1st 2007 to May 22nd 2007. We interviewed the residents using 10-items which were made by investigators. 31 subjects were excluded due to impossible interview. We analyzed 100 subjects. RESULTS: Subjects were 45% men and 55% women, aged 63 to 92 and the mean age was 77 years old. Men and Women felt sexual desires in 64.4% and 18.2%, performed sexual activity in 35.6% and 5.5%. Obscene jokes and patting were common among sexual behaviors. CONCLUSION: Men's sexual desire was much higher than women, but sexual behaviors were rare in all subjects except obscene jokes.