Sexuality in the nursing home, part 2: managing abnormal behavior--legal and ethical issues.

Everyone, regardless of age, needs love, touch, companionship, and intimacy. The 1.6 million elderly in the 20,000 U.S. nursing homes are not an exception. The literature indicates that nursing home residents continue to have an interest in sexual activity regardless of age. Sexuality, however, is frequently overlooked by physicians and staff working with nursing home residents. Many staff members have only a vague understanding of the sexual needs of the elderly. This results in a perception of residents' sexual interests as behavioral problems rather than expressions of need for love and intimacy. Inappropriate sexual behaviors in the nursing home can create an intense burden for nursing home staff. This article discusses ways to dealing with inappropriate sexual behaviors in long-term care settings and the ethical issues involved.