AIM: To investigate if, when and how assessments regarding residents' sexual health and needs occur within Australian residential aged care facilities. METHOD: A census of all Australian residential aged care facilities was conducted. A survey developed specifically for the project was posted to all 2766 residential aged care services in Australia. Eight weeks were allowed for the return of surveys. RESULTS: A total of 1094 completed surveys were returned, representing a 39.7% response rate. The type of information most often collected concerned disruptive sexual behaviour, and assessments most frequently occurred following disruptive behaviour. One-quarter of facilities reported having a sexual health/needs assessment form, although only 10 facilities provided evidence of this. CONCLUSION: Survey responses indicated that sexual health and needs are not routinely assessed in residential aged care, and facilities do not commonly have a dedicated sexual health/needs assessment form to guide them through an assessment process.
AIM: To investigate if, when and how assessments regarding residents' sexual health and needs occur within Australian residential aged care facilities. METHOD: A census of all Australian residential aged care facilities was conducted. A survey developed specifically for the project was posted to all 2766 residential aged care services in Australia. Eight weeks were allowed for the return of surveys. RESULTS: A total of 1094 completed surveys were returned, representing a 39.7% response rate. The type of information most often collected concerned disruptive sexual behaviour, and assessments most frequently occurred following disruptive behaviour. One-quarter of facilities reported having a sexual health/needs assessment form, although only 10 facilities provided evidence of this. CONCLUSION: Survey responses indicated that sexual health and needs are not routinely assessed in residential aged care, and facilities do not commonly have a dedicated sexual health/needs assessment form to guide them through an assessment process.
Authors: Maria Horne; Jane Youell; Laura J E Brown; Paul Simpson; Tommy Dickinson; Christine Brown-Wilson Journal: Age Ageing Date: 2021-05-05 Impact factor: 10.668