Exploratory study of Australian aged care staff knowledge and attitudes of later life sexuality.
OBJECTIVE
To explore aged care staff knowledge and attitudes towards later life sexuality and attitudes about intimacy in people with dementia.


METHODS
Fifty-two care staff working in two aged care facilities with secure dementia care units were recruited. Knowledge and attitudes on later life sexuality and attitudes towards later life sexuality in people with dementia were surveyed using the Aging Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes Scale and the selected eight items of the Staff Attitudes about Intimacy and Dementia, respectively.


RESULTS
The results indicated that aged care staff knowledge of later life sexuality is inadequate, but attitudes towards later life sexuality and about intimacy and dementia were relatively permissive.


CONCLUSIONS
Improving aged care staff knowledge of later life sexuality is needed. Continuing education and training should provide to support the expression of later life sexuality including those with dementia.
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Yung-Hui
YH
Chen
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.|Centre for Health Practice Innovation, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Cindy
C
Jones
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Debora
D
Osborne
D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019529:Sexuality
aged care; aged care staff; dementia; older people; sexuality