title: A patient-centred approach to sexuality in the face of life-limiting illness.
abstract: Sexuality is intrinsic to a person's sense of self and can be an intimate form of communication that helps relieve suffering and lessens the threat to personhood in the face of life-limiting illness. Health professionals struggle to accept that people with life-limiting illness, especially older people, continue to be sexual beings. People facing life-limiting illness may appreciate the opportunity to discuss issues of sexuality and intimacy with a trusted health professional. Practical strategies to assist health professionals to communicate effectively about sexuality and intimacy include creating a conducive atmosphere, initiating the topic, using open-ended questions and a non-judgmental approach, and avoiding medical jargon.
authors.affiliation: La Trobe University and Austin Health Clinical School of Nursing, PO Box 5444, Heidelberg West, Melboure, VIC 3081. a.hordern@latrobe.edu.au
authors.forename: Amanda J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hordern
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Currow
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003142:Communication; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010166:Palliative Care; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology