Nursing Home Sex

My first thought on the subject of nursing home sex is this:  If you are so ill you must be cared for in a nursing home, is sex really something your caretakers need to address???  Kansas State University sent researchers into nursing homes to find out how the topic of sex was being addressed...  (CBS)

I ran across this article, "Sex No Longer Taboo Topic At Nursing Homes" and it reminded me of a previous article I posted about a man having sex in a nursing home with his wife, who happened to be in a coma.  Just a little creepy to me...

Husband has sex with comatose wife in her nursing home room.    The staff call the authorities.   The police obtained a search warrant to videotape the room and installed a hidden camera and taped the man having sex with his comatose wife.   The Court says police illegally taped the nursing home sexual encounter.

Johnson's wife was admitted to the nursing home after suffering a stroke. Court records say she was unable to speak or sit up, and nursing home staff members fed, cleaned and turned her. Prosecutors say she was comatose.

Johnson visited her frequently and sometimes would close the door to her room so they could have privacy as allowed by the nursing home. But staff members tipped off police, fearing she was in danger because, they suspected, he was having sex with her.

This brings us back to the Kansas State University study:

In response, the researchers have produced seminars and training aids to encourage nursing home caregivers to discuss and accommodate sexual desires.

The effort brings Kansas into a national discussion that advocates say will only grow as baby boomers age and take their beliefs about sexual freedom and civil rights into the nation's nursing homes.

"It wasn't like we hadn't cared for these needs in the past, but it was liberating to some folks to have an open discussion with university researchers," Claassen said. "It empowered people to think about how they could help folks."

Doll said the training focuses on explaining what sexuality means for older adults, identifying barriers to fulfilling the sexual needs, finding strategies to help residents, and how to discern appropriate from inappropriate sexual behaviors.

Solutions can be as simple as providing "do not disturb" signs or making sure staffers don't barge into residents' rooms without knocking. Claassen said her nursing home provides a discreet room for residents and has staff work through possible scenarios they may encounter.

Sometimes, it's as simple as arranging a bed for someone who needs physical therapy in a way that also allows that patient to be with his or her companion, she said.  (continue reading)

I'm wondering if "nursing home" is being confused with a senior assisted living facility.  There is a big difference in the two

What say you?

Comments

[Steve Harkonnen]

Wow, great question and very interesting post. Sure, there's a difference, but how do we really know? the media report could've been deliberately distorted for all we know.

But this case opens up new legal issues. Is having sex with one's wife who is comatose, consensual sex? And, there really should be no difference if it takes place in the bedroom or in some other home or whatever.

The big question that begs to be asked is:

If your wife is comatose, is having sex with her technically rape since she is unable to consent?

[Mushy]

I have mixed feelings about it...on the one hand, always wanted a woman who'd never say "no", even in a coma! I mean, at least they were married!

One the other hand, there is the issue of getting permission!

I kind of feel sorry for him...at least he remained faithful...right?

[Terri]

Humm... I don't know??

They are married...

she'd most likely have relations w/ him if she were awake...

I'd say something funny.. but I better not..

snort

[Always On Watch]

It's creepy. Not quite as bad as having sex with a cadaver, but still abnormal, IMO.

[Hidden Spy Camera]

Talk about creepy, weird or both. That's what makes the world go round.

[Spy Cameras]

Yeah I would have to say that if the wife is comatose then sex is something that should not be possible. I mean it takes consent, and being married is not consent.