Let's talk about sex: Dr Nathalie Huitema on sexuality, ageing and consent

The sexual rights - and therefore the human rights - of older adults with dementia are at stake.

And it's time for the aged care industry to learn how to support them.

That's according to sexologist and psychologist Dr Nathalie Huitema, a Netherlands-born, US-based expert on the intersection of sexuality, ageing and consent.

Those who work on the coal face of aged care will know that the need for intimacy isn't left behind when residents enter care.

But behaviour considered quite normal in society can, in a residential aged care setting, come to be categorised as abnormal, unacceptable, or even deviant.

The presence of dementia adds a whole other layer of complication.

But at the centre of all of this is a person, potentially one living with cognitive decline, and that is the person Nathalie wants to understand and defend.

Nathalie will discuss some of the complexities around this topic when she speaks at our upcoming International Dementia Conference 2024, to be held on 5-6 September at the Hilton, Sydney.

She brings over 15 years of practical expertise to her field, acquired through her work in long-term care in the Netherlands.

“The decline in cognitive ability is often considered equal to an inability to consent to sexual behaviour,” points out Nathalie.

“Unfortunately, it is common for healthcare professionals to overlook the sexual consent of individuals living in long-term care with cognitive impairments.

“While striving for a risk-free existence might seem appealing, I believe that eliminating all risks results in a life lacking fulfilment.”

It is common for healthcare professionals to overlook the sexual consent of individuals living in long-term care with cognitive impairments.

Dr Nathalie Huitema

Instead, she argues, we should seek a balance between risk mitigation and enhancing quality of life.

Nathalie will not only be a plenary speaker at #IDC2024, but will also take part in a panel discussion on the topic that will include the voices of people living with dementia.

She intends to share a more nuanced ‘sexual consent potential’ model that can be used to dive into this grey area.

“Despite a general decline in executive functioning and memory, many individuals with dementia retain their emotional capacity, automatic motor skills, and the ability to live in the moment,” Nathalie points out.

“This means they can enjoy and feel affection in relationships, even if they cannot articulate the past or future of those connections.”

Make sure you're there to catch the whole discussion on this important topic.

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