Supporting Sexual Activity in Long-Term Care
- 1 January 2008
- journal article
- case report
- Published by SAGE Publications in Nursing Ethics
- Vol. 15 (1), 87-96
- https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733007083937
Abstract
Although nurses in almost every long-term care facility face daily challenges involving issues related to residents' sexual lives, guidelines for ethically supporting sexual activity are rare and inadequate. A decision-making framework was developed to guide care providers in responding to the sexual expression of residents in long-term care. The framework recommends that nurses should weigh the documented substantial benefits of having a sexual life against harm to the resident and others, and against offence to others. This article illustrates the use of this ethical decision-making framework by using the example of nurses supporting a resident's expression of his sexuality. It is suggested that nurses use this framework to guide their practice when related ethical issues arise.Keywords
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