Sexuality of the elderly living in nursing homes is a subject ignored if not taboo. A questionnaire of 20 items was built, from the data of the literature, to highlight the existence of the sexuality at the elderly living in old people's home. Two hundred students in care of the sick answered further to their first training course in nursing homes versus medicine service, demonstrate the existence of sexuality at the elderly but forbidden in old people's home.
The obtained answers indicate that this negation of the sexuality ensues from the fact that the elderly are perceived not as subjects but as sick by their caregivers. If this position seems normal for the hospital, it is much more open to criticism in old people's home. This study confirms that there is not or too little space of intimacy in old people's homes allowing the elderly to express and to quench this fundamental need.
Keywords : Sexuality, Elderly, Institution. Summary Sexuality of the elderly living in nursing homes is a subject ignored if not taboo. Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.
Analysis of the results Question 1: have you been able to observe any seductive attitudes? Question 2: were you ever questioned about your marital status single, living together, married? Question 4: have you heard an elderly person expressing his or her regret about their great age when talking with you? Question 5: has an elderly person confided in you about having a satisfying sexual life?
Question 6: has anyone used an equivocal pet name for you sweetheart, my beauty, etc. Question 7: have you had the impression that an elderly person was undressing another person with his or her eyes?
