Sexuality, Intimacy and Dementia in Residential Care Settings

Author and educator Daniel Kuhn speaks to caregivers in this simply-produced five-part series. In the first section, Kuhn talks about dementia, which can lead to fear, loneliness, boredom, and helplessness. He shares video of a couple named Everett and Betty; the latter has Alzheimer's disease, although sex is still part of their relationship. If anything, Betty says she feels "a little greedy," possibly because she knows that it can't last. When the interviewer catches up with them six years later, sex is no longer an option due to Betty's loss of cognitive abilities. Kuhn next looks at hypersexuality, with caregivers in the audience giving examples of times they witnessed such behavior. One woman, who was 17 at the time, was almost sexually assaulted by a resident, but instead of discouraging her from continuing with residential care, she took it as a cue to work to help prevent these kinds of incidents. Kuhn encourages caregivers to inform their supervisors and to document misbehavior, especially for liability reasons. In the third section, he talks about dementia patients who think other residents are their partners when they actually already have spouses. Kuhn believes that it is more harmful to discourage these alliances than to let them run their course. As he puts it, "For two people to find each other can be very calming." In the final two sections, Kuhn discusses spousal and family responses and nonconsensual intimacy. Although this title is clearly aimed at caregivers, any viewers who are dealing with dementia in the family are sure to find helpful information here. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)