Sexuality in Later Life

Older adults are sexual beings with complex sexual lives. However, this runs contrary to the stigma, stereotypes, and biases that individuals carry, society projects, and media displays. This chapter attempts to highlight the challenges and strengths encountered by older adults as they navigate not just sexual dysfunction but also sexual wellness. Using a systemic and holistic approach to understand sexual wellness, the authors, guided by theory, offer contextual understanding of the lives of older adults, provide insights into the experiences of older adults in long term care facilities, and offer an overview of methods and measures used to provide high-quality, culturally-infused, and age-informed care to older adults.