Assessments of institutionalized dementia patients' competencies to participate in intimate relationships.
Although sexual interests in institutionalized elderly patients have long been recognized (Comfort, 1974; Wasow & Loeb, 1974), guidelines to help determine patients' competencies to participate in intimate relationships are not delineated in the literature. This paper describes the assessment technique used by an interdisciplinary staff on a coed Alzheimer's disease unit. Two case studies are presented to highlight how the assessment led to the treatment decisions.
Lichtenberg
P A
PA
Western State Hospital, Staunton, VA 24401.
Strzepek
D M
DM
D000368:Aged; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology*; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012725:Sexual Behavior