Perceptions of sexuality in dementia: a qualitative study

Enjoyment of sexuality among older persons, including people with dementia, is always being neglected. There is limited literature exploring sexuality in dementia within Asia countries where mostly in Taiwan. This study aimed to explore opinions about sexuality in dementia from the biological, psychosocial, and social perspectives, as well as experiences and adaptations in dealing with sexuality among people with dementia, family members, caregivers, and healthcare providers. This study was carried out based on qualitative research with a phenomenological approach and used the Model of Human Occupation as a theoretical framework. Data collection was carried out at two acute hospital memory clinics in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor through convenience sampling. Semi-in-depth interviews were conducted to people with dementia, family members, and healthcare practitioners. Data were analyzed with thematic analysis. The total number of 11 participants recruited included 3 people with dementia, 2 family members, 1 private caregiver, and 5 healthcare practitioners. The majority of them are female, Chinese, in early adulthood, and middle-income group. Five themes emerged from the data analyzed: (a) meaning of sexuality; (b) real-life experience of sexuality; (c) impact of disease; (d) management of sexuality; and (e) social environment. Real-life experience of sexuality among people with dementia in Malaysia was affected by the perceptions from taboos, myths, and religions held by themselves as well as people surrounding them, like family members. Lack of training and policy is a common problem in healthcare professions. The findings of this study were believed to be a foundation for future research design involving people in long-term care as well as the public.

Text 124636.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (1MB) Official URL or Download Paper: https://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11195-026-09936...

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