Sexuality and Aging (PDF)

aging on one’s sexuality. Although Hillman covers aspects of both women’s and men’s sexuality, readers specifically interested in women’s sexuality will find the book particularly useful. Hillman’s style and focus is best suited for clinicians working with aging and older adults; however, researchers and educators who work with older adults, and older adults themselves, may find the content particularly useful.
As adults age, clinicians typically focus on sustaining health and striving for a positive quality of life. To that end, sexuality may be ignored or thought of as irrelevant within this population. Hillman describes situations in which sexuality may be overlooked among those working with older adults or may make care providers (e.g., medical, mental health, staff, children) uncomfortable, resulting in these needs getting largely ignored. To counter such stereotypes, Hillman walks through various health issues faced by aging adults, particularly focusing on managed care facilities and nursing homes, in conjunction with sexuality.
The book is divided into 10 chapters, each describing specific health issues related to sexuality and aging; the chapters contain case studies that provide caretakers practical examples to draw from. For example, chapters 1 and 2 provide a general introduction describing baby boomers and sexual expression and diversity across the lifespan. Chapter 3 addresses caretakers’ attitudes toward sexuality and aging, focusing on the challenges of navigating older adults’ sexual expression and health. Chapter 4 provides perspectives of aging adults living in long-term care facilities, specifically highlighting the difficult role of caretakers as mental health problems set in. Chapter 4 also addresses nonconsensual sexual encounters, providing guidance for those who work with aging adults in terms of how to deal with combative adults who harass as well as protect vulnerable adults who may be at an increased risk for experiencing abuse. Chapter 5 outlines related to social and physiological aspects of sexuality, sexual health, and sexual expression and diversity among aging and older adults. This book extends beyond traditional perspectives of sexuality and delves into intricate details specific to the influence of aging on one’s sexuality. Although Hillman covers aspects of both women’s and men’s sexuality, readers specifically interested in women’s sexuality will find the book particularly useful. Hillman’s style and focus is best suited for clinicians working with aging and older adults; however, researchers and educators who work with older adults, and older adults themselves, may find the content particularly useful. As adults age, clinicians typically focus on sustaining health and striving for a positive quality of life. To that end, sexuality may be ignored or thought of as irrelevant within this population. Hillman describes situations in which sexuality may be overlooked among those working with older adults or may make care providers (e.g., medical, mental health, staff, children) uncomfortable, resulting in these needs getting largely ignored. To counter such stereotypes, Hillman walks through various health issues faced by aging adults, particularly focusing on managed care facilities and nursing homes, in conjunction with sexuality. The book is divided into 10 chapters, each describing specific health issues related to sexuality and aging; the chapters contain case studies that provide caretakers practical examples to draw from. For example, chapters 1 and 2 provide a general introduction describing baby boomers and sexual expression and diversity across the lifespan. Chapter 3 addresses caretakers’ attitudes toward sexuality and aging, focusing on the challenges of navigating older adults’ sexual expression and health. Chapter 4 provides perspectives of aging adults living in long-term care facilities, specifically highlighting the difficult role of caretakers as mental health problems set in. Chapter 4 also addresses nonconsensual sexual encounters, providing guidance for those who work with aging adults in terms of how to deal with combative adults who harass as well as protect vulnerable adults who may be at an increased risk for experiencing abuse. Chapter 5 outlines major health issues faced by many aging Americans and their impact on sexuality and sexual expression for both aging individuals and those who provide care. Chapter 6 touches on unique issues related to IV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) among aging adults. Boomers and older adults may not consider themselves at risk for HIV/AIDS and STIs, and health-care providers may fail to discuss HIV/STI prevention with this population. However, Hillman reminds readers that most aging adults are sexually active, likely not utilizing proper HIV/STI prevention measures (i.e., condoms), and thus are at risk.
Chapters 7, 8, and 9 highlight issues in sexuality and aging specifically targeting women, men, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) persons respectively. Those specifically interested in women’s sexuality will find chapter 7 particularly useful as Hillman discusses important physical changes experienced by aging women and the impact such changes can have on their sexuality. Hillman also emphasizes throughout the book that as adults age, women far outnumber men, creating a situation in which heterosexual women have less of an opportunity to find sexual and/or romantic partners. Although chapter 8 focuses on men, such information may be of interest to heterosexual women or those working with heterosexual women, as the information can help women better understand their male partners and the sexual issues they may be facing. Chapter 9 acknowledges the lack of research available on LGBT older adults, yet provides a preliminary introduction, highlighting the need to distinguish between each category of sexual minority and the need for additional research. Chapter 10 concludes the book with a discussion of contemporary issues facing older adults such as online dating, relationship variations, and sexuality at the end of life.
Sexuality and Aging: Clinical Perspectives provides an important contribution to the body of literature addressing older adult sexuality. In addition to the rich content, an important strength of this book is the countless recommendations and questions/surveys that could be utilized by healthcare providers. For example, in chapter 2, Hillman provides a self-test that older adults could utilize to assess their knowledge about sexuality, chapter 7 provides a list of common body-image concerns many aging women experience, and chapter 10 concludes with a list of practical suggestions for caregivers to consider in regard to sexuality and providing care to older adults. Another important strength is Hillman’s language choice and tone through which she subtly reminds the readers that aging is a natural part of life-span development and that sexuality is something experienced by all individuals, regardless of their age. The content, recommendations, and case study examples provided in this book are beneficial to those doing clinical work with aging adults as well as sex researchers interested in the aging and older adults."
Journal of Women & Aging, 24:351-354, 2012
Kristen N. Jozkowski, PhD
University of Arkansas