title: Assessment of sexual health and sexual needs in residential aged care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate if, when and how assessments regarding residents' sexual health and needs occur within Australian residential aged care facilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  A census of all Australian residential aged care facilities was conducted. A survey developed specifically for the project was posted to all 2766 residential aged care services in Australia. Eight weeks were allowed for the return of surveys.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1094 completed surveys were returned, representing a 39.7% response rate. The type of information most often collected concerned disruptive sexual behaviour, and assessments most frequently occurred following disruptive behaviour. One-quarter of facilities reported having a sexual health/needs assessment form, although only 10 facilities provided evidence of this.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Survey responses indicated that sexual health and needs are not routinely assessed in residential aged care, and facilities do not commonly have a dedicated sexual health/needs assessment form to guide them through an assessment process.
authors.affiliation: Australian Centre for Evidence Based Aged Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McAuliffe
authors.affiliation: Australian Centre for Evidence Based Aged Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.affiliation: Australian Centre for Evidence Based Aged Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Deirdre
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fetherstonhaugh
authors.affiliation: Australian Centre for Evidence Based Aged Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chenco
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: ageing; assessment; residential aged care; sexual health; sexuality